Progressive bluegrass group The Punch Brothers most recent album is 'Who's Feeling Young Now?'.

#3675: New Music for Banjo and Mandolin

New Sounds | Apr 13, 2016

Generally associated with traditional American string band and bluegrass music, the banjo and mandolin can actually be very versatile and progressive. We'll hear tracks from the Punch Brothers' brand new Phosphorescent Blues album, where they take on 2 classical works by Claude Debussy and Alexander Scriabin and also feature their own original songs. Tony Trischka digs into the African roots of the banjo and Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital takes on a traditional Bulgarian tune. Husband and wife banjo duo Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn play the old folk tune "Pretty Polly."

Jake Schepps does something unusual by commissioning classical music composers for his traditional bluegrass ensemble. We'll feature works for this group written by Marc Mellits and Matt McBane. Also crossing to the dark side from the classical world is cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a bluegrass band with mandolinist Chris Thile (also featured with the Punch Brothers in this episode), fiddler Stuart Duncan, and bassist Edgar Meyer with The Goat Rodeo Sessions.

PROGRAM #3675 New music for Banjo and Mandolin (First aired on 12/18/2014)  

ARTIST: Punch Brothers
WORK: Passepied (Debussy) [3:30]
RECORDING: Phosphorescent Blues
SOURCE: Nonesuch Records 546377
INFO: nonesuch.com

ARTIST: Punch Brothers
WORK: My Oh My [4:19]
RECORDING: Phosphorescent Blues
SOURCE: Nonesuch Records 546377
INFO: nonesuch.com

ARTIST: Tony Trischka
WORK: Alfa Ya Ya [3:04]
RECORDING: World Turning
SOURCE: Rounder Select
INFO: Available at Amazon.com

ARTIST: Avi Avital
WORK: Bucimis [3:00]
RECORDING: Between Worlds
SOURCE: Deutsche Grammaphon 4791069
INFO: Available at Amazon.com

ARTIST: Ellipsis
WORK: Lebadang [6:44]
RECORDING: Ellipsis
SOURCE: Flying Fish 339
INFO: Out of print.  Try auction sites.

ARTIST: Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn
WORK: Pretty Polly [3:43]
RECORDING: Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn
SOURCE: Rounder Records
INFO: Available at Amazon.com

ARTIST: Punch Brothers
WORK: Familiarity [10:22]
RECORDING: Phosphorescent Blues
SOURCE: Nonesuch Records 546377
INFO: nonesuch.com

ARTIST: Jake Schepps Quintet
WORK: Matt McBane: Drawn I: Flourish [4:38]
RECORDING: Entwined
SOURCE: jakeschepps.bandcamp.com

ARTIST: Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer
WORK: Less is Moi, excerpt [7:27]
RECORDING: The Goat Rodeo Sessions
SOURCE: Sony Masterworks
INFO: Amazon.com

ARTIST: Jake Schepps Quintet
WORK: Marc Mellits: Flatiron: I. Tension Hoop [3:09]
RECORDING: Entwined
SOURCE: jakeschepps.bandcamp.com

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

Rahm Emanuel Says Israel’s Path Is “Not Sustainable Politically.” Plus, the Critic Richard Brody on “The Odyssey”

A likely Democratic presidential candidate says the U.S. must end unconditional support for Israel. Emanuel explains his proposal for Middle East peace, and his position on trans rights.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

Smoke-filled skies are new normal for NYC summers, experts warn

Climate change has caused wildfires in Canada to grow more frequent and more intense, which creates a viscous cycle as the blazes pump more carbon into the atmosphere.
Gothamist |

From Subpoenas to Cockroaches: Journalist Intimidation 101

Plus, a documentary about the eBay stalking scandal.
On the Media |

Join us for a live series on what it means to make New York more affordable

We’re holding community events across New York City, “In Conversation: The Affordability Series,” through the rest of the year to explore real solutions to issues affecting millions of New Yorkers.
Gothamist |
YOU ARE ONLINE