Encore Programs

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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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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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.

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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.

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The gentle tones of the Native American cedar flute have propagated far beyond their origin — a rare case of a humble ethnic instrument succeeding on natural charm and sonic appeal.

Resurrected from decades of cultural neglect by native musicians in the mid 20th century, it proved to be a versatile and satisfying instrument for both amateur and professional musicians. We like to revisit it in the fall, when its pentatonic minor scale seems to magically express the deepening energy and complex colors of the season.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a Southwest autumn journey featuring the Native American flute, called MYSTIC CANYONS. Music is by COYOTE OLDMAN, JONN SERRIE & GARY STROUTSOS, SCOTT AUGUST, JOHNNY WHITEHORSE, JAMES MARIENTHAL, SHERRY FINZER, JOHN HULING, and KENNETH HOOPER.

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CONFESSION…it’s simple in theory: to tell the truth. In practice? It’s more complicated.

Confession plays a critical role in the justice system, in religion, in therapeutic and personal relationships. And at a time when the very idea of objective facts and truth is being challenged, confession is more important than ever.

A true confession is a revelation — a release of hidden knowledge. And it’s often accompanied by powerful, even cathartic, emotions. No wonder confessional songs and music are found in some of the oldest cultures on earth.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space…the quiet sound of emotional truth, on a program called CONFESSIONS. Music is by ADAM HURST, ELINA DUNI, MIRABAI CEIBA, SAVINA YANNATOU, BADI ASSAD, JOSÉ LUIS MONTÓN, ESTÁS TONNÉ, ANDRÉ GERAISSATI, and AMBERFERN.

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It’s only three short months from the summer solstice to the autumn equinox, and we make the most of them: travel, vacation, backyard parties, fun at the beach or the lake, and sports and water activities of every description. All that plus balmy nights, and the hypnotic rhythm of the crickets to lull us to sleep. Summer can be a magical respite in our complicated lives, but when mid-September comes, we know it’s drawing to a close.

Instrumental music can express our complex feelings about the end of summer—good memories, a sense of nostalgia, a tinge of melancholy, and quiet acceptance. Acoustic instruments like piano, guitar and cello are perfect for the job, especially when enhanced by electronics. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, music for the summer/fall transition, on a program called SUMMER’S END. Music is by HELEN JANE LONG, JEFF PEARCE, KATHRYN KAYE, ANGELO RABAN, and the late DAVID DARLING.

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It’s been over 50 years since electronic music emerged from academic laboratories and embarked on the road to mainstream popularity. One of the most influential early artists was Greek musician EVANGELOS PAPATHANASSIOU—mercifully shortened to VANGELIS—who began as the keyboard player of the biggest rock band ever in Greece (APHRODITE’S CHILD), then quit and moved to London, where he began scoring films and documentaries.

While the Germans focused on technology, Vangelis adapted the Romantic Classical genre to electronic keyboards, created lush, melodic, emotionally expressive music, and became an A-list film composer. It’s a style that still reverberates today.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, inspired by a classic Vangelis album celebrating the world’s oceans, a deep blue journey called OCEANIC REALMS 2. Music is by VANGELIS, THE AMNIS INITIATIVE, APOCLIPTIC & ROMERIUM, LOSCIL, JEAN-MICHEL JARRE, RUDY ADRIAN, and LIQUID MIND.

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SUMMER…inspires an even more ethereal brand of Ambient electronica. Whether flying or floating on the balmy breezes, the sounds are airy and the movement is light and buoyant. The words we use to describe the moods it creates are superlative: joyous, blissful, ecstatic, delightful — even heavenly. And when it comes to heaven, for some reason we prefer the seventh.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, an ambient-electronic-summer-journey called CLOUD NINE. Yes, we also number the clouds.

Music is by CHRONOTOPE PROJECT, FANGER & SCHONWALDER, JOHN LYELL, ARIEL KALMA, and DAVE LUXTON.

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