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Soundcheck

Tuesday, November 13, 2007
  • Caravaggio Judith

    Vivaldi's Young Star

    The Baroque genius Antonio Vivaldi composed much of his work for an all-female orchestra and chorus based at an orphanage. Today on Soundcheck, the author of a new historical novel talks about the girl who was Vivaldi’s star pupil. Plus, the 27-year-old Russian pianist Yevgeny Sudbin is already known for his powerhouse keyboard style. He performs live in our studio. And later: guest reviewer Peter Morén of the Swedish band Peter, Bjorn and John joins us for Soundcheck’s Picks of the Week.

Coming of Age in Vivaldi's Shadow

Antonio Vivaldi's career was marked by his tenure at Ospedale della Pietà, a convent orphanage and music school. He taught music to girls, directed an all-female orchestra and chorus, and composed much of his work while there. His favorite pupil was Anna Maria, to whom he dedicated 30 concertos. Writer Barbara Quick, author of Vivaldi’s Virgins, follows Anna’s life in a time of wild extremes and intriguing mysteries.

Vivaldi's Virgins on Amazon.com

Peter Moren

Soundcheck Picks: Peter Morén

This week, Peter Morén of the Swedish rock band Peter, Bjorn and John weighs in with music picks from every corner of the musical universe. He explains how an indie-rock book, an East Village basement, and a San Francisco record store helped these discs find their way into his heart:

Various Artists, Origins of Guitar Music in Southern Congo & Northern Zambia

"Origins of Guitar Music" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Mission of Burma, “Signals, Calls, and Marches”

"Signals, Calls, and Marches" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Foreign Born, “On The Wing Now”

"On The Wing Now" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Milton Nascimento, “Clube Da Esquina”

"Clube Da Esquina" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Peter Morén is the vocalist and guitarist for the Swedish rock band Peter, Bjorn and John. The group’s latest album is Writer’s Block.

Yevgeny Sudbin

Russian pianist Yevgeny Sudbin was called "potentially one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century" by the London Daily Telegraph. The 27-year-old performs live in our studio.

Yevgeny Sudbin performs tonight at 8 p.m., as part of the Metropolitan Museum's Piano Forte series.

Yevgeny Sudbin website
More info about the Met Museum performance

When I Missed the Boat

Soundcheck

How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.

Johnny Flynn

Soundcheck

Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."

Ahmad Jamal

Soundcheck

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.