Poster Person in black dress with city street in the background
Jessie Montgomery's 'Starburst' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
Photo: Jiyang Chen
Extra Eclectic

Black classical musicians shine    

Extra Eclectic - Feb. 16, 2026

The latest episode of Extra Eclectic presents the first of two programs for Black History Month, with a wealth of fantastic modern classical music from Black composers and performers. Clarinetist Anthony McGill takes center stage in James Lee III’s Clarinet Quintet and Rhiannon Giddens’ radiant voice anchors Shawn E. Okpebholo’s An Echo, and Ending, and we also enjoy performances from harpist Ashley Jackson, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and pianist Lara Downes in music by Brandee Younger, Brandon Spencer, Jessie Montgomery and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Unrest
Brandee Younger
Ashley Jackson, harp
London/Decca 7583640

Starburst
Jessie Montgomery
String Orchestra
Azica 71302

Blues Symphony: Born in Hope
Wynton Marsalis
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
PentaTone 7232

I Know My Soul
Brandon Spencer
Lawrence Brownlee, tenor
Warner 57842

Quintet
James Lee III
Pacifica Quartet
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Cedille 216

Like Moons and Like Suns
Carlos Simon
Lara Downes, piano
Rising Sun 74227

Changes
Andre Myers
Andrew Sewell, conductor
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Eternal Present: Now
Shelley Washington
~nois
Bright Shiny Things 197

Amazing Grace
H. Leslie Adams
Will Liverman, baritone
Cedille 200

Warmth from Other Suns
Carlos Simon
Ivalas Quartet
Rising Sun 5

An Echo, an Ending
Shawn E. Okpebholo
Rhiannon Giddens, banjo
Cedille 234

Horizons
Tania Leon
Karina Canellakis, conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
LPO 135

Lalin
Nathalie Joachim
Tasha Warren, clarinet
Bright Shiny Things 163

Pour Toi, Mere
Sydney Guillaume
Jo-Michael Scheibe, conductor
University of Miami Chorale
Albany 707

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

Women composers at home and away

Women composers at home and away

‘Extra Eclectic’ continues its celebration of Women's History Month this week with female composers musing on the subject of home and family, nostalgia and love. Enjoy selections by Andrea Casarrubios, Gabriela Lena Frank, Chen Yi and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Women at the forefront

Women at the forefront

As Women’s History Month begins, ‘Extra Eclectic’ celebrates how women represent the vanguard of contemporary classical music today with two hours of stellar women composers. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:57
An American Mirror

An American Mirror

We continue our celebration of Black History Month on the latest episode of Extra Ecletic, with works from Black composers reflecting the rich tapestry of American music — and the music that has influenced them personally. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Black classical musicians shine    

Black classical musicians shine    

The latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ presents the first of two programs for Black History Month, with a wealth of fantastic modern classical music from Black composers and performers. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:56
Percussive possibilities

Percussive possibilities

When we hear “percussion,” we often think of drums — but the world of percussion contains so much more, and we explore that world on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ in works by Shelley Washington, Ayanna Woods, Andy Akiho and more. Listen now!

2:00:00
A new day

A new day

As ‘Extra Eclectic’ moves to its new Monday evening time slot, host Steve Seel centers the show’s first hour on themes of “a new day,” including works by John Adams, Thomas Ades and Dobrinka Tabakova. Listen now!

1:59:00
Night and day

Night and day

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we’re looking skyward, toward both the sun and the stars. Selections include music by Meredith Monk, Max Richter, Terry Riley and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Big and small music

Big and small music

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ our theme is a simple one: “big” and “small” pieces. In the first hour, the works come in large sizes, including Steve Reich’s ‘Music for a Large Ensemble.’ We get small in the second hour with Nico Muhly’s ‘Small Variations.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Music for loss and longing

Music for loss and longing

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we hear music that honors sadness, grief and healing. Selections include Tamar Sagiv’s ‘Shades of Mourning,’ “Longing” from Dobrinka Tabakova’s Concerto for Cello and Strings and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

2:00:00
New music for a new year

New music for a new year

With a new year, we bring you two hours of new works on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ and it’s hard to think of a better way to go than by focusing on the composers who are emerging as the voices taking classical music into the future: the women. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

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