On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, guest host Jake Armerding shares selections by American composers in observance of Independence Day. Featured artists include Jessie Montgomery, Derrick Skye, Aaron Jay Kernis, John Adams and more. Listen now!

Playlist

In Liquid Days
Philip Glass
Michael Riesman
Philip Glass Ensemble
Sony 39564

Never Has Been Yet
Joseph C. PhillipsJr.
Lara Downes, piano
Pentatone 7200

American Mirror, Pt. I
Derrick Skye
Salastina Music Society
Orenda 0053

American Mirror, Pt. II
Derrick Skye
Salastina Music Society

Let Freedom Ring
Shara Nova
Dianne Berkur Menaker
Brooklyn Youth Chorus
New Amsterdam 105

Carrot Revolution
Gabriella Smith
Aizuri Quartet
New Amsterdam 104

Barcarolle No. 3
Ned Rorem
Ruskin Cooper, piano
Centaur 2584

Hymn for Everyone
Jessie Montgomery
Riccardo Muti
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Grace
Aaron Jay Kernis
Matt Haimovitz, cello
Pentatone 7161

Shaker Loops
John Adams
Christopher Warren-Green
London Chamber Orchestra
EMI 6627

again (after ecclesiastes)
David Lang
Daniel Reuss
Cappella Amsterdam
PentaTone 7001

In 2016, pianist Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra launched Beethoven/5, commissioning five living composers to write new piano concertos, each inspired by one of Beethoven’s five concertos. We hear two of those works on this episode of Extra Eclectic: Sally Beamish’s Piano Concerto No. 3, (City Stanzas) and Timo Andres’ The Blind Banister. Steve Seel also brings us music by Arvo Pärt, Jennifer Higdon and Nico Muhly. Listen now!

Playlist

Smash
Jennifer Higdon
Third Sound Ensemble
Innova 990

Everything Lasts Forever: Bird Sing Love
Michael Kurth
Robert Spano, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ASO Media 1011

Dream Machine
Charles Daniels
Borderlands Ensemble
New Focus 299

Piano Concerto No. 3 “City Stanzas”
Sally Beamish
Omer Meir Wellber, conductor
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Jonathan Biss, piano
Orchid 100339

Light is Calling
Michael Gordon
India Gailey, cello
Redshift 511

Dreaming
Anna Thorvaldsdottir
Daniel Bjarnason, conductor
Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Dorian 92213

Pari Intervallo (Parallel Intervals)
Arvo Part
Khatia Buniatishvili, piano
Sony 79577

The Blind Banister
Timo Andres
Pekka Kuusisto, conductor
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Jonathan Biss, piano
Orchid 100375

Patterns: Similar
Nico Muhly
James McVinnie, organ
Pentatone 7404

Iconoclastic and massively influential American composer Terry Riley celebrates his 90th birthday on June 24, and we honor him this week on Extra Eclectic by devoting the entire first hour to a cross-section of his output. Longtime Riley collaborators Kronos Quartet perform Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector, pianist Sarah Cahill plays his Be Kind to One Another rag, and Riley plays his mesmerizing piano piece The Philosopher's Hand. In the second hour, Steve Seel prepares us for the start of summer with a set of still, “humid” works, including Ingram Marshall’s Entrada and Don’t Bother They’re Here by the duo Stars of the Lid.

Playlist

The Harp of New Albion: Cadence of the Wind
Terry Riley
John Schneider, guitar
Bridge 9132

Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector
Terry Riley
Kronos Quartet
Gramavision 187014

Cantos Desiertos: Quijote
Terry Riley
Alexandra Hawley, flute
Naxos 559146

The Philosopher’s Hand
Terry Riley
Terry Riley, piano
Nonesuch 79639

June Buddhas: 216th-B Chorus
Terry Riley
Dennis Russell Davies, conductor
Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra
MusicMasters 67089

The Lake
Terry Riley/Gyan Riley
Terry Riley, piano, melodica, electronics
Org 2142

Be Kind to One Another (Rag)
Terry Riley
Sarah Cahill, piano
Other Minds 1022

Duet
Steve Reich
Daniel Hope, conductor
Basel Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Hope, violin
DG 4795305

Entrada
Ingram Marshall
Maia Quartet
New Albion 92

Passacaglia
Douwe Eisenga
Piccola Accademia degli Specchi
Zefir 9627

The Maze of Longing
Peter Garland
Carson Cooman, organ
Cold Blue 70

Don’t Bother They’re Here
Adam Wiltzie/Brian McBride
Stars of the Lid
Kranky 100

Night Peace
John Luther Adams
Atlanta Singers
New Albion 61

Contemporary composers with Middle Eastern roots provide a lively and evocative tapestry on this week’s episode of Extra Eclectic. We hear French-Lebanese composer Layale Chaker’s “Ya Fajr” from her Mkhammas Suite, Iranian composer Reza Vali’s Calligraphy No. 16, “Isfahan,” and the Syrian musician Mevan Younes playing a work on the buzuq, a long-necked string instrument common in Kurdish and Lebanese music. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Mkhammas Suite: Ya Fajr
Layale Chaker
Sarafand
Layale Chaker, violin
In a Circle 11

Piano Miniature No. 12
Mohammed Fairouz
Nicholas Phillips, piano
New Focus 144

Lamma bada yatathanna/El helwa di
Arab-Andalusian Muwashshah/Sayed Darwish
Karim Sulayman, tenor
Pentatone 7031

Calligraphy No. 16 “Isfahan”
Reza Vali
Fawzi Haimor, conductor
Wurttemberg Philharmonic Reutlingen
Naxos 579150

I would I were a bird
Anonymous
Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello
Harmonia Mundi 902242

Tous des oiseaux: David's Dream
Eleni Karaindrou
Argyro Seira, conductor
String Orchestra
ECM 2634

Unknown Gates
Margaret Hermant/Neil Leiter/Gary De Cart
Echo Collective
7K! 24

Nights
Shamsi Karimov
Mevan Younes, buzuk
Dreyer Gaido 21131

Traveling North
Danielle Eva Schwob
Nathalie Joachim, flute
Innova 64

Night Ferry
Anna Clyne
Andrew Litton, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Avie 2434

Last Hour Story
Julia Kent
Julia Kent, cello
Leaf 106

Gymnopedie
James Sutcliffe
Howard Hanson, conductor
Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra
Mercury 434347

The summer solstice is almost upon us, so Steve Seel brings us a rhapsody on summer themes on this episode of Extra Eclectic. We hear Irish composer Donnacha Dennehy’s “June” and “July” from Land of Winter (which is what the Romans called Ireland), Peteris Vasks’ Summer Dances, and just in case you’re flying to any of your summer destinations, Brian Eno has some calming travel music from his Music for Airports. In the second hour of the show, we examine how wisdom can arise from reflection, meditation, or just age — with works including Shelly Washington’s “Now” from Eternal Present and David Lang's if I am silent (after The Book of Esther). Listen now!

