Exploring folk music inspirations

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and on episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel features works that touch on mental health concepts, but are also, purely coincidentally, by composers of Persian ancestry. Later, hear modern works with religious connotations. Listen now!

The Oxford Dictionary defines “gallimaufry” as “a confused jumble or medley of things.” It’s that kind of grab-bag of selections we enjoy on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with works from Ying-Hsueh Chen, Juri Reinvere and Rob Deemer. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

The first day of May is considered the first day of summer in Celtic tradition. Whether you’re giving thanks for spring or summer, there’s little doubt that things are greening outside — and we celebrate that on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with host Steve Seel. Listen now!

Don some good hiking boots — we’re ascending mountains and encountering some of their native fauna on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Host Steve Seel shares Jane Antonia Cornish’s ‘Sierra,’ Jennifer Higdon’s ‘Coyote Nights,’ Kayan Kalhor’s ‘Mountains are Far Away’ and more. Listen now!

The Pacific Ocean figures prominently on this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with David Crowell’s ‘Pacific Coast Highway’ Daniel Temkin’s ‘Ocean's Call’ and more. We also look forward to Earth Day with a playlist including Dustin O’Halloran’s ‘Spiritus Naturae Aeternus.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel.

As we continue to bask in the afterglow of this week’s eclipse, we’ll enjoy music about light and shadow. Outi Tarkianinen’s ‘Midnight Sun Variations,’ Vanessa Lann’s ‘Shining Still’ and Elena Ruehr’s ‘Shadow Light’ are featured. Ward Jacobsen guest hosts.

The coming eclipse has us thinking about planetary bodies, the cosmos and the concept of “night” on this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Host Steve Seel brings us works including Joby Talbot’s ‘Ink Dark Moon’ and Kaija Saariaho’s ‘Nuits, Adieux.’

As we wrap up Women's History Month, it feels impossible to fit in everything we want to feature by today’s women composers. Steve Seel brings us pieces by Caroline Shaw, Raminta Serksnyte, Mahdis Golzar Kashani and Gity Razaz.

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to women who are creating our musical present and future! On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel brings another program of female composers, including Gabriela Montero, Andrea Tarrodi and Allison Loggins-Hull.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with a special edition of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ curated by YourClassical fellow and cellist Audrey Q. Snyder. She has programmed selections that push the genre, with pieces by Franghiz Ali-Zadeh, Chen Yi and more.