It’s been 50 years since Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the Global Village,” and today, we’re seeing it more than ever, even in classical music. On this episode of Extra Eclectic, Steve Seel brings us examples of composers and performers reaching across cultural lines in their works, including Terry Riley’s The Cusp of Magic, Dan Visconti’s Native Tongues and an original piece by oud player Issam Rafea and pipa virtuoso Gao Hong.
Playlist
Bond of the Beloved
Composer: Layale Chaker
Soloists: Jennifer Koh, violin
Native Tongues
Composer: Dan Visconti
Orchestra/Ensemble: Fifth House Ensemble
Soloists: Yael Badash, vocals
Cedille 164
Walking the Distance
Composer: Issam Rafea/Gao Hong
Soloists: Issam Rafea, oud
Innova 997
Clarinet Concerto
Composer: Malek Jandali
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Soloists: Anthony McGill, clarinet
Cedille 220
On Anxiety
Composer: Fuse & Kinan Azmeh
Orchestra/Ensemble: Fuse
Fusemusic 2024
Beijing Harmony
Composer: Michael Gordon
Conductor: Pablo Rus Broseta
Orchestra/Ensemble: Seattle Symphony
Cantaloupe 21141
The Cusp of Magic: Royal Wedding
Composer: Terry Riley
Orchestra/Ensemble: Kronos Quartet
Soloists: Wu Man, pipa
Nonesuch 360508
Kaylvi
Composer: Asha Srinivasan
Orchestra/Ensemble: Pan Pacific Ensemble
Albany 1772
Wild Grass on the Riverbank
Composer: Chad Cannon
Conductor: Yuga Cohler
Orchestra/Ensemble: Asia/America New Music Institute Los Angeles Ensemble
Soloists: Davone Tines, bass-baritone
Delos 3555
Beloved (Wa Habibi)
Composer: Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble: Kronos Quartet
Nonesuch 518349
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