Sounds of the City

Soundcheck | May 3, 2010

A small plaza in Lower Manhattan, just outside the World Financial Center, has become a stage for a unique sound installation, designed by Bruce Odland and Sam Auinger. Titled "Blue Moon" it uses three "tuning tubes," and transforms ambient city noise into music in real-time, mixed by the moon and tides. As the tides rise and fall the mix of tuning tubes changes key, modulating with the orbits and cycles of the moon. John Schaefer pays a visit to the installation and speaks with Odland. Also on the show: Elvis Costello has written his first full-length orchestral composition“Il Sogno”and it is conductor Brad Lubman’s job to bring it life. Lubman, a professor of conducting at Eastman, conducts the American premiere with the Brooklyn Philharmonic this weekend at the Lincoln Center Festival and he joins us today with a preview.
Additional Resources:
» Brad Lubman’s bio
» Bruce Odland’s Web site

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