John Schaefer has hosted Soundcheck since the show’s inception in 2002. He has also hosted and produced WNYC’s radio series New Sounds since 1982 (“The No. 1 radio show for the Global Village” – Billboard) and the New Sounds Live concert series since 1986.
Schaefer has written extensively about music, including the book New Sounds: A Listener’s Guide to New Music (Harper & Row, NY, 1987; Virgin Books, London, 1990); The Cambridge Companion to Singing: World Music (Cambridge University Press, U.K., 2000); and the TV program Bravo Profile: Bobby McFerrin (Bravo Television, 2003). He was contributing editor for Spin and Ear magazines, and his liner notes appear on more than 100 recordings, ranging from “The Music of Cambodia” to recordings by Yo-Yo Ma and Terry Riley.
In 2003, Schaefer was honored with the American Music Center's prestigious Letter of Distinction for his "substantial contributions to advancing the field of contemporary American music in the United States and abroad." In May 2006, New York magazine cited Schaefer as one of "the people whose ideas, power, and sheer will are changing New York" in its Influentials issue. He began blogging for WNYC when accompanying the New York Philharmonic on its historic (and apparently very weird) trip to North Korea in 2008 and continues to blog at soundcheck.org.
He is a regular contributor to the World Science Festival and the White Light Festival at Lincoln Center; he has also written about horse racing (Bloodlines: A Horse Racing Anthology, Vintage NY 2006) and was a regular panelist on the BBC’s soccer-based program Sports World.
Shows:
John Schaefer appears in the following:
Ray Manzarek, The Doors' Founding Keyboardist, Dies At 74
Monday, May 20, 2013
Ray Manzarek, founding member of the legendary rock and roll band The Doors, has died at the age of 74, after a long battle with bile duct cancer.
Kaizers Orchestra's Devilishly Good Video
Monday, May 13, 2013
Before Kaizers Orchestra disbands this week, watch the Norwegian band's creepily infectious video for its song "Begravelsespolka."
Watch Live: The Rite of Spring Goes Solo
Monday, May 13, 2013
Buy tickets for Wednesday, May 29 at 7 pm to hear pianist Vicky Chow celebrate the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring with a live performance from The Greene Space.
On-Demand Audio: John Corigliano's 75th Birthday Concert
Monday, April 29, 2013
On Monday, a star-studded line-up celebrated John Corigliano's 75th birthday at LPR. Listen to the archive of Q2 Music's live audio webcast of the event.
Iggy & The Stooges, Live In Concert
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Iggy And The Stooges, Live In Concert
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Join NPR Music and WNYC's Soundcheck for a First Listen Live concert from proto-punk band Iggy & The Stooges, broadcast from New York City. Watch the group rip through songs from its new album, Ready to Die, as well as a handful of old favorites.
When Iggy Met Dinah
Monday, April 22, 2013
Soundcheck host John Schaefer recalls when the unpredictable rock icon appeared on The Dinah Shore Show.
Daddy Dearest: John Schaefer's Weird Kiddie Playlist
Monday, April 15, 2013
Who says kids have to listen to "kiddie music"? Soundcheck host John Schaefer shares a playlist of some songs he played for his own daughters.
Mistaken Memories Of Medieval Music Videos
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Soundcheck host John Schaefer remembers his first time watching a music video, and it was an "Aha!" moment.
NY Philharmonic Gives Four Premieres
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Tonight at 8 pm, Q2 Music streams the next installment of the New York Philharmonic's CONTACT! series, with premieres of works by Unsuk Chin, Poul Ruders, Yann Robin and Anders Hillborg.
Remembering Van Cliburn, A Larger-Than-Life Pianist And Cold War Icon
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The legendary pianist and Cold War icon Van Cliburn died of bone cancer in his Fort Worth, Texas, but leaves behind a powerful legacy.
Listen: Bang on a Can People's Commissioning Fund Concert
Thursday, February 07, 2013
On March 14, Q2 Music and New Sounds Live presented a live webcast of the Bang on a Can All-Stars, featuring new works by Anna Clyne, Dan Deacon, Tyondai Braxton and others. Listen to the whole show on demand.
Listen: Clogs, Sarah Kirkland Snider and Orchestra for the Next Century
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
On Feb. 6, Q2 Music presented a live webcast of indie favorites Clogs and Orchestra for the Next Century, and the premiere of Sarah Kirkland Snider's new song cycle, Unremembered. Listen to the full show.
A Taste Of Sundance
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Check out this 6-minute animated tale of mayhem, poultry, and rhythm.
Listen: Carla Kihlstedt, ICE, Causing a Tiger and Face the Music
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Tonight at 7:30 pm, Q2 Music presents a live audio webcast of singer-instrumentalist Carla Kihlstedt with the International Contemporary Ensemble, live from the Ecstatic Music Festival.
The Return Of The Thin White Duke: David Bowie Is Back!
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
David Bowie unveils a birthday surprise for his fans, a new song and his first album in nearly ten years, The Next Step.
A Musical Eschaton
Friday, December 21, 2012
Soundcheck host John Schaefer says the best “End of the World” songs are the ones that leave you to imagine what’s happening.
Scott Walker: Abstract And Unsettling On 'Bisch Bosch'
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Scott Walker found early success as part of the Walker Brothers, who were one of the biggest pop acts in the U.K. in the mid-1960's. But over the years, Walker has moved further and further from the harsh glare of the pop spotlight and into someplace far darker. The musician joins us in the studio to discuss his first new album in many years, Bish Bosch.
Soundcheck Host on How He Would Remix Holiday Music
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
As part of our Remixing the Holidays series, we invited John Schaefer, host of WNYC's Soundcheck to give us a playlist of holiday songs. He recently asked his audience to name their top picks, but he didn't ask for just their favorite feel-good tunes.
Beck's Sheet Music Project Revives A Great Tradition
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Beck's new sheet music album Song Reader reminds John Schaefer of the old days, the 1970s.