Playlist

Celeste
Brian Eno/Roger Eno
Vanessa Wagner, piano

Land of Winter: June and July
Donnacha Dennehy
Alan Pierson, conductor
Alarm Will Sound
Nonesuch 78994

The Beckoning Stars
Stanley Grill
Camerata Philadelphia
Innova 48

Music for Airports: 2/2
Brian Eno
Bang on a Can All-Stars
Point 536847

Eternal Present: Now
Shelley Washington
~nois

If I am silent (after The Book of Esther)
David Lang
Daniel Reuss, conductor
Cappella Amsterdam
PentaTone 7001

Slowly, Searching
Alex Shapiro
Adam Marks, piano
Innova 41

Violin Concerto No. 2 “Angel’s Share”
Erkki-Sven Tuur
Gemma New, conductor
Odense Symphony Orchestra
Hans Christian Aavik, violin
Orchid 100380

Reflections
Anna Thorvaldsdottir
International Contemporary Ensemble
Dorian 92227

Today’s composers have no fear of using electronic elements as part of their works, and on this week’s episode of Extra Eclectic, musician, composer and Your Classical Fellow Anna Tessman guest-curates a playlist showcasing modern classical works featuring electronic sounds and textures — often integrated with traditional acoustic instruments. We hear selections by Johann Johannson, Gity Razaz, Dustin O’Halloran, Olafur Arnalds and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Quake: Gleyma
Edvard Egilsson/Pall Ragnar Palsson
Edvard Egilsson, electronics
Dorian 70032

What Gently Flutters
Dustin O’Halloran
Dustin O’Halloran, electronics
DG 4861506

Eyes Shut
Olafur Arnalds
Alice Sara Ott, piano
Mercury 22767

Kaleidoscope
Zvonimir Nagy
Elisa Jarvi, piano
Albany 1699

Legend of Sigh
Gity Razaz
Inbal Segev, cello
Bis 2634

Nocturne/Doubles
Benjamin Broening
eighth blackbird
Benjamin Broening, electronics
Bridge 9384

Sleep: Space 21
Max Richter
American Contemporary Music Ensemble
Max Richter, electronics
DG 4795258

Ad Astra: Space Journey
Lorne Balfe
Lorne Balfe, electronics
DG 4837518

Vivaldi: Winter
Max Richter
Andre de Ridder, conductor
Berlin Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Hope, violin
DG 4765040

The B-Sides
Mason Bates
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
Mason Bates, electronica
SFS 65

Lava
Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR)
Daniel Bernard Roumain, violin
Thirsty Ear 1792

Fordlandia: Fordlandia
Johann Johannsson
Miriam Nemcova, conductor
City of Prague Philharmonic Chorus
Johann Johannsson, electronics
4AD 2812

Composers from Southeast Asia (and those influenced by its music) are the focus on this week’s episode of Extra Eclectic. Steve Seel plays Indonesian composer Eunike Tanzil’s Serenade and Malaysian composer Su Lian Tan‘s Legend of Kintamani, as well as works by Lou Harrison and Colin McPhee, who explored the sound of the Balinese gamelan in their music. In the second hour it’s composers from down under, as Steve features works by Australians Peter Sculthorpe, John Antill, and Kate Moore, and New Zealanders Bruce Paine, Gareth Farr and Gillain Whitehead. Listen now!

Playlist

Balinese Ceremonial Music: Taboeh Teloe
Colin McPhee
Nico Muhly, piano
Nonesuch 567405

Serenade
Eunike Tanzil
Cristian Macelaru, conductor
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Ray Chen, violin
DG 4870417

Suite for Violin and American Gamelan: Air
Lou Harrison
John Bergamo, conductor
American Gamelan
David Abel, violin
New Albion 15

Legends of Kintamani
Su Lian Tan
Timothy Weiss, conductor
Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble
Darrell Adkins, cello
Oberlin 17

Keeping Time
Vivian Fung
Mary Kathleen Ernst, piano
Innova 868

Petroglyph
Andy Akiho
Ankush Kumar Bahl, conductor
Omaha Symphony
Andy Akiho, percussion
Aki Rhythm Productions 4

The Lord of the Rings: Twilight and Shadow
Howard Shore
Howard Shore, conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Renee Fleming, soprano
Reprise 48521

Waterfalls: 2nd movement
Gareth Farr
Duo Venandi
SELF PROD 439

Cello Dreaming
Peter Sculthorpe
Richard Tognetti, conductor
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Emma-Jane Murphy, cello
Chandos 10063

Torua
Gillian Whitehead
Hilary Hahn, violin
DG 19103

Corroboree: Dance to the Evening Star
John Antill
James Judd, conductor
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Naxos 570241

Canon
Kate Moore
Saskia Lankhoorn, piano
ECM 2344

This week’s episode of Extra Eclectic is a musical garden, with contemporary classical works about flowers, rain, and sun. Steve Seel plays us Yoko Kanno’s Flowers Will Bloom, Takashi Yoshimatsu’s piano concerto Memo Flora, Terry Riley’s Sun Rings, Caroline Shaw’s Let the Soil Play its Simple Part and much more. Listen now!

