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Sax and Violence
Today, it's the sax versus the trumpet. In our weekly Soundcheck Smackdown debate we ask which instrument rules jazz. Also: Branford Marsalis joins us to discuss his new album and the secret to his band's longevity. Plus: composer, conductor and avant-garde icon Pierre Boulez shares his appreciation of Mahler.
Soundcheck Smackdown: Sax or Trumpet?
One means John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins and is nicknamed the Devil’s Horn. The other is tied to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, and also with black masculinity. We’ll debate which instrument had the greater impact in jazz with saxophonist Branford Marsalis and jazz critic Will Layman.
Branford Marsalis
In a jazz world where musical promiscuity is the rule, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has been together for ten years. They celebrate the anniversary with a new album, Metamorphosen, and Grammy award-winner sax player and composer Branford Marsalis joins us to talk about it.
Pierre Boulez
The French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez was once the enfant terrible of classical music, an icon to modernist hardliners and uncompromising champion of the most complex music since World War II. Now in his 80s, he’s conducting the traditional music he once militantly opposed, including the symphonies of Mahler. He tells us about Mahler’s appeal and about his own career evolution.
Pierre Boulez's MySpace
More about Pierre Boulez's Mahler Cycle
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Join us Tuesday, Nov. 10 at The Greene Space
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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The Ill Effects of Urban Noise
Soundcheck
Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.
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