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AS THANKSGIVING brings family and food together to share common blessings, "Giving Thanks" brings music and words together in a thoughtful reflection on the meaning of the holiday.

LIKE A GOOD THANKSGIVING FEAST, "Giving Thanks" combines traditional fare with unexpected delights. You'll hear hymns of thanks by Beethoven and Dylan Thomas, reflections on the delights of simplicity by Aaron Copland and Thornton Wilder, contemplation of the deeper meaning of bread from Antoine de Saint-Exupery, expressions of joy amid hardship from John Tavener and Abraham Lincoln, and celebrations of the harvest season from Vivaldi and Donald Hall.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF "GIVING THANKS" is a rare recording of actor Charles Laughton. His spellbinding story connects his personal discovery of Chartres Cathedral with an excerpt from Jack Kerouac's The Dharma Bums and the 104th Psalm. It's a moving and powerful tale, giving thanks for the discovery that Art connects us all to a greater creative spirit, offering a beautiful focus for the program and the day.

HOST JOHN BIRGE produced his first Thanksgiving Day special 14 years ago as the morning host at WGUC, Cincinnati. The program grew to become a much-anticipated annual tradition there. He brought the tradition with him when he came to MPR two years ago; this year he's sharing it with listeners throughout the country via Public Radio International. John hosts the afternoon drive-time show on MPR's classical music network, and this year will once again host "Welcome Christmas!" for PRI.