Modern Notebook for December 20, 2020

This week’s Modern Notebook is all about the winter season, as Tyler Kline shares pieces by Elena Langer and Shuying Li about snowfall and snowstorms; Kaija Saariaho’s “Ciel d’hiver,” which means Winter Sky; and not one, but two works titled “Solstice:” one by Lou Harrison, and another by Hilary Tann.

Featuring performances by violinist Yolanda Bruno with pianist Isabelle David, pianist Eunmi Ko with marimba soloist Michael Skillern, Four Corners Ensemble, Friction Quartet, and more; and music by Edgard Varese, Gabriela Smith, Luciano Berio, and others.

That’s coming up on the next Modern Notebook, Sunday Night from 8 to 10 on Classical WSMR 89.1 and 103.9.

Hour 1

• Snow by Elena Langer.
• Shuying Li’s Canton Snowstorm.
• Solstice by Lou Harrison.
• Music composed and performed by the duo Big Dog Little Dog about the twilight hours.
• Hilary Tann’s Solstice.

Hour 2

• Un grand sommeil noir by Edgard Varese.
• Kaija Saariaho’s Ciel d’hiver.
• Still Life with Avalanche by Missy Mazzoli.
• Inyo by Gabriela Smith.
• I wonder as I Wander from Luciano Berio’s Folk Songs.

Modern Notebook is hosted by WSMR’s Tyler Kline, and is a program that highlights music composed since the Mid-20th Century, with a special focus on the music of living composers.