John Schaefer

Host

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.

John 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:

Weekly Music Roundup: Omar Apollo and Better Oblivion Community Center

Monday, February 04, 2019

New Sounds

This week, Billie Eilish and Omar Apollo: youth is served; The Mountain Goats offer an epic war story, and echoes of Ethiopia by Dexter Story. Plus, Better Oblivion Community Center.

Comment

The Making Of 'The Lord Of The Rings'

Thursday, January 24, 2019

By John Schaefer : Host

A new exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum looks at the how J. R. R. Tolkien created the world of the Middle-earth.

Comments [2]

Weekly Music Roundup: Nakhane, Tanya Tagaq, and India.Arie

Monday, January 21, 2019

New Sounds

This week, a big question from India.Arie, a 60s flashback, and a rapidly rising queer icon from South Africa. Plus, new music from Tanya Tagaq and Cinematic Orchestra.

Comment

Weekly Music Roundup: VÉRITÉ and The Raconteurs

Monday, December 24, 2018

New Sounds

Week of Dec. 24: Another farewell from Lin-Manuel Miranda (and Barack Obama), a surprise return by the Raconteurs, a new music session from VÉRITÉ, and a big ol’ box of gospel.

Comment

Weekly Music Roundup: Bruce Springsteen, MorMor, and Bibi Bourelly

Monday, December 10, 2018

Week of Dec. 10: This week, Springsteen on Broadway; Deerhunter and Bibi Bourelly on the environment; plus Chromeo, and Toronto's MorMor.

Comment

The Untold Story of The First World War in Africa

Tuesday, December 04, 2018

By John Schaefer : Host

South African artist William Kentridge presents an expansive production that commemorates the African casualties of WWI to the Park Avenue Armory.

Comment

Yannick Nézet-Séguin stands in the Metropolitan Opera house, where he'll be the next music director.

For the First Time in 42 Years, a New Music Director at The Met

Monday, December 03, 2018

By John Schaefer : Host

Two years earlier than planned, Yannick Nézet-Séguin hopes his tenure will lead to new works and new audiences.

Comment

Charles Bradley performs in the Soundcheck studio.

Weekly Music Roundup: Charles Bradley, Smashing Pumpkins, and Jacob Banks

Monday, November 12, 2018

New Sounds

This week, posthumous music from Charles Bradley, Smashing Pumpkins are not dead yet, and a moving video from Jacob Banks.

Comment

Watch: Glimmery Electro Art-Pop by Arthur Moon

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Arthur Moon is the moniker of composer/singer/multi-instrumentalist Lora-Faye Åshuvud. Hear dazzling and strange off-kilter pop from the band Arthur Moon, who perform in-studio.

Opera Takes To The Air In New 'Satyagraha' Production

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

By John Schaefer : Host

The new production at BAM, where the opera first premiered in 1981, adds another dimension as each major character is performed by both an opera singer and an aerialist.

Comments [1]

Bowie’s “Berlin Trilogy”

Thursday, October 18, 2018

John Schaefer & Jonathan Meiburg on David Bowie’s “Berlin Trilogy.”

Comments [1]

Weekly Music Roundup: Esperanza Spalding and Imogen Heap's 'Platform 9¾'

Monday, October 15, 2018

New Sounds

Week of October 15: This week, music for Harry Potter by Imogen Heap, a musical spell from Esperanza Spalding, a new immigrant song, and Derek Brown, the beatboxing sax player.

Comment

New York’s Surprising New Performance Space – The High Line

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

By John Schaefer : Host

Once, an eyesore, The High Line is now the site for an ambitious new opera over a mile long with a thousand singers.

Comments [6]

Modernizing the Music Business for the Streaming Era

Friday, September 28, 2018

In a rare bipartisan move, the House and Senate unanimously pass the Music Modernization Act which will update copyright rules and create a new licensing system.

Comment

Weekly Music Roundup: Wolf Alice, Jeremy Dutcher, and The Most Perfect Album

Monday, September 24, 2018

New Sounds

Week of Sept. 24: This week, surprise winners of the Mercury and Polaris Prizes, and more surprises from Joey Stylez and Macy Gray.

Comment

Meet Jaap: A New Conductor Takes the Baton

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Jaap van Zweden makes his debut as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic this week.

Comments [4]

Weekly Music Roundup: Swamp Dogg, Julia Holter, and First Aid Kit

Monday, September 10, 2018

New Sounds

Week of September 10: This week, A "Blaze" of Glory, an old Dogg’s new trick, and a Mountain Goats surprise.

Comment

Weekly Music Roundup: Tunde Olaniran, boygenius, and Moses Sumney

Monday, August 27, 2018

New Sounds

Week of August 27: This week, a Bill Withers Tribute, off-kilter pop from Tunde Olaniran, the debut of boygenius, Moses Sumney's EP, and world music orchestra, Bokanté.

Comment