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TED Talks Music

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TED

Some of the world's greatest musicians and researchers showcase the power and science of music onstage at the TED conference, TEDx events and partner events around the world. You can also download these and many other videos free on TED.com, with an interactive English transcript and subtitles in up to 80 languages. TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.

#92

Singing old poems to life | Natalie Merchant

Natalie Merchant sings from her poetry-inspired album "Leave Your Sleep," which pairs lyrics from poets -- from Gerard Manley Hopkins to a near-forgotten 10-year-old girl in Brooklyn -- with simple melodies and her unmistakable voice. Stay for an encore performance of her hit "Thank You," dedicated to a notable philanthropist in the audience. ... Read more

09 Apr 2010

29 MINS

29:18

09 Apr 2010

#91

"Love Is a Loaded Pistol" | Thomas Dolby

To write his first studio album in decades, "A Map of the Floating City," Thomas Dolby has been working in the inspirational setting of a restored lifeboat. At TED2010 he premieres a gorgeous, evocative song from that album -- about one night with a legend. He's backed by members of the modern string quartet Ethel. ... Read more

07 May 2010

04 MINS

04:57

07 May 2010

#90

Songs of secrets and city lights | Sophie Hunger

This haunting, intimate performance by European singer-songwriter Sophie Hunger features songs from her breakout debut "Monday's Ghost" and album "1983." ... Read more

28 May 2010

23 MINS

23:04

28 May 2010

#89

How to engineer a viral music video | Adam Sadowsky

The band OK Go dreamed up the idea of a massive Rube Goldberg machine for their next music video -- and Adam Sadowsky's team was charged with building it. He tells the story of the effort and engineering behind their labyrinthine creation that quickly became the YouTube sensation "This Too Shall Pass." ... Read more

04 Jun 2010

14 MINS

14:28

04 Jun 2010

#88

How architecture helped music evolve | David Byrne

As his career grew, David Byrne went from playing CBGB to Carnegie Hall. He asks: Does the venue make the music? From outdoor drumming to Wagnerian operas to arena rock, he explores how context has pushed musical innovation. ... Read more

11 Jun 2010

16 MINS

16:00

11 Jun 2010

#87

Hurdy-gurdy for beginners | Caroline Phillips

Caroline Phillips cranks out tunes on a seldom-heard folk instrument: the hurdy-gurdy, a.k.a. the wheel fiddle. A searching, Basque melody follows her fun lesson on its unique anatomy and 1,000-year history. ... Read more

17 Sep 2010

05 MINS

05:41

17 Sep 2010

#86

My web playroom | Ze Frank

On the web, a new "Friend" may be just a click away, but true connection is harder to find and express. Ze Frank presents a medley of zany Internet toys that require deep participation -- and reward it with something more nourishing. You're invited, if you promise you'll share. ... Read more

15 Oct 2010

18 MINS

18:00

15 Oct 2010

#85

A one-man orchestra of the imagination | Andrew Bird

Musical innovator Andrew Bird winds together his trademark violin technique with xylophone, vocals and sophisticated electronic looping. Add in his uncanny ability to whistle anything, and he becomes a riveting one-man orchestra. ... Read more

05 Nov 2010

19 MINS

19:19

05 Nov 2010

#84

A whistleblower you haven't heard | Geert Chatrou

World champion whistler Geert Chatrou performs the whimsical "Eleonora" by A. Honhoff, and his own "Fête de la Belle." In a fascinating interlude, he talks about what brought him to the craft. ... Read more

11 Feb 2011

11 MINS

11:56

11 Feb 2011

#83

A modern take on piano, violin, cello | Ahn Trio

The three Ahn sisters (cellist Maria, pianist Lucia, violinist Angella) breathe new life into the piano trio with their passionate musicmaking. At TEDWomen, they start with the bright and poppy "Skylife," by David Balakrishnan, then play a gorgeous, slinky version of "Oblivion," by Astor Piazzolla. ... Read more

25 Feb 2011

09 MINS

09:25

25 Feb 2011

#82

Singing the primal mystery | Claron McFadden

"The human voice: mysterious, spontaneous, primal." With these words, soprano Claron McFadden invites us to explore the mysteries of breathing and singing, as she performs the intriguing modern song "Aria," by John Cage. ... Read more

25 Mar 2011

10 MINS

10:54

25 Mar 2011

#81

A virtual choir 2,000 voices strong | Eric Whitacre

In a moving and madly viral video last year, composer Eric Whitacre led a virtual choir of singers from around the world. He talks through the creative challenges of making music powered by YouTube, and unveils the first 2 minutes of his new work, "Sleep," with a video choir of 2,052. The full piece premiered a few weeks later (yes, on YouTube!). ... Read more

01 Apr 2011

14 MINS

14:34

01 Apr 2011

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