Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'sparkling'

Classical Teens, Superstar Sparkle In Boston

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:32:00 EDT

From Boston's New England Conservatory, an 18-year-old pianist plays Chopin, a teen string quartet performs Beethoven and renowned violinist Hilary Hahn collaborates with young musicians who are just about the age she was when her concert career took off.

Jeff Hanson: 'Nothing Would Matter At All'

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:41:00 EDT

Singer-songwriter Jeff Hanson has one of the most incredible and unique voices you will ever hear. That is, from a guy. Upon hearing Hanson's third full-length record, Madam Owl, the first thing anyone will notice is the singer's impossibly high voice that sounds more like that of a highly skilled female vocalist (or maybe a eunuch) than a 30 year old man. But if you listen closer, there is far more to Hanson's music than his beautiful singing. The warm strings and acoustic guitars that back his sparkling falsetto are equally as dramatic, and the sound he has created is huge and anthemic in spite of his modest solo artist ouevre.

Verdi's 'Falstaff': Comic Depth (and Girth)

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:42:00 EDT

Verdi might have been close to 80 when he composed Falstaff, but with music that sparkles at a breakneck pace, he proved he had not lost his golden touch. Bryn Terfel stars in the title role in a Welsh National Opera production.

Talented Teens Shine at Ravinia

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:37:00 EDT

This week's From the Top comes from the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois, where an 11-year-old violinist from Seattle plays introspective music by Ernest Bloch, a 17-year-old Chinese-born percussionist delivers a sparkling marimba solo, and a passionate 18-year-old pianist from Berkeley, California, plays Schumann. This program originally aired November 14, 2007.

Five Myths About Drinking Water

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:26:00 EDT

Is bottled water better for you than tap? Or should you choose vitamin-enriched water over sparkling? Experts say, skip it all. None of these products are likely to make you any healthier.

Europeans, Americans Battle in 'Champagne' Wars

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:56:00 EST

European and American makers of sparkling wine are fighting over the use of the word "champagne." Europeans argue that unless it's made in the Champagne region of France, it ought to be called something else.

Warming Spurs Action from Spanish Winemakers

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST

In the vineyards of the Penedes Valley, makers of the sparkling wine known as "cava" are taking steps to address the effects of climate change on their product. They are adding nutrients to the soil, using satellites to monitor vineyard conditions and trying new grape varieties.

Rogue Wave: Sparkling Indie-Pop

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:08:00 EDT

Founded in 2002 by leader Zach Rogue, the indie-rock band Rogue Wave started when the newly unemployed Rogue went to New York to put together material that would later become the group's debut. Hear an interview and in-studio performance.

Crowded House Won't 'Stop' Sparkling Sadly

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:25:00 EDT

An air of regret often hangs over the group's bittersweet reunion album, Time on Earth. Still, "Don't Stop Now" more than lives up to the worthy tradition of Crowded House's brightly catchy, sweetly upbeat best.

Swimming Hole Transforms N.Y.'s East River

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:00:00 EDT

A tiny section of New York's notorious East River is now a floating pool complete with a sandy beach and sparkling blue waters. The pool -- on a barge -- has transformed the pier from a mob-movie cliche to a place to take the kids on a sunny day.

'Jane' Isn't Quite Austen, But It Is 'Becoming'

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:00:00 EDT

The dialogue in this fanciful "biography" certainly isn't up to the beloved novelist's standard, but the performances do sparkle and the look is Merchant Ivory-lush -- so there's plenty of pleasure to be had.

Travis: The Once and Future 'It' Band Returns

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:23:00 EDT

The Boy with No Name is a sparkling surprise, as the Scottish pop band Travis returns with a sharp batch of winning pop songs. Best of all is "Selfish Jean," on which singer Fran Healy disparages an ex-lover over a chiming, instantly memorable guitar hook.

Travis: The Once and Future 'It' Band Returns

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:23:00 EDT

Bringing Brahms Alive with Little Fanfare

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:41:00 EDT

With virtually any mainstay of the classical repertoire, like Brahms' masterful violin sonatas, it's possible to find sparkling performances from lesser-known but artistically mighty interpreters. This recording, by Czech violinist Josef Suk and American pianist Julius Katchen, is an excellent example.

Oprah Opens Sparkling Leadership Academy in South Africa

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:00:00 EST

Six years in the making, talk show host Oprah Winfrey has opened a school in South Africa. The $40 million leadership academy for poor girls drew a star-studded group to its campus for the grand opening.

Willy Porter: Sparkling Folk Goes Grassroots

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST

One of the artists at the forefront of the modern folk-music scene, Willy Porter began his career by selling copies of his debut album out of the trunk of his car in 1990. Since then, Porter has juggled labels and flirted with mainstream success, but his music has remained consistently compelling.

Mojave 3: Sparkling as It Soothes

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 15:33:00 EST

The decade-old band's latest disc, Puzzles Like You, sees Mojave 3 incorporating bouncier and poppier melodies after years spent infusing laid-back pop-rock with Americana and folk.

Sounds of a Perfect Summer Day

Wed, 24 May 2006 16:21:00 EDT

Luisito Quintero's Afro-Latin-inflected "Love Remains the Same" captures the carefree bliss of strolling through crowds on a warm, breezy afternoon, when everyone sparkles with a sun-kissed glow and each hour unfolds with newfound wonder.

The Season for Winterpills May Last a While

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

The self-titled debut from Massachusetts-based Winterpills is a disc of sparkling indie pop. The band delivers melodies that draw on influences as diverse as Elliott Smith and Neil Young.

Sweet Potato Queen Returns with 'Guide to Men'

Mon, 20 Dec 2004 00:00:00 EST

In her latest book, best-selling humor writer Jill Conner Browne -- better known as the Sweet Potato Queen -- shares her insights on men, classifying them into handy spud categories (Mr. Right is a Spud Stud.) NPR's Debbie Elliott caught up with the Queen and her sparkling, tiara-wearing fans.