Sharon Isbin and John Corigliano
John Corigliano (b. 1938): ‘Troubadours’; Sharon Isbin, guitar; St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Hugh Wolff, conductor; Virgin 55083
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Oct. 8, 2025
2:00
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Music and politics with Rimsky-Korsakov and John Adams
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908): ‘The Golden Cockerel Suite’; Russian National Orchestra; Mikhail Pletnev, conductor; DG 447 084 John Adams (b. 1947): ‘The Chairman Dances’; San Francisco Symphony; Edo de Waart, conductor; Nonesuch 79453
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Brahms and Rzewski for amateurs
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): ‘Liebeslieder Waltz’ No. 18; Silke-Thora Matthies and Christian Köhn, piano; Naxos 553140 Frederic Rzewski (1938-2021): ‘The Days Fly By’; Ursula Oppens, piano; Companion CD to Boosey and Hawkes ‘The Carnegie Hall Millennium Piano Book’ ASIN: B003AG8IUK
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Timely Argento and Takemitsu
Dominick Argento (1927-2019): ‘A Ring of Time’; Minnesota Orchestra; Eiji Oue, conductor; Reference 91 Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996): ‘From Me Flows What You Call Time’; Pacific Symphony; Carl St. Clair, conductor; Sony 63044
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How to win friends and influence Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Cello Concerto No. 1; Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor; (Sony 7858322)
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Ceremonial Beethoven and Schuman
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): ‘Consecration of the House Overture’; Berlin Philharmonic; Bernhard Klee, conductor; DG 453 713 Willliam Schuman (1910-1992): ‘To Thee Old Cause’; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 63088
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Joan Tower's 'Made in America'
Joan Tower (b. 1938): ‘Made in America’; Nashville Symphony/Leonard Slatkin (Naxos 8559328)
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Flagg-waving in Colonial Boston?
Oliver Shaw (1779-1848): ‘Gov. Arnold’s March’; Members of the Federal Music Society; John Baldon, conductor; New World 80299
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The Twilight Zone
Marius Constant (1925-2004): ‘The Twilight Zone’ Main Theme (second version); Orchestra; Joel McNeely, conductor; Varese-Sarabande VSD2-6087 Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975): ‘The Twilight Zone’ Main Theme (first version); Orchestra; Joel McNeely, conductor; Varese-Sarabande VSD2-6087
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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.