Daily Schedule

On today’s Memorial Day show we're re-airing some favorite interviews from March. Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal, and Sarah Shourd—the three Americans who were captured by Iranian forces while they were hiking and were held for two years—tell us about being in prison and then finally being released. Carl Hoffman explains how he uncovered new evidence about the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller in New Guinea in 1961. We’ll look at the diaries of George F. Kennan, who devised the policy of containment during the Cold War. Bruce Dancis talks about becoming an anti-war activist in the 1960s—and going to prison for resisting the draft during Vietnam.

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

New York City has a new Sanitation commissioner: Kathryn Garcia. She talks about her new role and the department’s plans for recycling…and snow. Plus: MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry stops by to round up the day's politics; and the medical ethics of end-of-life treatment.

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: Since she last visited Soundcheck, Sharon Van Etten has opened up for The National, toured as a backup singer with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and recorded a Bruce Springsteen cover at the Stone Pony. Hear the singer-songwriter and her band perform songs from her just-released fourth album, Are We There, in the Soundcheck studio.

Then: New York Philharmonic music director and conductor Alan Gilbert talks about dreaming up the first-ever NY Phil Biennial, which kicks off this week. We take a listen to some of the new music that will be showcased.

And: Charts guru and writer Chris Molanphy explores the puzzling success of another chart-topping single -- this time, the sexy New Age, Gregorian chant-laden “Sadeness” by Enigma -- as part of our series That Was A Hit?!?

This New Sounds is chock full of works that use percussion atmospherically.  Hear the looped hockety rhythms of the Portico Quartet, who create a hypnotic electrified and trancey soundworld on their most recent release.  There's also concert music from the wide-ranging New York luminary, Joseph Byrd, as performed by ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble), featuring Timo Andres.  Plus, pianist Benedikt Jahnel and his trio focus on rhythmic placement to achieve atmospheric wordless songs. Perhaps there will also be music from drummer Allison Miller or a gamelan-laden dance score from composer Mary Ellen Childs. And more.