The pleasures and pains of translation. Cognitive and computer scientist Douglas Hofstadter on why he likes to re-write poetry and lyrics. Los Angeles Times Book Review editor Steve Wasserman on the politics of translation. Writer Jonathan Ames, speaking the language of caffeine. And singer Barbara Cook, who makes other people’s great songs into her own great songs.
Without Translation
There is growing discontent among writers and scholars about the dearth of literary translations published in the United States. Los Angeles Times Book Review editor Steve Wasserman discusses what’s at stake. Also, excerpts from a reading at the Kitchen, a Manhattan performance space, of literature from the “Axis of Evil.” ...
You’re the Steam… in my Cappuccino
Indiana University Professor of Cognitive Science and Computer Science Douglas Hofstadter is famous for his book on translation, Le Ton beau de Marot: In Praise of the Musicality of Language. More recently, he and his students have been at work “translating” Cole Porter’s “You’re the Top” to make it more ...
Cole Porter, 1937
Fiction, derived in part from fact, about the unpredictable nature of the creative process. Written and read by John Haskell.
Fishing for a Song
Even the best of singers have to stumble around before they find “their” rendition of a song. And sometimes, it hides itself pretty well, as Next Big Thing contributor Jesse Green found out in rehearsal with legendary singer Barbara Cook. Produced by Emily Botein.
Sandwiched
Heard on the street: a curator sandwiched between his artists’ visions (in placard form), and the people who pass by him on the Fulton Mall in Brooklyn. Produced by Jill Krauss.
Caffeine Makeover
A story of transformation – before Jonathan Ames has had his first cup of coffee in the morning, and after.
Not Spain
Postcards from Spain, or from a place that sounds like Spain. Sent to us by Natalie Kestecher, who wrote and produced the piece for the Australian Broadcasting Company’s series “Radio Eye.” The male voice belongs to Javier LaTorre. Sound by Roi Huberman and Judy Rapely. Poetry by Pablo ...
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