Extra Eclectic

Steve Seel presents his annual winter solstice program, with modern classical sounds for the longest night of the year, chosen especially to compliment the chilly, starry nights of the season. It's music that explores stillness and contemplation on this episode of Extra Eclectic.

The winter solstice is almost here — but for one more week, the days are still getting shorter. As we experience the longest nights of winter together, Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel shares a program on themes of darkness and light.

Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel features Howard Skempton on the first hour of this week's show, and in the second hour, a piece by John Luther Adams that typifies his Alaska-inspired musical landscapes: ‘In a Treeless Place, Only Snow.’

Arvo Part’s Tabula Rasa -"blank slate"- describes the beginning of this new phase of Part's career, and it's long been considered one of his signature works. Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel features his work as the centerpiece of this week's first hour, and in the second hour, composer David Lang offers his own fond interpretation of words from the biblical Book of Ruth.

For composer Derrick Skye, the well-being of American society depends on intercultural collaborations. Extra Eclectic guest host Scott Blakenship features Sky’s work in the first hour of this week's program. He features work from composer Todd Reynolds and Jennifer Higdon in the second hour.

Philip Glass’ Piano Concerto No. 3 was born after he was wowed by pianist Simone Dinnerstein’s talent on the keys when she played Bach and Schubert. Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel features Glass’ work in the first hour of this week's program. In the second hour, he features a selection of "lullabies" by composers Nico Muhly, Paula Matthusen, David Lang and David Biedenbender. 

This episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ presents a cornucopia of works on themes of America, travel, autumn and the idea of home. Bill Morelock is the guest host.

As the nights grow longer and cooler, Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel takes the opportunity to sample from the wealth of modern classical works that perfectly complement the mood of an autumnal evening.

In this half-hour interview, Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel sits down with Minnesota guitarist and composer Steve Tibbetts, who doesn't make “classical music” by any stretch of the imagination — nor is it jazz or rock. Seel talks with him on the occasion of the release of ‘Hellbound Train,’ a new two-disc showcase of what Tibbetts describes as his style of ‘post-modern neo-primitivism.’

Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel speaks with composer Missy Mazzoli ahead of Journey North Opera Company's staging of the Minnesota premiere of ‘Proving Up,’ taking place Nov. 11-13 at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.