Poster Bowed Piano
Stephen Scott and his Bowed Piano.
Joe Goetz
Extra Eclectic

What can you do with a piano?

Extra Eclectic -March 23

What kinds of different sounds can be coaxed from a piano? 20th and 21st-century composers have found a few novel answers to that question. By doubling or quadrupling them, or in some cases, taking entirely strange and unique approaches to trigger their sounds. Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel shares some examples including the "bowed" piano music of Stephen Scott and the "rescued" piano of Sophia Subbayya Vastek. In the show's second hour, Seel makes no apologies for an hour simply of "lovely" modern classical music, from the likes of George Pelecis, Hugi Gudmundsson, and Reena Esmail.

Episode Playlist

Balinese Ceremonial Music: Taboeh Teloe
Colin Mcphee (Composer)
Peter Pears: Balinese Ceremonial Music (Album)
Nico Muhly, Piano (Soloist)
Duration: 4:44

Phantom Waltz
Meredith Monk (Composer)
Double Edge: U.S. Choice (Album)
Double Edge (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Edmund Niemann, Piano (Soloist)
Duration: 6:52

When The Machine Rhymes With My Body
Julie Herndon (Composer)
Breathing, Remembering, Dissolving (Album)
Kukuruz Quartet (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 12:18

Tatus
Sophia Subbayya Vastek (Composer)
In Our Softening (Album)
Sophia Subbayya Vastek, Piano (Soloist)
Duration: 3:03

Afternoon Of A Fire
Stephen Scott (Composer)
Stephen Scott: Ice And Fire (Album)
The Bowed Piano Ensemble (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Saraiya Ruano, Native American Flute (Soloist)
Duration: 7:57

El Chan
Bryce Dessner (Composer)
El Chan (Album)
Katia & Marielle Labeque, Pianos (Soloist)
Duration: 15:36

Over
Peter Gregson (Composer)
Patina (Album)
Peter Gregson, Cello (Soloist)
Duration: 4:36

Women Talking: Peace Of God
Hildur Gudnadottir (Composer)
Women Talking Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Album)
Studio Ensemble (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 2:18

Repose
Hugi Gudmundsson (Composer)
Hordur Askelsson (Conductor)
Meditatio (Album)
Schola Cantorum Reykjavik (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 3:33

Nevertheless
Georgs Pelecis (Composer)
From My Home (Album)
German Chamber Philharmonic (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Gidon Kremer, Violin (Soloist)
Duration: 27:52

Tomorrow's Song
Olafur Arnalds (Composer)
The Glass Effect: The Music Of Philip Glass (Album)
Lavinia Meijer, Harp (Soloist)
Duration: 3:07

Jhula-Jhule
Reena Esmail (Composer)
Perspectives (Album)
Dawn Donegun Wohn, Violin (Soloist)
Duration: 10:51

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES
A celebration of the earth

A celebration of the earth

We’re contemplating the importance and mystery of our planet on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with two hours of Earth-themed works, including selections from the 2025 BBC Proms festival. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Honoring the past

Honoring the past

Jay Capperauld’s work ‘Bruckner’s Skull’ begins our summer of highlights from this year’s BBC Proms Festival on ‘Extra Eclectic’, and also serves as point of departure for this show’s theme of contemporary composers honoring composers from the past. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Night and the city

Night and the city

You’ll swear Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade is on the trail of his latest case while listening to this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ — as we listen to music depicting the mystery and romance of the city at night. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
A cellist for the 21st century

A cellist for the 21st century

Maya Beiser has been called “queen of the avant-garde cello,” with her adventurous and idiosyncratic performances and recordings. We listen to selections from her new release, ‘Salt,’ on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
The world above

The world above

We’re looking skyward on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with music celebrating the sun, the stars and even the aurora. We hear Max Richter’s music from the film ‘Ad Astra,’ Jacob ter Velduis’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (‘Sky Falling’), Olivia Bellis’ ‘Limina Luminis’ and much more. 

1:59:56
Ballet for modern times

Ballet for modern times

Ballet as we know it may have first emerged in the Italian Renaissance, but even today, modern composers are still writing for the art form. On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we hear a number of contemporary ballet scores. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:57
Music that bears repeating

Music that bears repeating

Forms of repetition are explored on this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ We hear selections including ‘Divine Objects’ from Johann Johannsson’s ‘Drone Mass,’ the ‘Chaconni’ from Jennifer Higdon’s Violin Concerto, John Corigliano’s ‘Fantasia on an Ostinato’ and much more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Dance party with guest host Bonnie North

Dance party with guest host Bonnie North

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Bonnie North shares a program of modern dance music, including polonaises by Thomas Ades, excerpts from Wynton Marsalis’ ‘Blues Symphony,’ Stephen Jaffe’s ‘Light Dances’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:57
All American music with guest host Jake Armerding
1:58:58
Beethoven as a beginning

Beethoven as a beginning

In 2016, pianist Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra launched ‘Beethoven/5,’ commissioning five composers to write new piano concertos, each inspired by one of Beethoven’s. We hear two of those works on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now!

1:58:58
VIEW ALL EPISODES
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00