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Soundcheck

Tuesday, November 11, 2003
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  • Eos Orchestra

    Film-Harmonic

    The classical music establishment has rediscovered film music as a serious art form, but rarely do film and orchestra meet in concert. Today on Soundcheck we look at two ensembles that are finding inspiration in the interplay of film and concert stages. Jonathan Sheffer, artistic director of the Eos Orchestra sheds light on his ensemble’s uses of the celluloid image. And Joshua Cody, director of the Ensemble Sospeso gives us a sneak preview of the contemporary-music group’s new program of multimedia works at the Angel Orensanz Center – one that includes Tibetan chant, a sitcom laugh track, hardcore punk, electronica, John Cage, and flamenco. Speaking of visually-oriented concerts, Billboard’s Anastasia Tsioulcas drops by with a review of Satalla, a psychedelic new venue for world-music performances.

Additional Resources:
  • More about Satalla
  • More about Eos Orchestra More about Ensemble Sospeso
    • audience

    Soundcheck Smackdown: When Contemporary Met Classical

    Soundcheck

    Like vegetables stuck into a delicious meal, contemporary classical music is forced on concert audiences before they are allowed to enjoy their Brahms. So says humorist, critic and author Joe Queenan. Today, Queenan and John Berry, Artistic Director with English National Opera, join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on the merits of contemporary music.

    musical clouds

    You Are What You Hear

    Soundcheck

    Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi takes us through some of the most famously botched song lyrics in rock history. We’ll explore why the words we make up are usually more interesting than the real version. Then, listeners confess their favorite and most embarrassing reinvented lyrics.

    Leave a comment: Give us your favorite set of misheard lyrics! Were you disappointed when you learned the actual words?

    Rosanne Cash and Mark O'Connor

    Soundcheck

    For her, he was a father. For him, he was a boyhood hero. For the nation, he was an icon. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and composer and violinist Mark O'Connor join us to talk about how Johnny Cash has inspired their musical collaboration. And they will play live.

    Katy

    Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll

    Soundcheck

    Every year, popular and critical opinion somehow converge to settle on a "summer song." In 2007, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, it was "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. The practice stretches back to the very dawn of pop radio. Yet defining the essence of a "summer song" is a bit elusive. We enlist the help of Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman -- and of our Soundcheck listeners, in an online poll.

    Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008

    Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.

    Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,

    1. The Brian Lehrer Show: Mens' Work (08/14/2008)
    2. The Leonard Lopate Show: JFK's Right-Hand Man (08/14/2008)
    3. The Brian Lehrer Show: Governor's Mention (08/18/2008)
    4. The Brian Lehrer Show: Unconventional (08/19/2008)
    5. The Brian Lehrer Show: Sample Mix (08/15/2008)
    6. The Leonard Lopate Show: Cut in Two (08/15/2008)
    7. The Leonard Lopate Show: Rule of Law (08/18/2008)