Playlist

The Walled Garden
John Zorn
Bill Frisell, guitar
Tzadik 8309

Hana Wa Saku (Flowers Will Bloom)
Yoko Kanno
Isabel Dobarro, piano

Piano Concerto “Memo Flora”
Takashi Yoshimatsu
Sachio Fujioka, conductor
Manchester Camerata
Kyoko Tabe, piano
Chandos 9652

In a Landscape
John Cage
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp
Azica 71281

Solais
Clarice Assad
Elisabeth Remy Johnson, harp
Navona 6644

Sun Rings: One Earth, One People, One Love
Terry Riley
Kronos Quartet
Nonesuch 549523

Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part
Caroline Shaw/So Percussion/Jonathan Low
So Percussion
Caroline Shaw, vocals
Nonesuch 979159

Varsha (Rain)
Reena Esmail
Claire Bryant, cello
Bright Shiny Things 178

Was there a butterfly?
Onute Narbutaite
Juha Kangas, conductor
Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra
Alba 414

Limina Luminis
Olivia Belli
Anna Lapwood, organ
Sony 80927

Composer Missy Mazzoli imagines a hurdy gurdy — that wheezing, droning instrument dating from the middle ages — “flung out into space” and into orbit, in her piece Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres). Yes, it’s a whimsical idea, and whimsy is on the docket on this week’s Extra Eclectic. Steve Seel also features Caroline Shaw’s The Observatory, Christopher Cerrone's Ode to Joy, and Laurie Spiegel’s inversion of Charles Ives’ famous title in her work The Unquestioned Answer. Listen now!

Playlist

Alleluia in Form of a Toccata
Louise Talma
Orion Weiss, piano
First Hand 129

The Observatory
Caroline Shaw
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Platoon DALIA01

Please Be Still
Jlin
Third Coast Percussion
Cedille 236

Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)
Missy Mazzoli
Tim Weiss, conductor
Arctic Philharmonic
Bis 2572

A Boy and a Makeshift Toy
Mary Kouyoumdjian
Jessica Oudin, viola
Navona 6644

Ode to Joy
Christopher Cerrone
Sandbox Percussion
Pentatone 7403

Polar: The Waves
Gabriel Olafs
Viktor Orri Arnason, conductor
Reykjavik Orchestra

saman
Olafur Arnalds
Jess Gillam Ensemble
Jess Gillam, soprano saxophone
London/Decca 4870832

Lignum
Jekabs Jancevskis
Kremerata Baltica
Alina Vizine, Zane Kalnina, Rakele Chijenaite, svilpaunieki
ECM 2745

Season of Light
Fuse & Xavi Torres
Fuse
Fusemusic 2024

Organum Light
Dobrinka Tabakova
Julian Azkoul, conductor
United Strings of Europe
Bis 2739

The Unquestioned Answer
Laurie Spiegel
James McVinnie, organ

Absence
Magnus Lindberg
Nicholas Collon, conductor
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ondine 1436

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, guest host Jake Armerding shares contemporary classical selections inspired by folk music from around the world. Featured artists include Stewart Duncan, Yo-Yo Ma, Tessa Lark and more. Listen now!

Playlist

Jig and Pop
Tessa Lark
Tessa Lark, violin
First Hand 100

Franz and the Eagle
Edgar Meyer/Chris Thile/Stuart Duncan
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Sony 84118

Juno Concerto
Bela Fleck
Jose Luis Gomez, conductor
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Bela Fleck, banjo
Rounder 1166100200

Happy Day
Nicolas Kendall
Time For Three
Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele
Universal 20744

Far Down Far
Maeve Gilchrist
Silk Road Ensemble
Rhiannon Giddens, banjo
Nonesuch 89758

Electric Counterpoint: Fast
Steve Reich
Bryce Dessner, guitar
DG 4876947

Pulse
Fuse & Bryce Dessner
Fuse
Fusemusic 2024

Perfectly Voiceless
Devonte Hynes
Third Coast Percussion
Cedille 192

Reflections: Mnemosyne
Sufjan Stevens
Timo Andres, piano
Asthmatic Kitty 148

Reflections: Rodinia
Sufjan Stevens
Timo Andres, piano
Asthmatic Kitty 148

Reflections: Reflection
Sufjan Stevens
Timo Andres, piano
Asthmatic Kitty 148

The Bear and the Squirrel
Jeremy Turner
yMusic
New Amsterdam 59

Nightfall
Meredith Monk
Sean Shibe, electric guitar
PentaTone 988

This Saturday, Michael Tilson Thomas — the highly acclaimed, 12-time Grammy-winning conductor, pianist, composer, and educator — will make his final public appearance when he conducts the San Francisco Symphony, the orchestra he led for 25 years. It will be an emotional night, as he recently announced the return of his aggressive brain cancer. Among many other things, Tilson Thomas is a longtime advocate for modern classical music, and on this episode of Extra Eclectic, we honor his life and career with two hours of recordings of his conducting, his piano playing, and his own compositions themselves. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Short Ride in a Fast Machine
John Adams
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
SFS 53

The Circus Band
Charles Ives
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
RCA 63703

Circus Polka
Igor Stravinsky
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
RCA 68865

Saxophone Concerto: Rondo
Ingolf Dahl
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
New World Symphony
John Harle, saxophone
Argo 444459

Street Song
Michael Tilson Thomas
Empire Brass
Telarc 80159

Promenade (Walking the Dog)
George Gershwin
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, piano
Sony 93018

Lope
Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
New World Symphony
Pentatone 7355

Serenity
Charles Ives
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
Thomas Hampson, baritone
RCA 63703

You Come Here Often?
Michael Tilson Thomas
Yuja Wang, piano
DG 4864261

Portals
Carl Ruggles
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Other Minds 1020

Harmonielehre: Meister Eckhardt and Quackie
John Adams
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
SFS 53

Meditations on Rilke: Herbst (Autumn)
Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano
Pentatone 7355

The Unanswered Question
Charles Ives
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Adolph Herseth, trumpet
Sony 42381

Upon Further Reflection: Sunset Soliloquy
Michael Tilson Thomas
John Wilson, piano
Avie 2458

With Earth Day on the way this coming Tuesday, April 22, Steve Seel presents two hours of contemporary classical pieces on themes of the environment on this episode of Extra Eclectic. John Luther Adams’ Up the Mountain from Lines Made by Walking, Majel Connery’s The Rivers Are Our Brothers, and Tobias Picker’s Old and Lost Rivers are included, in addition to two works saluting America’s national parks: Jennifer Higdon’s All Things Majestic and Phil Kline’s Dawn Chorus.  

