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Soundcheck

Tuesday, April 08, 2008
  • Herbert Von Karajan
    (AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

    Maestro or Monster?

    For decades, conductor Herbert Von Karajan was the most powerful man in classical music. He also had a dangerous ego and a link to the Nazi Party. Today on Soundcheck, it’s another Soundcheck Smackdown, as critics debate Karajan’s legacy. Later: After releasing a critically acclaimed debut, indie quartet Tapes n Tapes is back with an album called "Walk It Off." They play live in our studio. Plus: composer David Lang joins us to talk about winning the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for music.

Lang Wins Pulitzer Prize

The Pulitzer Prize for music was awarded to composer David Lang for "The Little Match Girl Passion." The piece premiered on Oct. 25, 2007 at Carnegie Hall. Lang joins us to talk about the award.

More about "The Little Match Girl Passion"

Soundcheck Smackdown: Herbert Von Karajan

The powerful conductor Herbert Von Karajan ruled over major orchestras and released more than 800 recordings. Once a member of the Nazi party, he also possessed a dangerous ego and ambition like no other artist. British music critic Norman Lebrecht and Pulitzer Prize-winning classical music critic Tim Page engage in a lively Soundcheck Smackdown debate over Karajan's legacy, one hundred years after his birth.

Weigh in: What do you think of Herbert Von Karajan?

Norman Lebrecht on Herbert Von Karajan

Tapes n Tapes

Two years ago, Minneapolis-based indie group Tapes n Tapes scored a hit with their debut, "The Loon," often drawing comparisons to Pavement and the Pixies. The group explains how they approached rock music's most arduous task: the sophomore album. And, they play songs from "Walk It Off" live in our studio.

Tapes n Tapes website

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.