Poster Composer Michael Harrison sits at a piano.
Michael Harrison's 'Just Constellations' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
UP Studio
Extra Eclectic

May the fourth

Extra Eclectic - May 4, 2026

May the 4th be with you! This annual “Star Wars Day” provides the inspiration for the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, with works about space and stars. Steve Seel also pays special tribute to American composer Michael Harrison, who died on April 17, with a performance of his choral work Just Constellations. Listen now!

Playlist

On Seven-Star-Shoes
Composer: Julia Wolfe
Orchestra/Ensemble: Quintet of the Americas
Newport 85512

Interstellar: No Time for Caution
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Soloists: Anna Lapwood, organ
Sony 67609

Voyage
Composer: Michael Giacchino
Conductor: John Morris Russell
Orchestra/Ensemble: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Fanfare Cincinnati 15

Just Constellations: The Acoustic Constellation: Spring
Composer: Michael Harrison
Orchestra/Ensemble: Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 134

Just Constellations: The Opening Constellation: Summer
Composer: Michael Harrison
Orchestra/Ensemble: Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 134

Just Constellations: The Romantic Constellation: Autumn
Composer: Michael Harrison
Orchestra/Ensemble: Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 134

Just Constellations: The Magic Constellation: Winter
Composer: Michael Harrison
Orchestra/Ensemble: Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 134

Constellation No. 2
Composer: Dustin O’Halloran/Gyda Valtysdottir
Soloists: Dustin O’Halloran, piano
DG 4839884

Invisible Dance: II. In the slow time of stars
Composer: Dorothy Chang
Conductor: Pierre Simard
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vancouver Island Symphony
Redshift Records

Ad Astra: The Wanderer
Composer: Max Richter
Conductor: Robert Ziegler
Orchestra/Ensemble: Lyndhurst Orchestra
Soloists: Max Richter, electronics
DG 4837518

Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)
Composer: Missy Mazzoli
Conductor: Daniel Bjarnason
Orchestra/Ensemble: Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Dorian 92267

Radif IV “Stars of Highest Magnitude”
Composer: Robert Morris
Orchestra/Ensemble: Galax Quartet
Soloists: David Morris, crystal goblets
Music and Arts 1297

Choirbook: The Milky Way
Composer: Jesper Koch
Conductor: Flemming Windekilde
Orchestra/Ensemble: Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Dacapo 220627

The Milky Way
Composer: Urmas Sisask
Orchestra/Ensemble: ZOFO Duet
Dorian 92178

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

Cross-cultural collaborations

Cross-cultural collaborations

On this episode of Extra Eclectic, Steve Seel brings us examples of composers and performers reaching across cultural lines, including Terry Riley’s ‘The Cusp of Magic,’ Dan Visconti’s ‘Native Tongues’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:58
Extra-musical elements

Extra-musical elements

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we hear works featuring unorthodox instruments and compositional approaches, including Echo Collective’s ‘Unknown Gates’ and Molly Joyce’s ‘It Has Not Taken Long for You to Break.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Rounds, canons and reflections

Rounds, canons and reflections

“Row, row, row your boat,” “Frere Jacques”: rounds are familiar to us all. Make a round a little more complex, and you might get a canon or a fugue. On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, host Steve Seel explores a host of such works. Listen now!

1:58:59
Feathered friends

Feathered friends

Get your binoculars out for this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’! Host Steve Seel brings us two hours of new classical works about birds, including Jennifer Higdon’s ‘An Exaltation of Larks,’ John Luther Adams’ ‘Strange Birds Passing’ and Jocelyn Morlock’s ‘Oiseaux Bleus et Sauvages.’ Listen now!

1:58:59
A spring meditation

A spring meditation

With spring in full bloom, Steve Seel brings us a bounty of “green sounds” in the first hour of this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ from Jeffrey Mumford’s ‘verdant cycles of deepening spring’ to Clint Needham’s String Quartet No. 1 (‘Shades of Green’). Listen now!

1:58:59
Beats, Bach and Beethoven

Beats, Bach and Beethoven

Composers have quoted, borrowed from, and paid tribute to earlier composers for centuries, and Steve Seel brings us some contemporary examples on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Featured composers include Caroline Shaw, Greg Saunier and Curt Sydnor. Listen now!

1:58:59
May the fourth

May the fourth

This annual “Star Wars Day” provides the inspiration for the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with works about space and stars. Steve Seel also pays tribute to composer Michael Harrison, who died on April 17, with a performance of his ‘Just Constellations.’ Listen now!

1:58:58
Earth, teach me quiet

Earth, teach me quiet

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we consider the planet we call home from several different vantage points with music by Eriks Esenvalds, Martin Bresnick, Reena Esmail and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
The natural world

The natural world

Host Steve Seel continues our celebration of Earth Month on Extra Eclectic with a nod to composers who are passionate about the protection of nature’s fragile ecosystems: Steven Stucky, Scott Lee, Gabriela Montero and more. Listen now!

1:58:59
Celebrating Earth Month

Celebrating Earth Month

To celebrate Earth Month, host Steve Seel brings us modern works on themes of water on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ including Anna Clyne’s ‘Restless Oceans,’ Jake Runestad’s ‘Waves,’ and Maya Beiser’s setting of Olivier Messiaen’s ‘Water’ from his ‘Fete des Belles Eaux.’ Listen now!

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