Playlist

Old and Lost Rivers
Tobias Picker
John Williams, conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
Sony 62729

The Rivers Are Our Brothers: I Am a Rock
Majel Connery
Chanticleer
Chanticleer 2024

Symphony No. 1 "Strata"
Eleanor Alberga
Thomas Kemp, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Resonus 10340

Lines Made By Walking: Up the Mountain
John Luther Adams
JACK Quartet
Cold Blue 58

Control: Mountain
Nico Muhly
Thierry Fischer, conductor
Utah Symphony Orchestra
Reference 719

Sky
Jane Antonia Cornish
Vicky Chow, piano
Canteloupe 21174

All Things Majestic
Jennifer Higdon
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Nashville Symphony Orchestra
Naxos 559823

Dawn Chorus
Phil Kline
Bill Ryan, conductor
Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble
Innova 44

Carrot Revolution
Gabriella Smith
Aizuri Quartet
New Amsterdam 104

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic: National Poetry Month is an opportunity to explore modern classical sounds that set poetry (or are just inspired by it). Host Steve Seel features works by John Adams, Edie Hill, Caroline Shaw, Lou Harrison, August Reed Thomas and others — in their musical settings of the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Carl Sandburg, Mary Oliver, John Donne and more. Listen now!

Playlist

The Lost Birds: Hope Is the Thing with Feathers
Christopher Tin
Voces8
London/Decca 4858121

Of Paradise and Light
Augusta Read Thomas
William Boughton, conductor
New Haven Symphony Orchestra

To Music
Caroline Shaw/So Percussion
So Percussion
Caroline Shaw, vocals
Nonesuch 726502

Grass
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson
Paul Freeman, conductor
Chicago Sinfonietta

Poem for 2084
Edie Hill
Donald Nally, conductor
The Crossing
Navona 6218

Musicians Wrestle Everywhere
Judith Weir
Mark Davis Scatterday, conductor
Ensemble X
Albany 803

Air for the Poet
Lou Harrison
Guido Facchin, conductor
Tammittam Percussion Ensemble
Dynamic 401

Two Meditations on Poems of Mary Oliver: Linen of Words
Evan Premo
River Town Duo
Furious Artisans 6824

Harmonium
John Adams
John Adams, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
Nonesuch 79453

And So
Caroline Shaw/So Percussion
So Percussion
Caroline Shaw, vocals

Late and Soon
Max Richter
Max Richter, synthesizer
London/Decca 6572991

This episode of Extra Eclectic features music about caring for one another, including Put Your Loving Arms Around Me from John Adams’ Gnarly Buttons, Andy Akiho’s Belonging, and Terry Riley’s Be Kind to One Another. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Gnarly Buttons: Put Your Loving Arms Around Me
John Adams
John Adams, conductor
London Sinfonietta
Michael Collins, clarinet
Nonesuch 79453

BeLonging: Longing
Andy Akiho
Andy Akiho, steel pan
Aki Rhythm

BeLonging: BeLonging
Andy Akiho
Imani Winds
Andy Akiho, steel pan
Aki Rhythm

Synched
Cristina Spinei
Jose Serebrier, conductor
St. Michel Strings
Toccata 371

Miniatures: A Piacere
Vivian Fung
Maia String Quartet
John Bruce Yeh, clarinet
Cedille 100

Spring Song
Gordon Getty
Matt Haimovitz, cello
Pentatone 293

Verdant cycles of deepening spring
Jeffrey Mumford
Allen Tinkham, conductor
Chicago Composers' Orchestra
Christine Wu, violin
Albany 1948

Just Constellations: The Acoustic Constellation: Spring
Michael Harrison
Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 134

Child: Sweet Air
David Lang
Carlo Baccadoro, conductor
Sentieri Selvaggi
Cantaloupe 21013

O’Keeffe Images: Sky Above Clouds
Elena Ruehr
Gil Rose, conductor
Boston Modern Orchestra Project
BMOP/sound 1039

Vespers for Violin
Missy Mazzoli
Olivia de Prato, violin

With such a wealth of amazing women composers to listen to these days, the question is often, “Where to start?” Steve Seel answers the question on this week’s episode of Extra Eclectic by focusing the first hour of the show on contemporary women composers from Eastern and Southeastern Europe — a wellspring of vibrant contemporary classical. Women composers from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Serbia are featured — including Dobrinka Tabakova, Alla Pavolva, Viktoria Poleva, Helena Tulve and Aleksandra Vrebalov. 

Playlist

Jubilate Deo
Dobrinka Tabakova
Christopher Gray, conductor
Truro Cathedral Choir
Joseph Wicks, organ
Regent 530

Monolog
Alla Pavlova
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Yaroslav Krasnikov, violin
Naxos 557674

Simurgh-quintet
Victoria Poleva
Taras Yaropud, violin
Naxos 579098

L'ombre derriere toi
Helena Tulve
Paavo Jarvi, conductor
Estonian Festival Orchestra
Mate Szucs, viola
Alpha 863

My Desert, My Rose
Aleksandra Vrebalov
Malva String Quartet
Footprint 119

Nocturne
Dobrinka Tabakova
Isabel Dobarro, piano
Grand Piano 944

Opacity
Una Sveinbjarnardottir
Siggi String Quartet
Dorian 92232

The Currents
Sarah Kirkland Snider
Michael Mizrahi, piano
New Amsterdam 75

Orpheus Undone
Missy Mazzoli
Tim Weiss, conductor
Arctic Philharmonic
Bis 2572

Whoever You Are Come Forth
Kate Moore
Ashley Bathgate, cello
Cantaloupe 21118

To the Hands: Ever Ever Ever
Caroline Shaw
Donald Nally, conductor
The Crossing
Innova 912

We Will Sing One Song
Eve Beglarian
Apollo Chamber Players
Joan DerHovsepian, viola
Azica 71340

This episode of Extra Eclectic honors Sofia Gubaidulina, the groundbreaking Russian composer whose music explored the tensions between Western and Eastern music, who died last week at 93. As part of our continuing celebration of Women’s History Month, host Steve Seel shares one of her best-known works, Offertorium. In the second hour of the show, we hear from contemporary women mavericks including Anna Clyne, Outi Tarkiainen, and Caroline Shaw. Listen now!

