Poster Black-and-white photo of a woman looking backwards over her shoulder
Selections from cellist Maya Baiser's latest album, 'Salt,' are featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
Abigail Fenton
Extra Eclectic

A cellist for the 21st century

Extra Eclectic - Aug. 6, 2025

Cellist Maya Beiser has been called “queen of the avant-garde cello,” and her adventurous and idiosyncratic performances and recordings prove the title is well deserved. We listen to selections from her new release, Salt, on this episode of Extra Eclectic, featuring works by Clarice Jensen, Meredith Monk and John Tavener. Steve Seel also takes the opportunity to showcase a host of other powerful women in contemporary classical, including composers Julia Wolfe, Amanda Feery, Hildur Gudnadottir and Kate Moore. Listen now!

Playlist

Dance: When you’re broken open
Anna Clyne
Marin Alsop, conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Inbal Segev, cello
Avie 2419

Hocket
Meredith Monk
Maya Beiser, cello
Islandia 16

Pretty
Julia Wolfe
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Platoon DALIA01

Gone to Earth
Amanda Feery
Jose Antonio Zayas Caban, soprano saxophone

Lament to Phaedra
John Tavener
Maya Beiser, cello
Islandia 16

lumee’s dream (Nadia Sirota viola study)
Ellen Reid
Nadia Sirota, viola
London/Decca 2020

Song from the Uproar: This World Within Me Is Too Small
Missy Mazzoli
Jarkko Riihimaki, conductor
Berlin Free Orchestra
Emily D’Angelo, mezzo-soprano
DG 4860536

Salt Air, Salt Earth
Clarice Jensen
Maya Beiser, cello

Two Pieces for Piano: Mourning Heritage
Nina Barzegar
Ava Nazar, piano
Navona 6747

Women Talking: Speak Up
Hildur Gudnadottir
Studio Ensemble
Mercury 4876027

Canon
Kate Moore
Saskia Lankhoorn, piano
ECM 2344

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

Dreaming Down Under

Dreaming Down Under

It’s modern classical sounds from down under on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ as Steve Seel brings us a bevy of Australian composers (and one from New Zealand — since we’re right there). Listen now!

1:58:59
Hispanic Heritage Month begins

Hispanic Heritage Month begins

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we begin our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with works from Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina and Peru, including Gabriela Ortiz’ ‘Canto Abierto’ and Jimmy Lopez Bellido’s ‘Peru Negro.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
The sounds of Iceland

The sounds of Iceland

Steve Seel devotes the first hour of this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ to living Icelandic composers, including two works by Anna Thorvaldsdottir, whose Cello Concerto ‘Before We Fall’ was recorded on August 13 at this year’s BBC Proms Festival. Listen now!

1:58:59
Outer and inner space

Outer and inner space

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,' we’re considering astronomy, astrophysics, and the atomic age with works by Caroline Shaw, Meredith Monk, Mary Lattimore, Jennifer Higdon and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

2:00:00
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
VIEW ALL EPISODES
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00