Soundcheck

For Classical Gamers, a 'Baton Hero'

Friday, May 16, 2008

If you’ve ever dreamed of leading an orchestra on stage, now you can satisfy your urge. Today: a look at UBS Virtual Maestro, a videogame that indulges would-be Leonard Bernsteins. Also: we take a look at the Asimo, Honda's humanoid robot, which made its conducting debut Tuesday at Orchestra Hall, leading the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Finally: The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble mixes a brass band sound with improvisation and funk. They join us for a live performance.

Poll: How do you get your music fix?: Tell us how you spend your money on songs, albums and concerts in a Soundcheck poll.

Listen to the whole show

Virtual Maestro

If you’ve ever dreamed of leading an orchestra on stage, there's a new video game to satisfy your urge. The UBS Virtual Maestro allows would-be Leonard Bernsteins to lead their own "virtual orchestra" via an Nintendo Wii controller. As the game currently tours concert halls across the U.S., we hear from one of its developers, Yuri Ivanov.

Our blog: John Schaefer on "toying" with musical skills

Tell us: Are music simulators good or bad for music? Can they spark new interest, or do they "cheapen" the study of music?

Video: Asimo conducts the Detroit Symphony
Video: The Virtual Maestro

... And a Robot Maestro

Now there's another reason for conductors to be concerned about job security: On Tuesday night, Asimo, a 4-foot-3-inch Hondo robot led the Detroit Symphony in a performance of "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha." Detroit Free Press music critic Mark Stryker tells us about it.

Detroit Free Press article on "Asimo"

The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble

The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble is a Boston-based, New Orleans-inspired collective that mixes the brass band sound with improvisation and funk. They join us for a live performance.

The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble perform at their CD release party tonight at Drom at 8pm.

Revolutionary Snake Ensemble on Myspace