Thanksgiving Programs

We're grateful for all of Discover Classical's listeners and supporters! We hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

6am

Thanksgiving with The American Sound: Seed and Soil

Thanksgiving has always been closely tied to the land, as a celebration of gratitude for abundant harvest. This Thanksgiving, join host Jennifer Hambrick for an hour of glorious American music that celebrates America's beautiful and bountiful land. "The Pasture" from Randall Thompson's lovely choral work Frostiana takes you back to the soil, and movements from Mark O'Connor's Americana Symphony bring you breathtaking views of America's wide-open spaces. Then flow along the traditional Deep River and Shenandoah to a grateful end with Jennifer Higdon's uplifting Amazing Grace for string quartet.

7Am

By and By: Journeying and Gathering

Since America's first Thanksgiving, journeying has been one of Thanksgiving's key ingredients. Whether criss-crossing the country on a series of airplanes, or driving to a Thanksgiving destination, there's always a sense of leaving where you are in joyful anticipation of gathering wherever those you love most may be.  Enjoy an hour of beautiful music for peaceful Thanksgiving journeying and gathering -- Stephen Paulus' gorgeous arrangement of We Gather Together, Robert Ashford's lovely chamber work Rise and Fall and Peaceful Rest, Anonymous 4 with Shall We Gather at the River, Ning Kam's sizzling Variations on Amazing Grace and Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw's moving By and By.

8am

Great American Symphonies with Larry Coressel

An exploration of three twentieth-century third symphonies (and more) with Larry Coressel.

John Williams:  Air and Simple Gifts
Charles Ives:  Symphony No. 3 "The Camp Meeting"
Earl George:  Thanksgiving Overture
Roy Harris:  Symphony No.3
Roy Harris:  American Ballads
Aaron Copland:  Simple Gifts
Aaron Copland:  Symphony No. 3
Aaron Copland:  Sextet

10am

Pilgrim's Rest

Thanksgiving is a time to rest from the labors of life's journey.  Enjoy a restful, refreshing hour of American music, including Stephen Paulus' sublime Pilgrims' Hymn, Thomas Canning's Fantasy on a Hymn Tune and George Walker's Lyric for Strings, along with early American composer William Billings' Anthem for Thanksgiving, Barbara Harbach's Emanations from the Sacred Harp and more.

11am

Let Us Break Bread Together

A companion is, literally, someone with whom one breaks bread.  On this holiday of family and feasting, this program pays tribute in American music and meaningful stories to the time-honored tradition of breaking bread with others. "Autumn" from Dan Locklair’s Symphony of Seasons and Eric Whitacre’s Lux aurumque bring you the golden hues of autumn through harvest and threshing, all the way to the Spiritual "Let Us Break Bread Together."  Also enjoy stories from people from cultures around the world about how family bread recipes make their holiday gatherings special.

12pm

Every Good Thing

Host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from around the country take time to give thanks and celebrate one of life's most meaningful gifts: music. Audiences will hear listeners from across the U.S. share stories about their favorite classical music pieces.

1pm

Thanksgiving with The American Sound:  Away from Home

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time when family and friends get together, often traveling great distances to meet up.  But even when traveling at the holidays is not an option, Thanksgiving goes on as a time of intentional gratitude for what we still have and still can do.  In a year when many of us have hunkered down at home more than usual, enjoy an hour of American music inspired by traveling and wayfaring around the United States.

2pm

Giving Thanks

Host John Birge presents a contemporary celebration of gratitude, with classical music and stories of Thanksgiving.  The program also celebrates the Feast Day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music.  Special guests include conductor Nic McGegan, and John Rutter, with a world premiere of his latest choral work.  The program also offers a remembrance of U.S. Poet Laureate Donald Hall.

4pm

Thanksgiving with The American Sound: Seed and Soil

Thanksgiving has always been closely tied to the land, as a celebration of gratitude for abundant harvest. This Thanksgiving, join host Jennifer Hambrick for an hour of glorious American music that celebrates America's beautiful and bountiful land. "The Pasture" from Randall Thompson's lovely choral work Frostiana takes you back to the soil, and movements from Mark O'Connor's Americana Symphony bring you breathtaking views of America's wide-open spaces. Then flow along the traditional Deep River and Shenandoah to a grateful end with Jennifer Higdon's uplifting Amazing Grace for string quartet.

5pm

By and By: Journeying and Gathering

Since America's first Thanksgiving, journeying has been one of Thanksgiving's key ingredients. Whether criss-crossing the country on a series of airplanes, or driving to a Thanksgiving destination, there's always a sense of leaving where you are in joyful anticipation of gathering wherever those you love most may be.  Enjoy an hour of beautiful music for peaceful Thanksgiving journeying and gathering ----- Stephen Paulus' gorgeous arrangement of We Gather Together, Robert Ashford's lovely chamber work Rise and Fall and Peaceful Rest, Anonymous 4 with Shall We Gather at the River, Ning Kam's sizzling Variations on Amazing Grace and Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw's moving By and By.

10pm

A Little Night Music

Samee Griffith plays music of thankfulness and the autumn season to bring your Thanksgiving to a close. You'll hear November by Fanny Mendelssohn, "Now thank we all our God" by Bach, Vivaldi's Autumn violin concerto, Thanksgiving Day by Dan Locklair, and the Pilgrims' Chorus from Wagner's Tannhauser.