PGM 966R 'STARLIGHT NORTH' : dec.22-29

12/23/23 • -1 min

As we pass the winter solstice and begin the end of the year holidays, the sounds of the season take on a celebratory and spiritual air. In the far northern country of Norway, it's always a white Christmas, and the music strikes a balance between the somber isolation of the long Arctic nights, and the cheerful lights and rituals of the holiday season.
Northern European folk and classical music covers a wide range of emotion. In Norway, it's often plaintive and austere, yet full of intense feeling; a fusion of darkness and light — from joyful hymns and lovely wedding marches, to melancholy songs and solitary prayers. The resonant bite of the Hardanger fiddle, the rich cushion of the organ, the soft tones of the harp, and the extraordinary vocals — create a musical experience that's been refined and deepened for hundreds of years.
On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a Nordic holiday journey from our longtime guest producer ELLEN HOLMES of ADAGIO RECORDINGS, on a program called STARLIGHT NORTH.

Music is by an all-star group of great Norwegian musicians, including fiddlers SUSANNE LUNDENG and ANNBJORG LIEN, IVER KLEIVE, the choir SKRUK and others, and singers ANNE-LISE BERNTSEN, VIDIA WESENLUND and SOLVEIG SLETTAHJELL.

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PGM 1361 'WINTERSONGS 3' : dec.15-22

Those of us who live in the temperate zone between the polar and tropical latitudes, are used to distinctive seasons, and the biggest distinction of all is between summer and winter. The differences—in weather, in the natural world, and in the animal kingdom—are dramatic, and they add up to a completely different sonic atmosphere in winter.

For composers of sacred music for the winter religious celebrations, it’s led to a seasonal repertoire with special sounds, like bells and chimes; special instruments, like the pipe organ; and massed singing, in choral groups of all sizes. While for ambient composers, a new world of chilled sound design and thematic expression opens up in winter.

In the 1970s, composer ARVO PÄRT from far north Estonia, abandoned rigid academic avant-garde formulas, and invented a new compositional system called tintinnabuli, inspired by bells, Medieval plainsong, Gregorian chant, Renaissance liturgical music, and contemporary Minimalism.

The combination of slow, unchanging tempos, consonant harmonies, and minimalist simplicity created a sublime sacred atmosphere, which seemed to fill a spiritual void in the audience. Pärt’s music became so popular that he inspired a new genre called mystic or sacred minimalism, which remains a powerful influence on classical and ambient musicians worldwide.

On this transmission of HEARTS of SPACE, sacred choral and instrumental music for the season, on a program called 'WINTERSONGS 3.' Music is by DAVID ARKENSTONE, ARVO PÄRT, LIBERA, VOCES8, OLA GJEILO. and PAUL AVGERINOS.

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PGM 967R 'INTERLUDE' : dec.29-jan.5

Consider, dear listeners, the unresolved interval between Christmas and the New Year. Some of us work, some don't. Some socialize with friends and family, some enjoy a good book. A fortunate minority take vacations in warm places; the rest of us return unwanted gifts, make resolutions for the new year, clean out closets, take in a movie, and keep busy to disguise the lack of normal purpose.

In general, it's an ill-defined and unsettled week in our national calendar until New Year's eve parties and a massive day of football bring some all-American clarity back to the picture. In the week to come, we start the new year and whatever the 'new normal' is.

On this transmission of HEARTS of SPACE we wish you a stellar new year, and bring you a soundtrack for this phantom period on a program called INTERLUDE. Music is by JEFF OSTER, MARK ISHAM, KATHRYN KAYE, TIM STORY, LUDOVICO EINAUDI, BOB HOLROYD, DARSHAN AMBIENT, and introducing cellist JONATHAN HUGH.

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