wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Soundcheck

Tuesday, August 21, 2007
  • Fear and Loathing on the Podium

    Conductors used to be larger-than-life dictators who terrorized orchestras. But as recent conductor appointments by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic demonstrate, maestros are getting younger and more accessible. Today, we examine why the days of the conductor-as-tyrant are over. Also: Jazz saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart was raised by a black Guadeloupean mother and a French Jewish father. He mixes African funk, jazz and Guadeloupe's gwoka rhythms on his new album, Soné Ka La.

Better Conduct?

Today's orchestra conductors can't be the dictators of the past. We find out why when we speak with Oliver Condy, editor of BBC Music Magazine; James Conlon, the music director of Los Angeles Opera who also teaches conducting at Juilliard; and Samuel Magad, the former concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

James Conlon bio
BBC Music Magazine's Web site
Samuel Magad bio

Jacques Schwarz-Bart

Jacques Schwarz-Bart, a New York-based saxophonist and composer, joins us to talk about Soné Ka-La, his unusual new album that fuses gwoka music from Guadeloupe with jazz.

Jacques Schwarz-Bart's Web site

The Swell Season in The Greene Space

Soundcheck

Joshua Bell in The Greene Space

Soundcheck