Poster Kaija Saariaho
Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho was always searching for new timbres of instrumental sound. Her piece 'Ciel d’Hiver (Winter Sky)' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
Raphael Gaillarde/Getty Images
Extra Eclectic

Winter music: part one with guest host Ward Jacobson

Extra Eclectic - Dec. 12, 2025

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, guest host Ward Jacobson shares a soundtrack for cold, dark evenings. Hear seasonal and atmospheric music by Hildur Gudnadottir, Pauline Oliveros and Kaija Saariaho. Listen now!

Playlist

Polar: The Waves
Gabriel Olafs
Viktor Orri Arnason, conductor
Reykjavik Orchestra

Seasonal Music: Winter Music
Christopher Stark
Momenta Quartet
Bridge 9526

Deep Listening: Suiren
Pauline Oliveros/Stuart Dempster/Panaiotis
Pauline Oliveros, voice
New Albion 22

O Magnum Mysterium (O Great Mystery)
Ivo Antognini
Stephen Layton, conductor
Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
Hyperion 68425

Melody of Not Knowing
Hildur Gudnadottir
Hildur Gudnadottir, cello
DG 4863110

The Unquestioned Answer
Laurie Spiegel
James McVinnie, organ

sleeper’s prayer
David Lang
Benjamin Nicholas, conductor
Choir of Merton College, Oxford
Tom Fetherstonhaugh, organ
Delphian 34232

Hayy: Revealing the Tones
Michael Harrison
Michael Harrison, piano
Cantaloupe 21157

Ciel d’Hiver (Winter Sky)
Kaija Saariaho
Hannu Lintu, conductor
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ondine 1309

Sleeping Pendulum
Maria Huld Markan Sigfusdottir
Nordic Affect
Dorian 70001

Light is Calling
Michael Gordon
India Gailey, cello
Redshift 511

Drone Mass: The Mountain View, the Majesty of the Snow-Clad Peaks, from a Place of Contemplation and Reflection
Johann Johannsson
Paul Hillier, conductor
Theatre of Voices
DG 4837419

Lines Made By Walking: Down the Mountain
John Luther Adams
JACK Quartet
Cold Blue 58

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