hearts of space | news

PGM 996R 'ILLUMINATION' : nov. 29-dec.6

After the Thanksgiving holiday the chilled months of the winter season begin in earnest, and with them the celebration of light itself, conjoined with the year-end religious celebrations. From the pre-Christian and Pagan festivals of the sun, to Christian, Jewish and Hindu celebrations of light, we chase away the gloom of the season with a special radiance.

The music of midwinter embodies this transition from the dark harmonies of late autumn to the festive atmosphere of the year-end solstice and religious celebrations: lyrical, optimistic, and heartwarming. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, ambient chamber music for the transition to the season of light, on a program called ILLUMINATION. Featured artists are KEVIN KELLER, JENNIFER ZULLI, TIM STORY, and RUSSEL WALDER.

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

After the Thanksgiving holiday the chilled months of the winter season begin in earnest, and with them the celebration of light itself, conjoined with the year-end religious celebrations. From the pre-Christian and Pagan festivals of the sun, to Christian, Jewish and Hindu celebrations of light, we chase away the gloom of the season with a special radiance.

The music of midwinter embodies this transition from the dark harmonies of late autumn to the festive atmosphere of the year-end solstice and religious celebrations: lyrical, optimistic, and heartwarming. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, ambient chamber music for the transition to the season of light, on a program called ILLUMINATION. Featured artists are KEVIN KELLER, JENNIFER ZULLI, TIM STORY, and RUSSEL WALDER.

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

PGM 963R 'GIVING THANKS' : nov. 22-29

We live in a complex and ever-changing world. When things go wrong, it's all too easy to fall back on cynicism, worry, even despair. In difficult times, we tend to forget that despite our problems and injustices, our world is still supporting more people, at a higher standard of living, than at any time in human history.

That's why the Thanksgiving holiday is a welcome respite. From its origins as an after-harvest celebration, it evolved into something more: an opportunity to convene family and friends; share comfort food and conversation; and at the heart of the holiday, the simple act of pausing, looking back, and expressing gratitude for what life has brought us this year.

Like prayer, the attitude of thanks is quiet, reflective, and humble. But while prayer is normally personal, giving thanks is something we like to share — an expression of the spirit of abundance, inclusion and generosity.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, music for acceptance and gratitude, on a program called "GIVING THANKS." Music is by JONATHAN ELIAS, ELENI KARAINDROU, KEVIN KELLER, PULUSHA, HECTOR ZAZOU and DAVID DARLING.

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

PGM 1385 'UNDERSCORE 3' : nov.15-22

The impulse to combine music and film goes back to the very beginning. The Lumiere brothers first silent film screening in Paris in 1895 was accompanied by a pianist. When films were added to vaudeville theaters at the beginning of the 20th century, music was provided by an in-house musician or organist, small ensembles, and even full orchestras.

Pipe organs for theaters—at the time the most wide-ranging and loudest instruments available—were built by the American musical instrument company Wurlitzer. The famous "Mighty Wurlitzer" theatre organ was introduced in 1910, and was installed in theatres, museums, and churches around the world.

Romantic-Classical styles and orchestration dominated the early years of sound films, and an emotional language of film music became widely understood. As film subject matter expanded, jazz and other "modernist" genres were added. Powerful rhythms, memorable melodic themes, and repeated motifs were common, as well as more subtle, quiet music to create mood and atmosphere. What we call ambient music today, was—and still is—a major part of film music, and came to be called the "underscore."

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, ambient and atmospheric music for film, on a program called "UNDERSCORE 3."  Music is by TIM STORY, LISA GERRARD & PIETER BOURKE, LUDOVICO EINAUDI, HANS ZIMMER, MYCHAEL DANNA, ENNIO MORRICONE, TOM HOLKENBORG, and featuring BRIAN KEANE'S score for DANTE: INFERNO TO PARADISE.

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

PGM 868R 'INTO THE STORM' : nov. 8-15

In good times, life moves swiftly, with little time for reflection. Warnings of impending disaster may go unheeded — until it's too late: confusion and chaos rule the day.

In stormy times, the wise remain calm, even when the world around them is in turmoil. Turbulence may destroy structures that lack a firm foundation, but this is necessary to build stronger ones. In nature and in society, excess must be corrected. Destruction...is also a path to renewal.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, an electro-ambient journey for turbulent times called INTO THE STORM. Music is by MARCONI UNION, ADHAM SHAIKH & TIM FLOYD, MICHAEL STEARNS, DAN BARRIO, RUBEN GARCIA, IAN BODDY, PHILIPPE EMANUEL GEUBLE, and KIT WATKINS.

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

PGM 1384 'AUTUMN TRANSIT' : nov.1-8

Descending into the autumn soundscape, we return to the slow, dark, electro-acoustic sounds of the season—strings, horns, acoustic and electronic keyboards.

It's a time for descending progressions, dark drones, somber tone colors and minor key harmonies, as the music echoes the cooler days and waning light following the autumn equinox, culminating in the shocking loss of “Daylight Saving Time.”

On this transmission of HEARTS of SPACE, it’s an ambient-atmospheric-classical journey for early fall, on a program called "AUTUMN TRANSIT." Music is by the indispensible MAX RICHTER, JÓHANN JÓHANSSON, WILLIAM ST.HUGH, BOB HOLROYD, and KEATON HENSON.

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