Top Picks: The return of The Postal Service, a revamped SimCity, and more
Experience an Appalachian hike from your computer, PBS airs the powerful story of a group of Czech Jews imprisoned during World War II who performed one of the most ambitious choral works ever written, and more top picks.
Experience an Appalachian hike from your computer, PBS airs the powerful story of a group of Czech Jews imprisoned during World War II who performed one of the most ambitious choral works ever written, and more top picks.
Dueling bows
Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser 鈥� the crossover classical cello-playing duo known as 2CELLOS 鈥� are launching their first North American tour in April. The classically trained musicians tackle pop, rock, and jazz favorites with their own sound, bringing in a range of guest artists on their latest album, including Elton John, Steve Vai, Naya Rivera, Lang Lang, Zucchero, and Sky Ferreira. Check out 2cellos.com and social media for tour locations and updates.
Sing what you cannot say
Defiant Requiem: Voices of Resistance explores a little-known act of resistance by a group of Czech Jews imprisoned in the town of Terez铆n, just outside Prague, during World War II. Awaiting deportation to a concentration camp, they performed one of the most ambitious choral works ever written, Verdi鈥檚 Requiem mass. In the audience were Nazi officers 鈥� and also members of the International Red Cross, to whom the Czechs hoped to send a desperate appeal for help. A modern performance of the work in the same town commemorates the event in this powerful film. It airs Sunday, April 7, at 10 p.m. on PBS.
Go Postal
It鈥檚 been 10 years since Ben Gibbard鈥檚 dulcet tones backed by Jimmy Tamborello鈥檚 beautifully produced music dominated the airwaves, but now music fans can rejoice 鈥� The Postal Service is back! The indie band has reunited to celebrate the anniversary of their hit debut album, 鈥淕ive Up.鈥� They鈥檝e announced a reissue of the album and a cross-country tour launching April 9. The reissue will contain two new songs and covers.
Lieberson tribute
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2003 live performance of the adored late American mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Yarlung Records is releasing Lorraine. The CD features Ms. Lieberson singing Bach鈥檚 27-minute cantata 鈥淢ein Herze schwimmt in Blut鈥� in Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles 鈥� one of the nation鈥檚 most exceptional concert venues.
Hit the trail
Feeling a little stir-crazy in the lingering winter weather? As he hiked along the Appalachian Trail, photographer Kevin Gallagher took pictures all along the way 鈥� and now he鈥檚 put them together into a single five-minute video. Experience his journey and the great outdoors at http://bit.ly/appalachianvideo.
Be a mayor
After a very shaky launch, the new SimCity seems to be up and running again. The latest edition in this city-building franchise recaptures the fun and challenge of becoming digital mayor. But this new game introduces social elements. You can recruit friends to govern different corners of the region and share resources as your cities grow. It鈥檚 available now for PCs, with a Mac version coming in April.