Poster Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre's 'The Seal Lullaby' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
Mark Royce
Extra Eclectic

Lullabies for everyone

Extra Eclectic - March 23, 2026

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, enjoy music of nocturnal calm and comfort — often in the form of lullabies, but sometimes, dreams and night-time journeys. Eric Whitacre’s The Seal Lullaby sets Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The White Seal,” while Reena Esmail's Jhula-Jhule finds its inspiration in Indian folk songs she recalls from her childhood, and Arvo Part’s Spiegel im Spiegel isn't technically a lullaby, but definitely has the gentle, tender quality of one. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Harp Concerto: Lullaby
Composer: Jennifer Higdon
Conductor: Ward Stare
Orchestra/Ensemble: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Soloists: Yolanda Kondonassis, harp
Azica 71327

Skylark Lullaby
Composer: Jennifer Bellor
Conductor: Chien-Kwan Lin
Orchestra/Ensemble: Eastman Saxophone Project
Innova 45

The Currents
Composer: Sarah Kirkland Snider
Soloists: Orli Shaham, piano
Pacific Symphony 2026

Song for Octave
Composer: Bryce Dessner
Soloists: Mari Samuelsen, violin

Concerto Duo: Mama Dee's Song for Joel
Composer: Joel Puckett
Conductor: Allen Tinkham
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Soloists: Anthony McGill, clarinet
Cedille 187

Before Sleep and Dreams: Lullaby
Composer: Aaron Jay Kernis
Soloists: David Tanenbaum, guitar
Naxos 574298

The Seal Lullaby
Composer: Eric Whitacre
Orchestra/Ensemble: Voces8
Soloists: Lavinia Meijer, harp

Lullaby for Lise
Composer: Meredith Monk
Soloists: Katie Geissinger, voice
ECM 2751

Prince of Clouds
Composer: Anna Clyne
Conductor: Vinay Parameswaran
Orchestra/Ensemble: Curtis 20/21 Ensemble
Soloists: Jennifer Koh, violin
Cedille 146

Whispered Lullaby
Composer: Dobrinka Tabakova
Soloists: Maxim Rysanov, viola
Avie 2111

Estonian Lullaby
Composer: Veljo Tormis
Orchestra/Ensemble: Hilliard Ensemble
ECM 1700

Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the Mirror)
Composer: Arvo Part
Soloists: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Koch 7762

Midnight Sun Variations
Composer: Outi Tarkiainen
Conductor: Nicholas Collon
Orchestra/Ensemble: Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ondine 1432

Jhula-Jhule
Composer: Reena Esmail
Soloists: Dawn Dongeun Wohn, violin
Delos 3547

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