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Soundcheck

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
  • Leonard Bernstein
    The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

    The Real Leonard Bernstein

    It's the first day of "Our Lenny," WNYC's Leonard Bernstein festival. Today, we start the conversation with a look at the late musician's influence as a conductor, composer, and media superstar. Also: the Tucson-based band Calexico writes songs in a genre that could be called "Southwest noir." The group talks about their latest album, "Carried to Dust," and performs live.

Leonard Bernstein

Bernstein: The Best and Beyond

Kicking off WNYC's Bernstein festival, "Our Lenny," a trio of experts talk about where the musician's influence was greatest - and where he fell short. Joining us is the conductor and former Bernstein student JoAnn Faletta, Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic Tim Page, and New York Times music critic Allan Kozinn.

WNYC's "Our Lenny" Festival


Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Leonard Bernstein
Tell us: Do you have any Bernstein memories? What do you think he means to today’s musicians?
Calexico

Calexico

Hailing from Tuscan, Ariz., the band Calexico blends the sounds of Tex-Mex, Sergio Leone and straight-up indie rock. They share their latest album, "Carried to Dust."

Calexico plays tonight at Webster Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Calexico site

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.

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.

In Studio: Stephanie McKay

Soundcheck

The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.

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.