hearts of space | news

PGM 1132 'POLAR FLIGHT 2' : dec.30 - jan.6

We're flying over the north polar icecap — in winter, a dazzling wonderland of white and deep blue. It's a vast glacial world of snow and ice, fractal patterns shot through with veins of melting water. Ambient electronic music, with its chilled harmonies, slowly changing rhythm patterns and endless reverberant sound images, creates the perfect soundtrack for this spectacular landscape.

In the polar night above the Arctic Circle, the winter sun never rises above the horizon; only the hypnotic ion curtains of the auroras relieve the darkness, while the sounds of moving water and breaking ice punctuate the solitude. It's a contemplative environment of sublime majesty and depth.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a journey to the Arctic north, on a program called POLAR FLIGHT 2. Music is by ASCENDANT, YAGYA, BANCO DE GAIA, SIMON LOMAX, WINGS OF AN ANGEL, and EASYCHORD.

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

PGM 933R 'SACRED SONGS of MARY' : dec. 23-30

In the Western Classical tradition, some of the most tender, heartfelt and exalted sacred music has been created in honor of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Veneration of Mary has been a subject of devotion in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions since the 2nd century, while Marian hymns and songs have been part of the Western folk and choral music traditions since medieval times.

This abundance of love has produced a wealth of sacred and devotional music that nourishes us during the winter holidays. Adored the world over, the spirit of Mary floats over Western history like a beneficent cloud, carrying a message of eternal feminine wisdom, patience and compassion.

In 2010, our longtime guest producer for classical and sacred spacemusic ELLEN HOLMES collected her favorites for an album that's the basis for this program called SACRED SONGS OF MARY. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, Marian music from the 12th to the 21st centuries by JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL, CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI, ANTHONY HOLBORNE, JOHN TAVENER, ERIC WHITACRE, MORTEN LAURIDSEN, and more.

SACRED SONGS OF MARY: a holiday celebration...on this transmission of Hearts of Space.

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

PGM 1131 'COMFORT and JOY 3' : dec.16-23

Winter settles in, and we seek warmth and the immediate satisfaction of familiar things: food, fire, friends, and the traditional sounds of acoustic instruments. The resonant overtones of fine wood and crystalline steel on instruments like the guitar, the Celtic harp, and the hybrid "harp-guitar" take on a special glow.

In our fast-moving world of electronic technologies, it's easy to forget that for thousands of years acoustic instruments were the alpha and omega of musical experience — limited in sonic range and variety, but not in subtlety, depth, or expression.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, sparkling acoustic sounds to warm the winter soundscape, on a program called COMFORT AND JOY 3.

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

PGM 1130 'TOWARD THE LIGHT' : dec.9-16

In the waning days of November and early days of December, we leave behind the trials and tribulations of the year past and focus on the annual rituals of the holiday season. In the shortest days and longest nights of the year, light itself becomes the theme, and an integral part of the year-end religious celebrations.

Whether it's traditional, commercial or spiritual, the music of the season takes on a festive, energetic air, culminating in the dazzling celebrations of the new year. It's a time for generosity, optimism, and hope.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space we celebrate the spirit of the season, on a journey called TOWARD THE LIGHT.

Music is by MATTHEW STEWART, SUBDREAM, FORT FAIRFIELD, DAVID HELPLING, TRENTEMØLLER, JUTA TAKAHASHI, STEVE ROACH & ROBERT LOGAN, BRIAN ENO, and MAX RICHTER.

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

PGM 749R 'TRANSLUCENT MUSIC' : dec. 2-9

After the often painful and turbulent days of November, we seek relief from dark and gloomy emotions. We look forward toward increasing light and hope: from opalescent, to translucent, to luminous — harbingers of the season of light and celebration to come.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, we echo that journey through the fragile, pellucid landscape of the psyche, on a program called TRANSLUCENT MUSIC. Selections by LISA GERRARD & JEFF RONA, ELENI KARAINDROU, ARVO PÄRT, VALENTIN SILVESTROV, and KARL JENKINS.

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