Poster Portrait of composer Gabriela Lena Frank
This episode of 'Extra Eclectic' features music by Gabriela Lena Frank.
Mariah Tauger 
Extra Eclectic

Night and the city

Extra Eclectic - Aug. 13, 2025

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. John Adams’ City Noir is an explicit ode to 40s and 50s noir in its jazz overtones and smoky vibe, and urban nightlife is celebrated elsewhere in Gabriela Lena Frank’s Manhattan Serenades and Michael Tilson Thomas’ You Come Here Often?. In the second hour, Steve Seel returns to a favorite subject — the night sky — with selections including Elena Ruehr’s Shimmer and David Bruce’s The Eye of Night

Playlist

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

Manhattan Serenades
Gabriela Lena Frank
Aron Zelkowicz, cello
Toccata 23

City Noir
John Adams
Marin Alsop, conductor
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Naxos 559935

Floating City
Julia Kent
Julia Kent, cello
Leaf 106

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

Shimmer
Elena Ruehr 
Gil Rose, conductor
Boston Modern Orchestra Project
BMOP/sound 1039

The Eye of Night
David Bruce
hat trick
Bridge 9595

Just Constellations: The Opening Constellation: Summer
Michael Harrison
Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 134

Aurora ficta
Stephen Scott
The Bowed Piano Ensemble
Navona 5937

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

Kevin Puts' new concerto

Kevin Puts' new concerto

A Concerto for Orchestra is usually a piece that gives each section of the orchestra a turn in the spotlight — and there’s a new one, from American composer Kevin Puts, that host Steve Seel shares with us on the lateset episode of Extra Eclectic.

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