Modern Notebook for December 20, 2020

Photo: Composer Elena Langer (Photo courtesy of the artist)

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.

Recent Shows

By Tyler Kline October 23, 2025
Photo: composer Daniel Thomas Davis (photo credit: Melissa Rivard).
By Tyler Kline October 16, 2025
Photo: violist Hiyoli Togawa and percussionist Alexej Gerassimez (photo credit: Anne Hornemann)
By Tyler Kline October 9, 2025
Photo: composer Hugi Guðmundsson (photo: self portrait by the composer).
By Tyler Kline October 3, 2025
Photo: composer Steven Mackey (photo credit: Kah Poon).
By Tyler Kline September 25, 2025
Photo: composer Kevin Puts (photo credit: David White)
By Tyler Kline September 18, 2025
Photo: composer Reena Esmail (courtesy of the artist's website).
More Posts