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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.

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Smallz & Raskind
2Cellos
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SimCity
A screenshot from SimCity.
'Give Up' by the Postal Service
  • By Staff

Dueling bows

Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser – the crossover classical cello-playing duo known as 2CELLOS – 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 Terezín, 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’s Requiem mass. In the audience were Nazi officers – 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’s been 10 years since Ben Gibbard’s dulcet tones backed by Jimmy Tamborello’s beautifully produced music dominated the airwaves, but now music fans can rejoice – The Postal Service is back! The indie band has reunited to celebrate the anniversary of their hit debut album, “Give Up.” They’ve 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’s 27-minute cantata “Mein Herze schwimmt in Blut” in Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles – one of the nation’s 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 – and now he’s 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’s available now for PCs, with a Mac version coming in April.

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