Poster Portrait of a woman wearing a scarf
Anne Boyd's choral work, 'As I Crossed a Bridge of Dreams' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
Jim Rolon
Extra Eclectic

Dreaming Down Under

Extra Eclectic - Sept. 24, 2025

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). The mythology of Australia’s native Aboriginal culture known as the “Dreamtime” plays a prominent role in the music of Peter Sculthorpe, Margaret Sutherland, Ross Edwards and Elena Kats-Chernin, and the diverse sonic terrain covered in their works culminates with Anna Boyd’s mesmerizing choral work As I Crossed a Bridge of Dreams. Listen now!

Playlist

The Harp and the Moon: 1st movement
Ross Edwards
Emily Granger, harp
Avie 2495

Haunted Hills
Margaret Sutherland
Jaime Martin, conductor
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
2025 BBC Proms Prom 54

Maranoa Lullaby
Peter Sculthorpe
Brodsky Quartet
Anne Sofie von Otter, alto
Challenge 72007

Cello Dreaming
Peter Sculthorpe
Richard Tognetti, conductor
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Emma-Jane Murphy, cello
Chandos 10063

Canon
Kate Moore
Saskia Lankhoorn, piano
ECM 2344

Butterflying
Elena Kats-Chernin
Nicola Sweeney, violin
Signum 58

Eyes on the Sun
Sophie Hutchings
Sophie Hutchings, piano
Mercury KX 90583

Arafura Dances
Ross Edwards
Paul Daniel, conductor
English Chamber Orchestra
John Williams, guitar
JCW 3

Torua
Gillian Whitehead
Hilary Hahn, violin
DG 19103

Calliope Dreaming
Elena Kats-Chernin
Trio Arbos
Non Profit 1112

As I Crossed a Bridge of Dreams
Anne Boyd
Paul Hillier, conductor
Ars Nova Copenhagen
Dacapo 220597

Day’s End
John Williams
John Williams, guitar
JCW 1

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