Poster Derrick Skye
Derrick Skye is an acclaimed Los Angeles-based composer and musician known for his transcultural approach to music, integrating various musical practices from cultures around the world into his work with Western classical communities.
Hannah Arista
Extra Eclectic

An American Mirror

Extra Eclectic - July 6, 2026

We're extending the July Fourth weekend just a little bit more on this week's episode of Extra Eclectic, as Steve Seel presents two hours of works by contemporary American composers. Derrick Skye's American Mirror holds up a reflection on "the coming together of cultures (...) which is essential to the wellbeing of American society," while Jennifer Higdon's American Canvas presents musical impressions of the work of American painters. We also enjoy music by Jessie Montgomery, Shelley Washington, Curtis Stewart and much more. Listen now!

Playlist

Aramaic Fuel Tube
Composer: Paul Schoenfield
Soloists: Min Kwon, piano
Delos 3629

Can You See?
Composer: Allison Loggins-Hull
Conductor: Franz Welser-Most
Orchestra/Ensemble: Cleveland Orchestra
TCO Media 17

The Block
Composer: Carlos Simon
Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda
Orchestra/Ensemble: National Symphony Orchestra

Stay On It
Composer: Julius Eastman
Orchestra/Ensemble: Wild Up
New Amsterdam 164

Middleground
Composer: Shelley Washington
Orchestra/Ensemble: PUBLIQuartet

Inspired By James Weldon Johnson: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Composer: Curtis Stewart
Soloists: Curtis Stewart, violin
Bright Shiny Things 243

Let Freedom Ring
Composer: Shara Nova
Conductor: Dianne Berkur Menaker
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brooklyn Youth Chorus
New Amsterdam 105

Ye, Who Seek the Truth
Composer: Julia Perry
Conductor: James Blachly
Orchestra/Ensemble: Experiential Orchestra

Statue of Liberty
Composer: Laurie Anderson
Soloists: Lara St. John, violin
Ancalagon 145

Starburst
Composer: Jessie Montgomery
Orchestra/Ensemble: String Orchestra

American Mirror, Part 1
Composer: Derrick Skye
Orchestra/Ensemble: Sphinx Virtuosi
DG 4867758

Amazing Grace
Composer: H. Leslie Adams
Soloists: Will Liverman, baritone
Cedille 200

Air for Violin
Composer: Aaron Jay Kernis
Conductor: Eiji Oue
Orchestra/Ensemble: Minnesota Orchestra
Soloists: Truls Mork, cello
Virgin 45464

American Canvas
Composer: Jennifer Higdon
Orchestra/Ensemble: Dolce Suono Trio
Innova 991

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

A playlist for the road

A playlist for the road

As Steve Seel bids farewell to evenings on YourClassical for a new shift in the daylight hours, ‘Extra Eclectic’ completes its decade-long run with a playlist of some of his favorite 21st-century classical music discoveries of over the years. Listen now!

1:58:59
Extra Eclectic to air final episode, but modern classical continues on YourClassical
The Proms, and other things British

The Proms, and other things British

‘Extra Eclectic’ continues our time at the 2026 BBC Proms Festival this week with Welsh composer Gwilym Simcock’s Triple Concerto for Saxophone, Horn and Cello performed by the soloists who premiered it: Jess Gillam, Ben Goldscheider and Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Jazz influences

Jazz influences

A performance of Wynton Marsalis’ Concerto for Orchestra recorded at the 2026 BBC Proms offers a look at modern classical works inspired by jazz on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ which also showcases works by Jon Batiste, Earl Louis Stewart and Jeff Scott. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:59:00
A brass celebration

A brass celebration

Brass instruments are the focus on episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ in solo, duo and ensemble settings. Selections include Valerie Coleman’s ‘Fanfare for Uncommon Times,’ Olivier Messiaen’s ‘Apparition du Christ Glorieux’ and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Earth sounds

Earth sounds

The Earth is our one home, and on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ contemporary composers pay tribute in their music, including Erland Cooper, whose ‘Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence’ incorporates the Earth as a collaborator. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Moments and eternities

Moments and eternities

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ we hear considering both fleeting moments and the vastness of eternity, including Chris Rogerson’s ‘Thirty Thousand Days’ and Steve Reich’s ‘Proverb.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Questions and answers

Questions and answers

Host Steve Seel poses a lot of musical questions on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ and you’ll have to decide if you hear any answers. Charles Ives’ ‘The Unanswered Question’ is “answered” by Laurie Spiegel’s work ‘The Unquestioned Answer.’

1:58:58
Eternity and beyond

Eternity and beyond

While classical music can sometimes be about frivolous things, this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ is concerned strictly with ideas on a higher plane. Host Steve Seel brings us Olivia Belli’s ‘Limina Luminis,’ Arvo Pärt’s ‘Tabula Rasa’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:59
The American Vanguard

The American Vanguard

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, host Steve Seel showcases the music of giants such as Philip Glass, Meredith Monk and Steve Reich: composers who introduced fresh thinking into the genre and opened the concert hall to new audiences. Listen now!

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