Playlist

Duo: Scherzo
Gity Razaz
Francesca dePasquale, violin
Bis 2634

Song Without Words
Sofia Gubaidulina
Reinhold Friedrich, trumpet
Capriccio 10439

Offertorium
Sofia Gubaidulina
James DePreist, conductor
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Oleh Krysa, violin
Bis 566

Terrestre
Kaija Saariaho
International Contemporary Ensemble
Claire Chase, flute
New Focus 122

Partita: Sarabande
Caroline Shaw
Brad Wells, conductor
Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 41

heart rituals.
Caroline Davis
Jennifer Koh, violin
Cedille 3011

Queen of Hearts
Kati Agocs
Claremont Trio

Midnight Sun Variations
Outi Tarkiainen
Nicholas Collon, conductor
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ondine 1432

Last Light
Jane Antonia Cornish
Vicky Chow, piano

Prince of Clouds
Anna Clyne
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
The Knights
Colin Jacobsen, violin
Sony 31713

This week on Extra Eclectic, our observation of Women’s History Month continues with more music from female composers of the present moment. For the show's first hour, host Steve Seel also celebrates the coming of spring, with nature-related works including Akshaya Avril Tucker’s Breathing Sunlight, Mamiko Dis Ragnarsdottir’s Fair Flowers, Laura Masotto’s Sol Levante (Rising Sun) and more. In the second hour, there's room for play and whimsy, with works including Shara Nova’s A Whistle, A Tune, A Macaroon and Gabriella Smith’s Imaginary Pancake. Listen now!

Playlist

There Will Be Hope
Hania Rani/Dobrawa Czocher
Hania Rani, piano and vocals, Dobrawa Czocher, cello
DG 4860603

Sol Levante
Laura Masotto
Scoring Berlin
Mari Samuelsen, violin
DG 4862097

Breathing Sunlight
Akshaya Avril Tucker
Talla Rouge
Bright Shiny Things 202

Fair Flowers
Mamiko Dis Ragnarsdottir
Siggi String Quartet
Dorian 92232

Sielunmaisema: Spring
Zibuokle Martinaityte
Karolis Variakojis, conductor
Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra
Rokas Vaitkevicius, cello
Ondine 1403

Secret and Glass Gardens
Jennifer Higdon
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Bright Shiny Things 154

Semplice Sempre
Shirley Thompson
Her Ensemble
Esther Abrami, violin
Sony 46450

A Whistle, A Tune, A Macaroon
Shara Nova
yMusic
New Amsterdam 32

Tripotage Miniatures
Anna Meredith
Aurora Orchestra
NMC 239

Imaginary Pancake
Gabriella Smith
James McVinnie, piano
Pentatone 7404

Within Her Arms
Anna Clyne
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
The Knights

Hush
Tina Davidson
J Freivogel, violin
New Focus 415

This week on Extra Eclectic, we kick off our observation of Women’s History Month with a celebration of how women composers are at the forefront of the present in classical music. Host Steve Seel brings us two hours of outstanding music from the likes of Missy Mazzoli, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Tania Leon and more — as well as a showcase for Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz, whose astounding Altar de Cuerda comes from her quadruple-Grammy-nominated CD, Revolucion Diamantina (which won three awards at the recent 2025 ceremony). Listen now!

Playlist

Smash
Jennifer Higdon
Third Sound Ensemble
Innova 990

These Worlds in Us
Missy Mazzoli
Tim Weiss
Arctic Philharmonic
Bis 2572

Carols after a Plague: Resolve
Shara Nova
Donald Nally, conductor
The Crossing
New Focus 357

Altar de Cuerda: Canto Abierto
Gabriela Ortiz
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Los Angeles Phiharmonic Orchestra
Maria Duenas, violin

Esencia: Agua de Rosas
Tania Leon
Bergamot Quartet
New Focus 316

Black Iris
Reena Esmail
Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
Chicago Sinfonietta

Nocturne
Kaija Saariaho
Jennifer Koh, violin
Cedille 134

Spectra
Anna Thorvaldsdottir
International Contemporary Ensemble
Dorian 92227

De Profundis
Raminta Serksnyte
Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla, conductor
Kremerata Baltica
DG 4837761

The Unquestioned Answer
Laurie Spiegel
James McVinnie, organ
Pentatone 7404

Dark Night, Bright Stars, Vast Universe
Kelly-Marie Murphy
Alexander Shelley, conductor
National Arts Centre Orchestra
Analekta 8891

Postscriptum
Lera Auerbach
Boulanger Trio
Berlin 303298

This week’s episode of Extra Eclectic showcases a host of modern classical works featuring instruments picked, plucked and strummed — including the guitar, harp, theorbo (a kind of giant bass lute) and more. Steve Seel plays selections including Anna Segal’s Dialogue for Harp and Clarinet, Javier Lopez de Guerena’s Concierto Ecuanime for guitar and vibraphone, and a marvelous improvisation by pipa player Gao Hong and guitarist Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde. In the show’s second hour, it’s an exploration of vast spans of time and distance, with works including Kevin Puts’ Contact and Edie Hill’s Poem for 2084. Listen now!

Playlist

Things We Trust In
Robert Jurjendal
Volkmar Zimmermann, guitar
Albany 1738

Spin Bird
Kate Moore
Emily Granger, harp
Avie 2495

Dialogue for Harp and Clarinet
Anna Segal
Rachel Talitman, harp
Harp & Co 505041

Concierto Ecuanime
Javier Lopez de Guerena
Oliver Diaz, conductor
Oviedo Filarmonia
Miguel Trapaga, guitar
Naxos 573816

Skylark Call
Gao Hong/Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde
Gao Hong, pipa
ARC Music 2969

Carillon, Recitatif and Masque
Hans Werner Henze
Avi Avital, mandolin
DG 4838534

Tromba Lontana
John Adams
John Adams, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Gareth Bimson, trumpet
Late Junction 30012

Aliens with Extraordinary Abilities: Take Anything You Want
David Skidmore
Third Coast Percussion
Orange Mountain 132

Contact
Kevin Puts
Xian Zhang, conductor
Philadelphia Orchestra
DG 35748

Poem for 2084
Edie Hill
Donald Nally, conductor
The Crossing
Navona 6218

Darknesse Visible
Thomas Ades
Inon Barnatan, piano
Avie 2256

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, guest host Bonnie North features contemporary classical music from around the world. Listen now!

