Poster Peteris Vasks
Peteris Vasks' 'Music for a Summer Evening' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
Jānis Porietis
Extra Eclectic

Music for the summer solstice

Extra Eclectic - June 22, 2026

However you measure the beginning of summer (Memorial Day weekend? June 1? The solstice?), one thing’s certain: summer is now officially underway. Steve Seel features contemporary classical sounds for summer on this episode of Extra Eclectic, including Jonathan Bailey Holland’s Halcyon Sun, Peteris Vasks’ Music for a Summer Evening, and the late Michael Tilson Thomas’ Sunset Soliloquy. In the second hour, it’s works specifically for a summer night, including pieces by Elena Ruehr, Aaron Jay Kernis and others. Listen now!

Playlist

Midsummer Song
Composer: Arturs Maskats
Conductor: Maris Sirmais
Orchestra/Ensemble: Kamer Choir
Soloists: Rihards Zalupe, percussion
Quartz 2065

Music for a Summer Evening
Composer: Peteris Vasks
Soloists: Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano
Dorian 92251

Upon Further Reflection: Sunset Soliloquy
Composer: Michael Tilson Thomas
Soloists: John Wilson, piano
Pentatone 7355

Halcyon Sun
Composer: Jonathan Bailey Holland
Conductor: Paavo Jarvi
Orchestra/Ensemble: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
CSOM 945

Akhnaten: Hymn to the Sun
Composer: Philip Glass
Conductor: Jonathan Cohen
Orchestra/Ensemble: The King’s Violins
Soloists: Anthony Roth Costanzo, countertenor
London/Decca 28648

String Quartet No. 10 “Long Pond”: Moonrise
Composer: Elena Ruehr
Orchestra/Ensemble: Quartet ES
Avie 2798

Sandhiprakash
Composer: Reena Esmail
Soloists: Yolanda Kondonassis, harp
Azica 71392

Horizon: True Horizon
Composer: John Luther Adams
Conductor: Richard Tognetti
Orchestra/Ensemble: Australian Chamber Orchestra
Cold Blue 71

Moonlight Sonata: Adagio
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Soloists: Maya Beiser, cello
Islandia 1

Musica Celestis
Composer: Aaron Jay Kernis
Conductor: Eiji Oue
Orchestra/Ensemble: Minnesota Orchestra
Virgin 45464

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