Poster Composer Michael Gandolfi
Michael Gandolfi's 'Imaginary Numbers' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
courtesy of artist
Extra Eclectic

Math meets music

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 8, 2025

We get mathematical on this episode of Extra Eclectic with one of John Cage’s many number pieces, Four2, and we’ll hear Michael Gandolfi’s concerto for oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn: Imaginary Numbers. Plus, we contemplate the amazing spiral structure of shells with Kate Moore’s Stories for Ocean Shells and Anna Meredith’s Nautilus. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Electric Counterpoint: Fast
Steve Reich, conductor
Bryce Dessner, guitar
DG 4876947

Four2
John Cage
Sigvards Klava
Latvian Radio Choir
Aurora 5083

Imaginary Numbers
Michael Gandolfi
Robert Spano, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, oboe
ASO Media 1012

Stories for Ocean Shells
Kate Moore
Ashley Bathgate, cello
Cantaloupe 21118

Nautilus
Anna Meredith
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Platoon DALIA01

Air to Breath
Daniel Bjarnason
Gyda Valtysdottir, cello
Dorian 70012

Poems of Emily Dickinson
Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
San Francisco Symphony
Renee Fleming, soprano
Pentatone 7355

Myself when I am real
Charles Mingus
Julia Hamos, piano
Naive 8674

Dissolve, O My Heart
Missy Mazzoli
Jennifer Koh, violin
Cedille 134

Company
Philip Glass
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
The Knights
Ancalagon 137

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

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
An aurora of colors

An aurora of colors

In honor of the amazing display of northern lights seen around the world this week, Steve Seel brings us a collection of color-themed works on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Selections include music by Anna Clyne, Morton Feldman and more. Listen now!

1:58:57
Music of memory and meditation with guest host Jake Armerding

Music of memory and meditation with guest host Jake Armerding

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Jake Armerding shares pieces that explore how memory relates to the musical experience. Works include John Tavener’s ‘Eternal Memory’ and Steve Mackey’s ‘Mnemosyne’s Pool’ and more. Listen now!

1:59:59
Modern sounds for Halloween

Modern sounds for Halloween

With Halloween approaching in just a couple days, the sounds veer toward the spooky on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ featuring music by Michael Daugherty, Anna Clyne, Jakabs Jancevskis and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Classical meets jazz

Classical meets jazz

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Steve Seel brings us a classical-jazz dialogue, including jazz harpist Brandee Younger’s ‘Essence of Ruby,’ Joel Puckett’s Trumpet Concerto and music by Thelonius Monk and Wynton Marsalis. Listen now!

1:58:58
Recent discoveries and new favorites

Recent discoveries and new favorites

No, 2025 isn’t over, but that’s not stopping us from pausing to take stock of some of our favorite releases and discoveries of the year on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Host Steve Seel shares music by Reena Esmail, Shirley Thompson and more. Listen now!

1:58:59
Math meets music

Math meets music

We get mathematical on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ with John Cage’s ‘Four2,’ and we’ll hear Michael Gandolfi’s concerto for oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn: ‘Imaginary Numbers.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

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