Poster Derrick Skye
Derrick Skye is a composer based in Los Angeles who often integrates music practices from different cultural traditions into classical music.
Johanna Siegmann
Extra Eclectic

An American Mirror

Extra Eclectic - Feb. 23, 2026

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. Derrick Skye’s American Mirror celebrates the coming together of generations and cultures across the centuries, Jessie Montgomery’s Rounds is both a tribute to the poetry of T.S. Eliot and her own fascination with the concept of fractals, and Jlin’s Please Be Still is a percussion groove that riffs on the music of Bach. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Rubix: Play
Flutronix/Third Coast Percussion
Flutronix
Cedille 210

Rounds
Jessie Montgomery
A Far Cry Orchestra
Awadagin Pratt, piano
New Amsterdam 177

If She Could Dance Naked Under Palm Trees
Cassie Kinoshi
Jack Sheen, conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
LSO Live

Horseplay
Errollyn Wallen
Philip Headlam, conductor
Continuum Ensemble
Avie 6

Symphony in One Movement
Julia Perry
James Blachly, conductor
Experiential Orchestra

Between Worlds
Carlos Simon
Seth Parker Woods, cello
London/Decca 4854768

Rhapsody
Stewart Goodyear
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Orchid 100365

Sinfonia No. 5 “Visions”
George Walker
Franz Welser-Most, conductor
Cleveland Orchestra
TCO 5

American Mirror, Part 1
Derrick Skye
Sphinx Virtuosi
DG 4867758

Hora
Adolphus Hailstork
Inbal Segev, cello
Avie 2464

Please Be Still
Jlin
Third Coast Percussion
Cedille 236

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

Jazz influences

Jazz influences

A performance of Wynton Marsalis’ Concerto for Orchestra recorded at the 2026 BBC Proms offers a look at modern classical works inspired by jazz on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ which also showcases works by Jon Batiste, Earl Louis Stewart and Jeff Scott. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:59:00
A brass celebration

A brass celebration

Brass instruments are the focus on episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ in solo, duo and ensemble settings. Selections include Valerie Coleman’s ‘Fanfare for Uncommon Times,’ Olivier Messiaen’s ‘Apparition du Christ Glorieux’ and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Earth sounds

Earth sounds

The Earth is our one home, and on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ contemporary composers pay tribute in their music, including Erland Cooper, whose ‘Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence’ incorporates the Earth as a collaborator. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Moments and eternities

Moments and eternities

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we hear considering both fleeting moments and the vastness of eternity, including Chris Rogerson’s ‘Thirty Thousand Days’ and Steve Reich’s ‘Proverb.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Questions and answers

Questions and answers

Host Steve Seel poses a lot of musical questions on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ and you’ll have to decide if you hear any answers. Charles Ives’ ‘The Unanswered Question’ is “answered” by Laurie Spiegel’s work ‘The Unquestioned Answer.’

1:58:58
Eternity and beyond

Eternity and beyond

While classical music can sometimes be about frivolous things, this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ is concerned strictly with ideas on a higher plane. Host Steve Seel brings us Olivia Belli’s ‘Limina Luminis,’ Arvo Pärt’s ‘Tabula Rasa’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:59
The American Vanguard

The American Vanguard

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, host Steve Seel showcases the music of giants such as Philip Glass, Meredith Monk and Steve Reich: composers who introduced fresh thinking into the genre and opened the concert hall to new audiences. Listen now!

1:58:59
Folk music inspirations

Folk music inspirations

We continue our month-long celebration of American music on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ by looking at how contemporary composers reference American folk idioms in their works, including bluegrass, hymns and lullabies. Selections include music by Daron Hagen, Jennifer Higdon and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Elements of jazz

Elements of jazz

Steve Seel presents another week of purely American sounds on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ and this time, it’s works written by musicians associated primarily with jazz. We hear works by Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny and more.

1:58:58
An American Mirror

An American Mirror

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel extends the 250th anniversary celebrations with two hours of works by contemporary American composers, including Derrick Skye, Jennifer Higdon, Jessie Montgomery, Shelley Washington, Curtis Stewart and more. Listen now!

1:58:59
VIEW ALL EPISODES
YourClassical Radio
00:00
Infinity:NaN