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PGM 826 "TO THEE WE SING" : dec. 27-jan.3

The legacy of choral singing is never more cherished than during the holiday season, when it brings warmth and light to the winter darkness by opening the heart and feeding the soul. From the Christian churches and cathedrals of Europe and the U.S., to the Orthodox churches of Russia, central Asia, and the Holy Land, the human family gathers to listen, sing, and worship together.

After more than ten centuries of evolution, some of the finest choral music was written during the last 100 years by a special breed of contemporary composers, who respect and extend the tradition. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, another compilation of sublime choral pieces from our longtime guest producer ELLEN HOLMES called "TO THEE WE SING." Music is by the cream of liturgical composers from Russia, Estonia, Bulgaria and the U.S., including SERGEI RACHMANINOV, ARCHBISHOP IONAFAN, DOBRI CHRISTOV, MORTEN LAURIDSEN, and others.

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PGM 1387 'STARLIGHT NORTH 2' : dec.20-27

This week we honor our pagan ancestors and celebrate the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. We journey over the snow-covered mountains, frozen forests, and blue-gray fjords that inspire the music of northern Europe and Scandinavia.

In a land of dark and cold, the focus turns within, and the music of this frigid region warms the heart and nourishes the soul. Classical, jazz, and traditional folk sounds stretch from majestic and powerful, to intimate and ethereal—with brilliant timbres, gorgeous melodies, and rich harmonies.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, another winter solstice celebration, on a program called "STARLIGHT NORTH 2." Music is by ORCHESTRA INDIGO, DEAD CAN DANCE, STEPHAN MICUS, TRINE OPSAHL, ANNBJØRG LIEN, BUKKENE BRUSE, CANTUS, ANNE DUDLEY, HEILUNG, HAGATHORN, SKÁLD, SHIGERU UMEBAYASHI, and ÁINE MINOGUE.

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PGM 1031 'GLORIA' : dec.13-20

The eternally innocent sound of the boy soprano: whether you're Christian or not, it's a sound that floats high and pure, far above our worldly cares.

The boy soprano or "treble" voice has been used in Christian religious music for centuries, especially in England. True fact: Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones sang for Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey as a boy soprano!

Since Medieval times, some of the Western world's greatest composers have written music for sacred services. The immersive ambience of great stone churches and cathedrals, the majestic tones of the pipe organ, and the massed voices of the choir and the worship community created the context; from it came a genre of sacred space music, including vocal and instrumental pieces, great liturgical works, and hymns and psalms of sublime beauty. It's a repertoire we come back to every year during the holiday season.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, another offering from our longtime guest producer for classical and sacred space music ELLEN HOLMES, featuring sacred choral and instrumental classics for the holiday season, on a program called "GLORIA."

Music is by the boy choir LIBERA, MOZART, HANDEL, VIVALDI, CHARPENTIER, PADOVANO, STRIGGIO, PALESTRINA, MONTEVERDI, MOUTON, BENCINI, PÄRT, LAURIDSEN, and HOLBORNE.

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PGM 1386 'LIGHT TIME' : dec.6-13

In the brief interlude between Thanksgiving and the winter holiday celebrations, we undergo a rapid change in emotional tone. Gone are the fearful ghosts and goblins of Halloween, the somber melancholy of the autumn season, and the quiet gratitude of Thanksgiving. Approaching the shortest day and longest night of the year on the winter solstice, we celebrate the return of the light.

Today, we chase away the gloom and transform our environment with millions of colorful lights and dazzling screens. From the brilliance of our seasonal displays to the hypnotic warmth of a single candle — we embrace the joy of light and color, and the fulfillment of sound and music. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, electronic ambient for the season of light, on a program called 'LIGHT TIME.'

Music is by DAVID HELPLING and singer MIRIAM STOCKLEY, JOHAN AGEBJÖRN and singer LISA BARRA, ERIK WØLLO, TOM EATON, ROSS CHRISTOPHER, ROBERT RICH & LUCA FORMENTINI, JON HOPKINS & ÓLAFUR ARNALDS, and WILL BANGS. https://bit.ly/HoS-1386

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