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Bill Viola, Night Journey, 2005, video installation. (Kira Perov. Image courtesy of James Cohan Gallery, New York)Ring Bearers
Composer Howard Shore was influenced by ancient mythology when writing the film score to "The Lord of the Rings," Peter Jackson's film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy -- just as Richard Wagner was when he wrote his "Ring" Cycle 150 years ago. This weekend the Collegiate Chorale performs excerpts from Wagner's "Ring" and Shore's "Lord of the Rings Symphony," a six-movement work created from the movie scores. Joining us to discuss Rings past and present are Shore, Collegiate Chorale director Robert Bass, and soprano Christine Goerke, who performs live in the WNYC studio. Also on the show: a conversation with video artist Bill Viola, who has collaborated on a new production of Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde" with director Peter Sellars.
Bill Viola
The video artist Bill Viola discusses creating a Tristan und Isolde for the 21st century.
» Bill Viola Web site
» James Cohan Gallery Web site
Ring Cycles
Composer Howard Shore, conductor Robert Bass and soprano Christine Goerke discuss the parallels between Wagner's Ring and Tolkien's.
» Collegiate Chorale Web site
» OneRing.net
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
Soundcheck
John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
Soundcheck
The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
- Comments [7]
Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
Soundcheck
Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
- Comments [1]
In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
- Comments [3]
In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.