Poster Composer Reena Esmail.
This episode of 'Extra Eclectic' features music by Reena Esmail.
Courtesy of the artist.
Extra Eclectic

Recent discoveries and new favorites

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 15, 2025

No, 2025 isn’t over, but that’s not stopping us from pausing to take stock in some of our favorite releases and recent discoveries of the year on the latest episode of Extra Eclectic. Steve Seel shares the Ember Trio’s new recording of Saans by Reena Esmail, the Black Oak Ensemble’s performance of Shirley Thompson’s Dance of the Night Sky and pianist James McVinne’s reading of Gabriella Smith’s terrific, piece Imaginary Pancake. We also enjoy a number of works by Arvo Pärt as we continue to celebrate the composer’s 90th birthday this year.

Playlist

Credo: 4th movement
Composer: David Sanford
Orchestra/Ensemble: Meridian Arts Ensemble
8bells 20

Silhouette
Composer: Arvo Pärt
Conductor: Paavo Järvi
Orchestra/Ensemble: Estonian Festival Orchestra
Alpha 1158

In My Blue
Composer: Tamar Sagiv
Soloists: Tamar Sagiv, cello
Dorian 70041

Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the Mirror)
Composer: Arvo Pärt
Soloists: Sasha Boldachev, harp
PentaTone 7517

Dance of the Night Sky
Composer: Shirley Thompson
Orchestra/Ensemble: Black Oak Ensemble
Cedille 237

Imaginary Pancake
Composer: Gabriella Smith
Soloists: James McVinnie, piano
Pentatone 7404

Echorus
Composer: Philip Glass
Orchestra/Ensemble: Academy Virtuosi
Soloists: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Platoon 2025

Lamento d’Arianna
Composer: Claudio Monteverdi
Soloists: Maya Beiser, cello
Islandia 16

Saans
Composer: Reena Esmail
Orchestra/Ensemble: Ember
Azica 71383

Katarsis
Composer: Andrew Smith
Orchestra/Ensemble: New York Polyphony
Bis 2719

Lost One
Composer: Austin Wulliman
Orchestra/Ensemble: JACK Quartet
Dorian 70037

Organum Light
Composer: Dobrinka Tabakova
Conductor: Julian Azkoul
Orchestra/Ensemble: United Strings of Europe
Bis 2739

Stone/Like Stillness
Composer: Peter Garland
Soloists: Carson Cooman, organ
Cold Blue 70

Swansong
Composer: Arvo Pärt
Conductor: Paavo Järvi
Orchestra/Ensemble: Estonian Festival Orchestra
Alpha 1158

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