hearts of space | news

PGM 1011R 'ELECTRON TRAVELER' : apr.24-may 1

Even in the early days, the pioneers of electronic music knew they were on to something special. Here was a way of sculpting sound that made it like clay — something you could shape to your own creative vision. Today every artist can have electronic tools of almost unlimited power at their fingertips. We've had several generations of musicians tending the electronic vineyards, and these days the sonic wine is available in many varietals.

For example, "downtempo" is a name invented in the 1990s to describe slowed-down, less intense electronic dance music. It's still beat-y but the atmosphere is chilled; rather than pumping you up, it floats you along with a relaxed vibe that leads to pure Ambient realms.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a journey from Downtempo rhythms to Ambient space, on a program called 'ELECTRON TRAVELER'. Music is by AES DANA, MARCONI UNION, HIBERNATION, HEALER, and RADIANT MIND.

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PGM 1245 "ELEGIES FOR THE FALLEN' : apr. 17-25

One of cruel ironies of 2020 is that spring here in Northern California is the loveliest we've seen in years. As we absorb the terrible news about a global pandemic against this lush, verdant background, the "cognitive dissonance" is deafening.

The plants and animals don't know about the virus and are having a wonderful time, while the humans have to fight a ruthless bio-terrorist that can turn our fellow citizens into involuntary assassins, and paralyze our whole society. So in this season of hope and rebirth, we celebrate our steadfast first responders, heroic doctors and dedicated nurses, while we mourn our sick, our suffering and our dead.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a program called ELEGIES FOR THE FALLEN.

Music by MICHAEL WHALEN, DAVID HELPLING & JON JENKINS, JON HOPKINS, CHARLES B. KIM, A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN, and KEVIN BRAHENY FORTUNE.

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1244 'ESCAPE FROM PANDEMICA' : apr. 10-17

It's a scenario straight out of dystopian fiction: attacked by a killer microbe, disrupted by a changing climate, challenged by economic dysfunction and social inequity, locked down, isolated and afraid — inhabitants of a beleaguered planet leave earth and seek solace in virtual cosmic travel. Who can blame them?

On this transmission of Hearts of Space,we leave earthbound troubles behind for a moment and take a cosmic electronic journey, on a program called 'ESCAPE FROM PANDEMICA.' Music is by CSILLAGKÖD, RAMP w/MARK SHREEVE, STEVE ROACH, HAROLD BUDD, MULM, REMOTE VISION, JARGUNA, and PAUL SAUVANET.

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PGM 785R 'LAMENTO' : apr. 3-10

Descending into the dark season, we find music that portrays human emotions at their most vulnerable: music of pathos, loss and remembrance. These are some of our most powerful and affecting feelings, and they call for music that reaches into the depths of our souls.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a special program of choral, vocal and instrumental music for the dark season from guest producer ELLEN HOLMES called LAMENTO.

A lament is a cathartic song or poem expressing grief or mourning. Many of the oldest and most enduring poems in human history have been laments; they're found in the Iliad and the Odyssey, the Hindu Vedas, and in ancient Near Eastern religious texts, including the Old Testament. 

Music is by GEORGE ROCHBERG, ARVO PÄRT, GARRETT FISHER, SAVINA YANNATOU, SILVIA NAKKACH, ZBIGNIEW PREISNER, NIKOLAI KARETNIKOV, VICTOR KALINNIKOV, ALEXANDER KASTALSKY, URMAS SISASK, and SANCTUARY.

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