Playlist

Crossing Dance
Composer: Mevan Younes
Soloists: Mevan Younes, buzuk
Dreyer Gaido 21131

Zen Love Song
Composer: Roxanna Panufnik
Conductor: Barnaby Smith
Orchestra/Ensemble: Voces8
Soloists: Kiku Day, shakuhachi
Warner 65720

Interchange
Composer: Sergio Assad
Conductor: David Amado
Orchestra/Ensemble: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Telarc 31754

Final State
Composer: Kaki King
Soloists: Kaki King, guitar
Cantaloupe 21162

Lysning (Glade)
Composer: Per Norgard
Conductor: John Storgards
Orchestra/Ensemble: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Bis 2502

String Quartet No. 1 "Miroirs"
Composer: Andrea Tarrodi
Orchestra/Ensemble: Dahlkvist Quartet
dB Productions 180

Serenades
Composer: Magnus Lindberg
Conductor: Nicholas Collon
Orchestra/Ensemble: Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ondine 1436

Silver Rain
Composer: Angelica Olstad
Soloists: Angelica Olstad, piano
Sonder House 158542

The Hope of Loving
Composer: Jake Runestad
Conductor: Craig Hella Johnson
Orchestra/Ensemble: Conspirare
Soloists: Stefanie Moore, soprano
Delos 3578

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, guest host Vernon Neal spotlights composer John Adams’ new piano concerto, After the Fall. Listen now!

We begin our celebration of Black History Month on the latest episode of Extra Eclectic with two hours devoted to the music of Black 20th- and 21st-century composers, including Carlos Simon’s Wake Up! Concerto for Orchestra, Jessie Montgomery’s Divided and Records from a Vanishing City, Brian Raphael Nabors’ Pulse, Courtney Bryan’s Elegy and much more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Eternal Present: Now
Shelley Washington
~nois

Introit
Jonathan Bailey Holland
Dasara Beta, trumpet
Curtis Studio 24809

Wake Up! Concerto for Orchestra
Carlos Simon
Gianandrea Noseda, conductor
National Symphony Orchestra
NSO 18

Divided
Jessie Montgomery
Sphinx Virtuosi
Thomas Mesa, cello
DG 4865014

Sinfonia No. 5 “Visions”
George Walker
Franz Welser-Most, conductor
Cleveland Orchestra
TCO 5

Quintet: Awashoha
James Lee III
Pacifica Quartet
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Cedille 216

Rhapsody
Stewart Goodyear
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Orchid 100365

Pulse
Brian Raphael Nabors
Kensho Watanabe, conductor
Minnesota Orchestra

String Quartet No. 1 “Neo-Soul”: Bop
Damien Geter
Ines Voglar Belgique, violin

Elegy
Courtney Bryan
Ensemble Pi
Bright Shiny Things 1083

Records from a Vanishing City
Jessie Montgomery
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
SPCO Live Recording 030924

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, the 2025 Grammy nominations for classical recordings have been announced — and they are filled with modern classical music. Steve Seel shares two hours of thrilling samples, including Gabriela Ortiz’ Revolucion diamantina, Kevin Puts’ Home, David Lang’s composition as explanation, Andrea Casarrubios’ SEVEN and much more. Listen now!

Playlist

composition as explanation: intertext
David Lang
eighth blackbird
Cedille 250

To Music
Caroline Shaw/So Percussion
So Percussion
Caroline Shaw, vocals
Nonesuch 726502

Revolucion diamantina: Todas
Gabriela Ortiz
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Los Angeles Phiharmonic Orchestra
LA Phil 2

A Prayer
Rene Orth
Will Liverman, baritone
Cedille 226

Revelry
Valerie Coleman
Decoda
Bright Shiny Things 203

Altar de cuerda: Maya deco
Gabriela Ortiz
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Los Angeles Phiharmonic Orchestra
Maria Duenas, violin
LA Phil 2

Colorful History
Timo Andres
Timo Andres, piano
Nonesuch 726374

composition as explanation: of course it is beautiful
David Lang
eighth blackbird
Cedille 250

Home
Kevin Puts
Miro Quartet
Pentatone 7227

BeLonging: Loved
Andy Akiho
Andy Akiho, steel pan
Aki Rhythm

BeLonging: BeLoved
Andy Akiho
Imani Winds
Andy Akiho, steel pan
Aki Rhythm

SEVEN
Andrea Casarrubios
Claire Bryant, cello
Bright Shiny Things 178

Resurrexit
Mason Bates
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Reference 757

As we mourn the continuing devastation of the fires in Los Angeles, we’ll hear music that acknowledges the precarious state of our environment on this episode of Extra Eclectic. Philip Glass’ monumental music for Koyaanisqatsi, Stephen Scott’s Afternoon of a Fire for bowed piano ensemble, a selection from Laurie Anderson’s Landfall, and Steven Stucky’s salute to Rachel Carson’s seminal book Silent Spring are among the works featured. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

A Pile of Dust
Johann Johannsson
Anthony Weeden, conductor
Air Lyndhurst String Orchestra
DG 25431

Afternoon of a Fire
Stephen Scott
The Bowed Piano Ensemble
Saraiya Ruano, Native American flute
Navona 5937

Landfall: Everything is Floating
Laurie Anderson
Kronos Quartet
Laurie Anderson, violin, vocals, keyboards, samples, percussion, filters
Nonesuch 564164

Three Passions for Our Tortured Planet: Winds
Brian Field
Kay Kyung Eun Kim, piano
Steinway & Sons 30230

Silent Spring
Steven Stucky
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Reference 747

Earthview
Nathaniel Heyder
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp
Azica 71349

Koyaanisqatsi (Life Out of Balance): Pruit Igoe
Philip Glass
Michael Riesman, conductor
Philip Glass Ensemble
Nonesuch 79506

A Native Hill: Topsoil
Gavin Bryars
Donald Nally, conductor
The Crossing
Navona 6347

Solstice: Garden of the Sun
Lou Harrison
Barry Jekowsky, conductor
California Symphony
Argo 455590

String Quartet No. 1 “Shades of Green”
Clint Needham
Poiesis Quartet
Bright Shiny Things 213

Dream
John Cage
Bruce Brubaker, piano

Tessellations
Gabriella Smith
yMusic
New Amsterdam 135

Everything Passes, Everything is Connected
Samantha Fernando
Donald Nally, conductor
The Crossing
New Focus 357

Sun Rings: One Earth, One People, One Love
Terry Riley
Kronos Quartet
Nonesuch 549523

This week’s episode of Extra Eclectic examines memory through music. Host Steve Seel features works on themes of memory by Esa-Pekka Salonen (Memoria), Christopher Tignor (Known by Heart), Meredith Monk (Memory Zone from On Behalf of Nature) and Steven Mackey’s massive Mnemosyne’s Pool, honoring the Greek goddess of memory. Listen now!

