On Demand
Soundcheck
-

Is Communism Good for the Arts?
Communism’s been responsible for many of the world’s greatest civil rights abuses but without it we wouldn’t have Shostakovich symphonies, Milos Forman films, or Chinese ballet. Today on Soundcheck: we look at whether Communism is good, or bad, for arts. Also: Jazz pianist Kenny Werner performs live in our studio.
Is Communism Good for the Arts?
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Russian Revolution we look at the affects of communism on the arts.
Solomon Volkov, the musicologist and author of several books about Shostakovich, talks about how Soviet Russia fueled the struggle faced by Shostakovich and his contemporaries; Bright Sheng, a Chinese-born, American-based composer talks about the conditions he dealt with while growing up during the Cultural Revolution; and Robin Moore, author of "Music and Revolution: Cultural Change and Socialist Cuba," talks about the fascinating links between cultural and political activity in post-Revolutionary Cuba.
Kenny Werner
Jazz pianist and composer Kenny Werner joins us to talk about putting together a heavy-weight quintet for his new record: Lawn Chair Society. He plays live solo in our studio.
- About this program
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Latest Episode
- Internship
- Tapes and Transcripts
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Soundcheck Blog
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.
More
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 [6]
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.