Poster Portrait of composer Joby Talbot
This episode of 'Extra Eclectic' features music by composer Joby Talbot.
Anna McCarthy
Extra Eclectic

Ballet for modern times

Extra Eclectic - July 23, 2025

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, from Thomas Ades’ Dante, Joby Talbot’s Transit of Venus, Elena Kats-Chernin’s Wild Swans, and much more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

“Still Life” at the Penguin Cafe: Air a Danser
Simon Jeffes
Barry Wordsworth, conductor
BBC Concert Orchestra
Isobel Bradshaw, contralto
London/Decca 425218

Facades
Philip Glass
Michael Riesman, conductor
Glass Ensemble
Sony 62960

Green
Michael Torke
David Zinman, conductor
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Argo 452101

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

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

Wild Swans: Eliza’s Aria
Elena Kats-Chernin
Nicola Sweeney, violin
Signum 58

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

A Ballet Through Mud: A Ballet Through Mud
RZA
Christopher Dragon, conductor
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
36 Chambers 22

Transit of Venus
Joby Talbot
Jess Gillam Ensemble
Jess Gillam, soprano saxophone
DG 4851062

Violin Concerto: 3rd movement
John Adams
Kent Nagano, conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
Gidon Kremer, violin
Nonesuch 512396

Infra 5
Max Richter
Kristjan Jarvi, conductor
Baltic Sea Philharmonic
DG 4860449

Dante: Paradiso
Thomas Ades
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Nonesuch 714908

DESH: Storm Engine
Jocelyn Pook
Bulgarian Orchestra
Labik Kamal, dotar
Pook Music 1

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

A new day

A new day

As ‘Extra Eclectic’ moves to its new Monday evening time slot, host Steve Seel centers the show’s first hour on themes of “a new day,” including works by John Adams, Thomas Ades and Dobrinka Tabakova. Listen now!

1:59:00
Night and day

Night and day

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we’re looking skyward, toward both the sun and the stars. Selections include music by Meredith Monk, Max Richter, Terry Riley and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Big and small music

Big and small music

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ our theme is a simple one: “big” and “small” pieces. In the first hour, the works come in large sizes, including Steve Reich’s ‘Music for a Large Ensemble.’ We get small in the second hour with Nico Muhly’s ‘Small Variations.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Music for loss and longing

Music for loss and longing

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we hear music that honors sadness, grief and healing. Selections include Tamar Sagiv’s ‘Shades of Mourning,’ “Longing” from Dobrinka Tabakova’s Concerto for Cello and Strings and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

2:00:00
New music for a new year

New music for a new year

With a new year, we bring you two hours of new works on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ and it’s hard to think of a better way to go than by focusing on the composers who are emerging as the voices taking classical music into the future: the women. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Winter music: part two

Winter music: part two

As has become a tradition on Extra Eclectic this time of year, we enjoy more modern classical sounds to compliment the cold, starry nights of winter on this episode. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

2:00:00
Winter music: part one with guest host Ward Jacobson

Winter music: part one with guest host Ward Jacobson

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Ward Jacobson shares a soundtrack for cold, dark evenings. Hear seasonal and atmospheric music by Hildur Gudnadottir, Pauline Oliveros and Kaija Saariaho. Listen now!

1:58:58
New music for piano with guest host Jake Armerding

New music for piano with guest host Jake Armerding

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Jake Armerding shares recent recordings by Marc-Andre Hamelin, Hania Rani and Georgijs Osokins. Selections include compositions by Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, Radiohead and more. Listen now!

1:58:55
Thanksgiving Eve with guest host Scott Blankenship

Thanksgiving Eve with guest host Scott Blankenship

This episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ features gentle sounds that evoke feelings of place, gratitude and stillness. Selections include music by Kevin Puts, David Lang and Robert Honstein. Listen now with guest host Scott Blankenship!

1:58:57
Autumn landscapes with guest host Jake Armerding

Autumn landscapes with guest host Jake Armerding

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ as the trees lose their leaves and darkness comes earlier every evening, we’ll reflect on the beauty of autumn and nighttime with music by Alex Berko, Joby Talbot and Elena Ruehr. Listen now with guest host Jake Armerding!

1:58:59
VIEW ALL EPISODES
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00