Playlist

Air to Breath
Daniel Bjarnason
Gyda Valtysdottir, cello
Dorian 70012

Dreaming
Anna Thorvaldsdottir
Daniel Bjarnason, conductor
Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Dorian 92213

Known By Heart
Christopher Tignor
Christopher Tignor, violin
Western Vinyl 200

Memoria
Esa-Pekka Salonen
The City of Tomorrow
New Focus 294

silhouette, mirror
Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti
Talla Rouge
Bright Shiny Things 202

On Behalf of Nature: Memory Zone
Meredith Monk
Meredith Monk Ensemble
ECM 2473

Mnemosyne's Pool
Steven Mackey
David Robertson, conductor
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Canary 22

Memories
Djivan Gasparian
Maya Beiser, cello
Innova 778

Steve Seel presents a unique installment on this week’s episode of Extra Eclectic, with the help of YourClassical MPR Fellow (and anime enthusiast) Akshaj Turebylu: two hours of music from the world of anime — Japanese animation. We hear from Michiru Oshima and Akira Senju’s scores to the series Full Metal Alchemist, Yoshihisa Hirano’s music for Death Note, Shigeaki Saegusa’s Gundam, Shiro Sagisu’s scores to the massive anime phenomenon Neon Genesis Evangelion, and much more. Listen now!

Playlist

Full Metal Alchemist Original: Hagane no Kokoro
Akira Senju
Michiru Oshima
Conductor: Akira Senju

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: Xing Symphony - Overture
Akira Senju
Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings
Conductor: Akira Senju

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: The Fullmetal Alchemist - Legato
Akira Senju
Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings
Conductor: Akira Senju

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: Nocturne of Amestris - Duet
Akira Senju
Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings
Conductor: Akira Senju

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: Entr’acte
Akira Senju
Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings
Conductor: Akira Senju

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: Crisis in the North
Akira Senju
Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings
Conductor: Akira Senju

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: Lapis Philosophorum
Akira Senju
Haruki Mino, piano

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: Battle Scherzo
Akira Senju
Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings
Conductor: Akira Senju

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: To Be King
Akira Senju
Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings
Conductor: Akira Senju

Death Note: Kyrie
Yoshihisa Hirano

Death Note: Teleology of Death
Yoshihisa Hirano

Death Note: Requiem
Yoshihisa Hirano

Death Note: Dirge
Yoshihisa Hirano

Death Note Symphony: L’s Theme (Orchestral Version)
Yoshihisa Hirano

Berserk: Behelit
Susumu Hirasawa

Berserk: Guts
Susumu Hirasawa

Gundam: Aurora
Shigeaki Saegusa
Masatsugu Shinozaki Orchestra Project
Conductor: Shigeaki Saegusa

Bleach: On Precipice of Defeat
Shiro Sagisu
London Studio Orchestra
Masakazu Morita, vocals
Conductor: James Shearman

Bleach: Into the Fire (orchestra)
Shiro Sagisu
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Masamichi Amano

Bleach: Here to Stay (orchestra)
Shiro Sagisu
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Masamichi Amano

Hunter x Hunter: The World of Adventurers (Kanzenban)
Yoshihisa Hirano

Hunter x Hunter: Ginpatsu No Shonen (Killua's Theme)
Yoshihisa Hirano

Evangelion: EVA-01
Shiro Sagisu

Evangelion: A Step Forward Into Terror
Shiro Sagisu

Evangelion: The Beast
Shiro Sagisu

Evangelion: Marking Time, Waiting for Death
Shiro Sagisu

Evangelion II: Thanatos
Shiro Sagisu

End of Evangelion: Taikou eno Kinkyuuhinan
Shiro Sagisu
Conductor: Shiro Sagisu

End of Evangelion: II Air
Shiro Sagisu
Conductor: Shiro Sagisu

End of Evangelion: Jesus bleibet meine Freude
Shiro Sagisu
Jan Panenka, piano

Made in Abyss: Made in Abyss
Kevin Penkin
Synchron Stage Orchestra
Conductor: Kevin Penkin

Made in Abyss: Roar of the Abyss
Kevin Penkin
Synchron Stage Orchestra
Conductor: Kevin Penkin

Made in Abyss: Underground River
Kevin Penkin
Synchron Stage Orchestra
Raj Ramayya, vocals
Conductor: Kevin Penkin

Made in Abyss: The First Layer
Kevin Penkin
Synchron Stage Orchestra
Conductor: Kevin Penkin

Made in Abyss: Depths of the Abyss
Kevin Penkin
Synchron Stage Orchestra
Conductor: Kevin Penkin

Look Back: Nagareyuku kisetsu
Haruka Nakamura

Look Back: RE: SIN
Haruka Nakamura

Look Back: Kagayaita kisetsu
Haruka Nakamura

Look Back: Final One
Haruka Nakamura

Attack on Titan: eye-water
Hiroyuki Sawano
nZk Philharmonic Orchestra

It’s an annual tradition: Extra Eclectic’s Winter Solstice episode, with modern classical sounds to compliment the longest nights of the year and the traditions and rituals of warmth that accompany them. Steve Seel features selections from Donnacha Dennehy’s suite Land of Winter, Eric Whitacre’s Nox Aurumque, Mary Lattimore’s electric harp piece The Quiet at Night, and much more. And if you enjoy this week’s show, be sure to listen to Steve’s one-hour seasonal special that features much more modern music in this same vein: In Winter's Glow, from American Public Media.

