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PGM 652R 'ICELANDIA' : january 28 - february 3

The far north countries of the Arctic region have a musical tradition and an austere sound all their own. Whether it's vivid, ethereal folk songs or moody, cutting edge electronica, they evoke a world of subtle grey light, abstract landscapes, and an intensity born of survival in extreme conditions.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, we explore the sound of the tundra on a program called ICELANDIA. Music is by ANNBJORG LIEN, SORTEN MULD, WIMME, JAN GARBAREK, BJORK, HECTOR ZAZOU, JOHN LUTHER ADAMS, CLIFF MARTINEZ, and SIGUR ROS.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

PGM 862R 'ABSOLUTE ZERO' : january 21-27

In the brief days after the winter solstice, we pass the apogee of the yearly cycle of earth and sun, and plunge into the season of cold and dark.

For our friends in Alaska and the Arctic north, the days become mere formalities. The distant sun struggles to reach the horizon, appears briefly, then retreats into darkness. Water hangs suspended in the blue-gray atmosphere, and we enter a world of deep, silent spaces, muted by fog and snow.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a journey to the quiet heart of winter called ABSOLUTE ZERO. Music is by JOHAN AGEBJORN, CRAIG PADILLA, JEFFREY KOEPPER, BROEKHUIS, KELLER AND SCHONWALDER, STEPHEN PHILIPS, OOPHOI, STEVE ROACH, and PATRICK O'HEARN.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

PGM 935 'KEYS of GLASS 3' : january 14-20

Even if you don't have snow and ice in your part of the country (we don't, but I'm guessing that most of you do this year) the sound of the grand piano ringing across the chilled atmospheres of the heart of winter is one of the natural sounds of the season.

Today, 25 years after the glory days of the solo piano genre sparked by artists like KEITH JARRETT and GEORGE WINSTON, mastering the solo piano or the piano plus simple duets and trios, remains an elusive goal: very easy to do, very hard to do well.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space we combine the bell-like clarity of the piano with the simple lyricism of fine music, on a program featuring Swiss pianist RALPH ZURMUHLE called KEYS OF GLASS 3.  Additional music is by HELEN JANE LONG, HEIDI ANNE BREYER, BRUNO SANFILIPPO, and GARY MALKIN.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

PGM 934 'RESONANT BRONZE' : january 7-13

Like a cooling harmonic vapor descending from the Himalayan plateau and the Buddhist cultures of Tibet and Nepal, traditional instruments of the metallophone family — singing bowls, bells, gongs and cymbals — are celebrated for their rare alloys, tonal purity, and uncanny psychological power.

Introduced to the west in 1971 in a classic recording by the pioneering Tibetan Bells ensemble led by HENRY WOLFF and NANCY HENNINGS, they used traditional instruments to create a new music, both artistic and contemplative — a healing antidote to the often chaotic sounds of our urban environment and contemporary soundscape.

Over the last 40 years, these unique instruments have become a calling for a small group of dedicated contemplative musicians. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, we immerse ourselves once again in their timeless tones, on a program called RESONANT BRONZE. Music is by KARMA MOFFETT, BENJAMIN IOBST, HIMALAYAN BELLS, and 33 BOWLS.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]