Daily Schedule

On today’s show: Historian Serhii Plokhy argues that disagreements between Russia and Ukraine played a major role in the collapse of the Soviet Union. Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, who’s been called one of the greatest classical musicians of her generation, on playing at the New York Philharmonic’s Biennial. Smith Henderson talks about his latest novel, Fourth of July Creek. Kenneth Vogel tells how American politics came to be dominated by very rich people with rather outsized personalities.

Your morning companion from NPR and the WNYC Newsroom, with world news, local features, and weather updates.

Cult film director John Waters tells stories from the time he spent hitchhiking all the way across the country in 2012, from his house in Baltimore to his other house in San Francisco. Plus: Why neither environmentalists nor pro-business groups are satisfied with the Obama administration’s plans to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. 

The Peabody Award-winning program features Terry Gross’ fearless and insightful interviews with big names in pop culture, politics and the arts.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

In this episode: British singer and pianist Jamie Cullum is known for his energetic live shows and his jazz-inflected reinterpretations of modern rock as well as old classics. He plays songs from his new album Momentum live in the Soundcheck studio, and sneaks in a surprising cover too.

Then: Thirty-four years after he began his tenure with the New York Philharmonic, concertmaster Glenn Dicterow is “retiring” back to his native California. He plays his final performance with the NY Phil on June 28, and talks about his decades in the lead seat.

Hear electronic songs on this New Sounds program, involving voice, sometimes layered,  with more layers of keyboards & electronics, and other instruments.  There’s new music from the Geoff Smith Band (which now includes members of the band Portishead) and their adaptation of “Black is the Color.” It’s a blend of traditional folksong and poetry by Rimbaud.  Also, listen to selections from “Songs for Persephone” by Mimi Goese and Ben Neill, built on her voice and electronics along with ethereal music from Jonsi & Alex. Jonsi, the singer for the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, and his partner, Alex Somers, have also recorded under the moniker Riceboy Sleeps. Plus, revisit Laurie Anderson’s “O Superman,” and meditate on her voice, keyboards & processing.  The song was a surprise hit song on the U.K. pop charts in the early 1980’s. And more.