Playlist

For Now I Am Winter
Composer: Olafur Arnalds
Orchestra/Ensemble: Voces8
London/Decca 25736

Land of Winter: December
Composer: Donnacha Dennehy
Conductor: Alan Pierson
Orchestra/Ensemble: Alarm Will Sound
Nonesuch 78994

Land of Winter: June and July
Composer: Donnacha Dennehy
Conductor: Alan Pierson
Orchestra/Ensemble: Alarm Will Sound
Nonesuch 78994

Nox Aurumque
Composer: Eric Whitacre
Conductor: Eric Whitacre
Orchestra/Ensemble: Eric Whitacre Singers
London/Decca 14850

While an Angel Falls into a Doze...
Composer: Takashi Yoshimatsu
Conductor: Sachio Fujioka
Orchestra/Ensemble: Manchester Camerata
Chandos 9652

The Quiet at Night
Composer: Mary Lattimore
Soloists: Mary Lattimore, harp
Ghostly 260

Night Song
Composer: Wayne Barlow
Conductor: Howard Hanson
Orchestra/Ensemble: Eastman Philharmonia
Mercury 434347

Winter
Composer: Rebecca Dale
Conductor: Angele Dubeau
Orchestra/Ensemble: La Pieta
Soloists: Angele Dubeau, violin
Analekta 8754

Song for Octave
Composer: Bryce Dessner
Soloists: Mari Samuelsen, violin
DG 4865773

Within Her Arms
Composer: Anna Clyne
Conductor: Eric Jacobsen
Orchestra/Ensemble: The Knights
Sony 31713

Reflection
Composer: Sufjan Stevens
Soloists: Katia Labeque, piano
DG 4876947

Incantation of Vowels
Composer: Zibuokle Martinaityte
Conductor: Sigvards Klava
Orchestra/Ensemble: Latvian Radio Choir
Ondine 1447

Fridur
Composer: Linda Buckley
Soloists: Isabelle O'Connell, piano
NMC 258

As we get closer to the longest nights of the year, Steve Seel brings us some atmospheric modern works for clear, cold night skies on this week’s episode of Extra Eclectic. Michael Ippolito’s Big Sky, Low Horizon, Elena Ruehr’s Cloud Atlas, Andrea Torrodi’s String Quartet No. 3 (Light Scattering) and Kaija Saariaho’s Winter Sky are among the selections. Listen now!

Playlist

Big Sky, Low Horizon
Michael Ippolito
Attacca Quartet

Ciel d’Hiver (Winter Sky)
Kaija Saariaho
Hannu Lintu, conductor
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ondine 1309

String Quartet No. 3 “Light Scattering”
Andrea Tarrodi
Dahlkvist Quartet
dB Productions 180

Cloud Atlas
Elena Ruehr
Gil Rose, conductor
Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Jennifer Kloetzel, cello
BMOP/sound 1039

There Will Be Hope
Hania Rani/Dobrawa Czocher
Hania Rani, piano and vocals
DG 4860603

Sleep: Path 19
Max Richter
American Contemporary Music Ensemble
Max Richter, electronics
DG 4795258

Jhula-Jhule
Reena Esmail
Dawn Dongeun Wohn, violin
Delos 3547

A Place We Once Walked
Roger Eno
Scoring Berlin
Roger Eno, piano
DG 4862026

Breath
Paul Fowler
Donald Nally, conductor
The Crossing
Navona 5845

Pari Intervallo (Parallel Intervals)
Arvo Pärt
Khatia Buniatishvili, piano
Sony 79577

Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg wanted to create sounds that hover in his Viola Concerto, and it seems he succeeded — as we hear in one of the showcased works on this episode of Extra Eclectic. Host Steve Seel also presents Lignum by Latvian composer Jekabs Jancevskis, a violin concerto of sorts (which also features the mesmerizing sound of three traditional Latvian folk flutes), as well as Bryce Dessner’s Concerto for Two Pianos, featuring pianist sisters Katia and Marielle Labeque.

Playlist

Pol
Johann Johannsson
Echo Collective
DG 4837218

Baltic Sketches
Stephen Scott
The Bowed Piano Ensemble
Navona 5937

Viola Concerto
Magnus Lindberg
Nicholas Collon, conductor
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Power, viola
Ondine 1436

Cerulean: Lullaby
David Biedenbender
Donald Sinta Quartet
Bright Shiny Things 133

Ave Maria
Alfred Momotenko
Sigvards Klava, conductor
Latvian Radio Choir
Ondine 1413

Lignum
Jekabs Jancevskis
Kremerata Baltica
Alina Vizine, Zane Kalnina, Rakele Chijenaite, svilpaunieki
ECM 2745

Cloud
yMusic
yMusic
StorySound 161050

Concerto for Two Pianos
Bryce Dessner
Matthias Pintscher, conductor
Paris Orchestra
Katia Labeque, piano
DG 4818074

Closing
Philip Glass
Katia Labeque, piano
DG 4876947

Who says modern classical can’t be gorgeous? Not us! On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, host Steve Seel helps take the edge off the night before Thanksgiving with good music to calm your nerves after a day of traveling — or maybe you just need some solace now that the in-laws are in town. You’ll hear Home, by Kevin Puts; one of Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Serenades for Violin; plus music by Arvo Part, Judd Greenstein, Jane Antonio Cornish and more.  

Playlist

Sunrise
Connor Chee
Connor Chee, piano
Wild Saguaro 2020

Sunset
Connor Chee
Connor Chee, piano
Wild Saguaro 2020

Chaconne
Norman Dello Joio
James Sedares, conducto
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Koch 7243

Home: 1st movement
Kevin Puts
Miro Quartet
Pentatone 7227

Piano Concerto No. 3: 3rd movement
Philip Glass
A Far Cry Orchestra
Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Orange Mountain 127

Winter Song
Gordon Getty
Matt Haimovitz, cello
Pentatone 7161

again (after ecclesiastes)
David Lang
Paul Hillier, conductor
Theatre of Voices
Harmonia Mundi 807496

Two Serenades: Serenade pour la vie
Einojuhani Rautavaara
Mikko Franck, conductor
Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra
Hilary Hahn, violin
DG 4839847

Things We Trust In
Robert Jurjendal
Volkmar Zimmermann, guitar
Albany 1738

Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the Mirror)
Arvo Part
Lisa Batiashvili, violin
DG 15203

Still Point
Judd Greenstein
A Far Cry Orchestra
Awadagin Pratt, piano
New Amsterdam 177

Soliloquy
Jennifer Higdon
Lark Quartet
Susan Glaser, flute
Koch 7738

Sky
Jane Antonia Cornish
Vicky Chow, piano
Canteloupe 21174