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PGM 1108R 'VERNAL TRANSIT' : apr.25-may 2

THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING is, as they say about the future, "unequally distributed." While our friends in the northern states and upper elevations are enjoying a last round of snow, the seasonal transition has been underway here in California for over two months.

Whatever your weather, after the grey skies and dark drones of winter, we're due for some spring spacemusic: light, airy, energetic, ready to venture out and enjoy the world around us. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, an hour of sparkling Ambient electronics for spring, on a program called 'VERNAL TRANSIT.'

Music is by ASCENDENT, CONNECT.OHM, STATE AZUR, RAY SAMMARTANO, CHRONOTOPE PROJECT, and ISHQ.

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PGN 1395 'OF SOUND AND SPIRIT' : apr.18-25

THE MUSIC OF EASTER—with its traditional themes of death and rebirth—touches the extremes of the emotional spectrum, from deepest anguish to radiant joy.

Over the past 40 years, Hearts of Space has often celebrated this special holiday with the help of our longtime guest producer for classical and sacred music, ELLEN HOLMES. This year, once again, Ellen brings us a collection of sublime choral and instrumental music for Easter, on a program she calls “OF SOUND AND SPIRIT.” 

“Traditionally,” she says, “on Easter Sunday and during the week before Easter—concerts of majestic music are performed all over the world…celebrating the miracle…of life’s eternal renewal. This special Easter program follows that tradition, featuring exceptionally beautiful pieces and performances from ancient to contemporary.”

With music by FRANZ SCHUBERT, HENRIK ØDEGAARD, JORDI SAVALL, J.S. BACH, SIGVALDI KALDALÓNS, GUSTAVE MAHLER, MAX RICHTER, CHARLES GOUNOD, and others. 

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PGM 1374R 'ENCHANTED LANDS' : apr.11-18

Armed with a studio full of synthesizers and powerful production software, many electronic musicians will create sonic images of vast, cold, cosmic space. Others will conjure up infectious sequencer rhythms, and attract a high energy crowd with electronic dance music. Still others, following the great European symphonic tradition, will electrify the orchestra, or create ambient electronic soundscapes.

A smaller group find inspiration in the environment, incorporating the sounds of nature in their music. But perhaps the most unusual are inspired by the supernatural—the worlds of myth and legend, literature and folklore. They create music for spirits, fairies, sprites and elves, wood and water nymphs, elementals, and other invisible denizens of the magic forest.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, it's a magical journey in supernatural spaces, on a program called "ENCHANTED LANDS." Music is by LEMONGRASS, ISHQ, DESENSITIZED, KEVIN BRAHENY FORTUNE, THE AMNIS INITIATIVE, RICHARD ROSS, and ALPHA WAVE MOVEMENT. 

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PGM 1075R 'DOOR OF SILENCE' : apr.4-11

It takes increasing effort, but if we can just turn away from the political chaos that has overtaken the Middle East for the moment, we can still hear the expression of artistic traditions that have been evolving for over 5000 years.

From source cultures in Persia, Arabia and North Africa come instruments and musical traditions. Today, both native and expatriate artists are working to extend these traditions and adapt them to the world of contemporary music. It's an effort that aims for harmony and understanding in the face of dissonance and division: cultural in the best sense — a human treasure to be loved and shared.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a journey to the quiet heart of Middle Eastern music, on a program called DOOR OF SILENCE. Music is by MERCAN DEDE, OMAR FARUK TEKBILEK, AZAM ALI & LOGA RAMIN TORKIAN, ANOUAR BRAHEM, and DHAFER YOUSSEF.

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