Bach arrives (literally)
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Cantata No. 73; Leonhardt Consort; Gustav Leonhardt, conductor; Teldec 44279
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - May 30, 2026
2:00
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Stravinsky's 'Riot' of Spring?
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘The Rite of Spring’; Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; Georg Solti, conductor; London 436 469
2:00
The Hindemith case
Paul Hindemith (1895-1963): ‘Mathis der Maler’; Bavarian Radio Chorus and Orchestra; Rafael Kubelik, conductor; EMI 55237
2:00
David Wilde's 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'
David Wilde (1935-2025): ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’; Yo Yo Ma, cello; Sony 64114
2:00
John Rutter at Carnegie Hall
John Rutter (b. 1945): ‘Magnificat’; Elizabeth Cragg, soprano; Choirs of St. Albans Cathedral; Ensemble DeChorum; Andrew Lucas, conductor; Naxos 8.572653
2:00
A belated Webern premiere
Anton von Webern (1883-1945): ‘Im Sommerwind’; Cleveland Orchestra; Christoph von Dohnanyi, conductor; London 436 240
2:00
Beethoven's 'Bridgetower Sonata?
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Violin Sonata No. 9 (‘Kreutzer’); Pamela Frank, violin; Claude Frank, piano; MusicMasters 67087
2:00
Brahms the perfectionist
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): String Quartet No. 3
2:00
A new patron for Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss (1864-1949): ‘Im Abendrot (At Twlight),’ from ‘Four Last Songs’; Jessye Norman, soprano; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra; Kurt Masur, conductor; Philips CD 464 742
2:00
About Composers Datebook®
Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.
He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.