Waitin' On The World To Change

Something you never knew you always wanted to do:
New York Polyphony's Gregorian Chant Remix Opportunity

It's a contest (deadline June 20, 2011), and there are some pretty major prizes (including $500 and a release on Sony's Classical Music Online label Ariama). Not to mention the everlasting glory.

The best part about all this, though, is that there are already more than 600 entries - many of which you can hear on the contest's website here, here, and here. Some of these entries are clearly by professionals, and some are (clearly) not. Some are heavy on the synthesizers and drum kits, and some are simple a capella arrangements of the stem chant. In sum: there's a huge variety of work being submitted, and much of it is tagged with encouraging comments from other entrants. [Gregorian chant: bringing us together since Pippin the Short?]

"We like to have something of an urban vibe to the way we’re bringing this really ancient music to modern audiences,” Geoffrey Williams, New York Polyphony’s countertenor, said in a WQXR interview. These remixes may not be conducive to strict performance practice, but I think the excitement this contest has generated - and the community it has (even temporarily) created - is well worth the lapse.


(via WQXR)

Around The World / Around The World

World Music on BBC Radio 3

Organized by country, these radio programmes (I mean, they are English after all) are a little bit explanation, a little bit music, and entirely recorded on location by the BBC. Zanzibar, Cuba, Turkmenistan, the first ever radio broadcast in North Korea - more than 40 countries are represented.

(via openculture)

Eight Nine Spoof Of My Inner Youth

Oh, NPR. Another Lady Gaga spoof - but I just can't keep myself from posting them!



(via lifesapitch)

On the Radio / Oh Oh

Have you ever wondered what kind of music is playing in Amsterdam / Moscow / Birmingham / Istanbul / Rio de Janeiro RIGHT NOW?

CitySounds.fm collects electronica-leaning tracks produced / selected / uploaded in cities around the world and streams them to you. Très bien! / Sehr gut! / Very good! I'm in a "Chicago" mood today.

(This / is / a / post / full / of / slash / marks.)