Poster Composer Gabriela Ortiz
With a new album, prestigious residencies and a star conductor championing her music, Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz is finally getting the recognition she deserves.
Marta Arteaga
Extra Eclectic

Women at the forefront

Extra Eclectic - March 2, 2026

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, including selections from Caroline Shaw, Jennifer Higdon, Gabriela Ortiz, Anna Clyne, Reena Esmail, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Anna Thorvaldsdottir and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Heartbreaker
Missy Mazzoli
Michael Mizrahi, piano
New Amsterdam 75

Blueprint
Caroline Shaw
Aizuri Quartet
New Amsterdam 104

Viola Concerto
Jennifer Higdon
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Nashville Symphony Orchestra
Roberto Diaz, viola
Naxos 559823

Revolucion diamantina: Todas
Gabriela Ortiz
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Los Angeles Phiharmonic Orchestra
LA Phil 2

Shorthand
Anna Clyne
The Knights
Avie 2555

Miniatures: A Piacere
Vivian Fung
Maia String Quartet
John Bruce Yeh, clarinet
Cedille 100

Daughter of the Waves
Sarah Kirkland Snider
yMusic
New Amsterdam 32

Cloud Atlas
Elena Ruehr
Gil Rose, conductor
Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Jennifer Kloetzel, cello
BMOP/sound 1039

The Light Is the Same
Reena Esmail
Imani Winds
Bright Shiny Things 1038

lumee’s dream (Nadia Sirota viola study)
Ellen Reid
Nadia Sirota, viola
London/Decca 2020

Reflections
Anna Thorvaldsdottir
International Contemporary Ensemble
Dorian 92227

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Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

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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
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