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Side by Side on the Piano Keyboard
If you want to spark a great romance, or improve your bond with a sibling, try starting a piano duo. A team of British researchers have found out why piano duos represent the ultimate in musical - and personal - collaboration. Joining us are music psychologist Marilyn Blank and the piano duo of Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Ho reveal the secrets to musical partnerships. Also: Nick Cave talks about his multi-faceted pursuits -- songwriter, novelist, film-score composer, screenwriter, and owner of one awesome porn-star mustache.
Four Hands, Two Pianos, One Relationship
Next week, the world's biggest competition for piano duos gets underway in Miami and it affords a perfect opportunity to explore this unique musical medium. Marilyn Blank, a pianist and music psychologist, talks about her research into the social dynamics of a piano duo. And the duo piano team Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Ho talks about building a career and managing a relationship – and they perform live in the studio.
DUO: Pianists Stephanie Ho and Saar Ahuvia
Barbara Silverstone and Marilyn Blank Duo
More on Marilyn Blank's piano duo study
Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition
Nick Cave
Nick Cave scored an unlikely (and potty-mouthed) hit last year with the debut of his side project, Grinderman. Now, the 50-year-old Australian songwriter is back with his longtime backing band, the Bad Seeds, for "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" Good news: Grinderman’s howling rage has rubbed off on Cave's longtime ensemble.
Nick Cave's Web site
Video: "Dig!! Lazarus, Dig!!!"
Video: Cave summons "spirits" to promote album
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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.
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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.
