Of Wagner, Tubas and Gyorgy Kurtag
György Kurtág (1926-2019): ‘Stele’; SWR Symphony; Michael Gielen, conductor; Hänssler 93001
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Aug. 13, 2026
2:00
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Edison, for the record
Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) arr. Kreisler: ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me’; Fritz Kreisler, violin Pearl 9324 George Frederic Handel (1685-1757): excerpt from ‘Judas Maccabeus’; Edward Lloyd, tenor; Koch Historic 7703 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): ‘plays on an Edison cylinder’ (recorded 1889); Johannes Brahms, piano; Pearl 99049 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Hungarian Dance No. 1; Idil Biret, piano; Naxos 8.550355
2:00
Johann Strauss in Salzburg (and Vienna)
Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825-1899): ‘Annen Polka’ and ‘Perpetuum Mobile’; Vienna Philharmonic; Clemens Krauss, conductor; Preiser 90139 (recorded 1929)
2:00
William Henry Fry
William Henry Fry (1813-1864): ‘Macbeth’ Overture; Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Tony Rowe, conductor; Naxos 8.559057
2:00
'Morning Revisited' by Raksin
David Raksin (1912-2004): ‘Morning Revisited’; The Horn Club of Los Angeles; David Raksin, conductor; EMI 63764
2:00
Poulenc's 'Model Animals'
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963): ‘Les Animaux Modeles’; French National Orchestra; Charles Dutoit, conductor; London 452 937
2:00
Catalani's La Wally
Alfredo Catalani (1854 – 1893): Ebben? Ne andrò lontana, from La Wally (Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez , sop.; London Symphony Orchestra; Vladimir Cosma, cond.) SL 9503
2:00
Rebecca Clarke
Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979): ‘Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale’; Robert Plane, clarinet; Philip Dukes, viola; Naxos 8.557934
2:00
Musgrave's Postcard
Thea Musgrave (b. 1928): ‘Loch Ness – A Postcard from Scotland’; BBC National Orchestra of Wales; William Boughton, conductor; Lyrita 372
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.