PGM 1359 'HEALING WINDS' : nov. 10-17

11/11/23 • -1 min

THE FLUTE is perhaps the oldest musical instrument—a primitive but effective technology for turning breath into resonant sound, and eventually turning structured sound into music.
Flutes arrived about 50,000 years ago in diverse cultures around the prehistoric world. In Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, ancient artisans made early flutes from reeds and grasses, and the hollow bones of animals and birds. The Anasazi tribes of the American Southwest made simple end-blown flutes from the soft, aromatic wood of western cedar trees. They were said to be used for courtship and healing. Typically tuned to a pentatonic minor scale, their plaintive sound seems to resonate with the wistful emotions of the fall season and the endless spaces of the Southwestern desert.
The Native American flute was revived in the 1960s by the pioneering native label Canyon Records, who released hundreds of albums by native artists, including flute recordings by R.Carlos Nakai and others. The instrument became popular in the burgeoning New Age genre in the 1970s and 80s, and new age artists expanded into electronics, guitars, and other popular instruments. Today, the native flute scene is less active, but a core group of committed artists continue to extend the artistic dimensions of the genre, while the cedar flute is increasingly popular for therapeutic applications.
On this transmission of Hearts of Space, an autumn journey in the gentle world of the Native American flute, on a program called HEALING WINDS. Music is by COYOTE OLDMAN, JOHNNY WHITEHORSE, JONN SERRIE & GARY STROUTSOS, KENNETH HOOPER, KIRK MONTEUX, JENN STEEGE, and ANN LICATER.

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PGM 960R 'DECOMPRESSION' : nov.3-10

After the brilliant light and intensive energy of summer, the natural world cools and contracts. In the dimming days of autumn, we begin our descent into the dark months, and the music of the season becomes more somber. As the leaves wither and fall, we pass through a period marked by the letter "d": deflation...decomposition...decay. In music, it's the sound of desaturated timbres, darkening harmonies and descending progressions.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, we reflect the sound of the season on a program called DECOMPRESSION. Music is by PATRICK O'HEARN, MICHAEL DE SALEM, DAVID HELPLING & JON JENKINS, DAVID ARKENSTONE, GILES REAVES, and MOBY.

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PGM 1125R 'STARSCAPES' : nov.17-24

In the 1950s and 60s, the new sounds of electronic music emerged from academic laboratories in Europe and the United States. The motivations were self-consciously experimental, artistic, and technical.
In Cologne, Germany, one great innovator was the powerful theorist and teacher KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN. One of his surprising early discoveries was that unlike acoustic instruments, abstract electronic sounds seemed to create the impression of cosmic space. "In my imagination," Stockhausen said, "I can fly anywhere—to the stars—use the music as a flying device, to unify with the cosmic forces. I think it's important that...we are instruments ourselves, and that cosmic vibrations create sounds through us." It was the beginning of what we now call Electronic Spacemusic.
Today, inexpensive instruments and recording software allow anyone to create electronic music, and the sounds of space are all around us — in music and film, games and video. On this transmission of Hearts of Space, another cosmic-electronic journey, on a program called STARSCAPES.

Music is by VANGELIS, MICHAEL STEARNS, DAVE LUXTON, JIM OTTOWAY, JONN SERRIE, and JAJA (JANA ROCKSTROH).

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