Lalo Schifrin
Lalo Schifrin (1932-2025): ‘Hommage a Ravel’; Eaken Piano; Trio Naxos 8.559062 Lalo Schifrin (1932-2025): Theme from ‘Mission Impossible’; studio orchestra; BBC Records 763
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - June 21, 2026
2:00
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Mendelssohn and Richard Rodgers the record
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Violin Concerto; Nathan Milstein, violin; New York Philharmonic; Bruno Walter, conductor; Sony 64459 Rodgers and Hammerstein: ‘South Pacific’; Ezio Pinza and Mary Martin; orchestra; Lehman Engel, conductor; Sony 53327
2:00
Freddy Hollaender and 'The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T'
Friedrich Hollaender (1896-1976): ‘5000 Fingers of Dr. T’ film score; studio orchestra
2:00
Shchedrin's Oboe Concerto
Rodion Shchedrin (1932-2025): Oboe Concerto; Alexei Ogrinchuk, oboe; Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; Suzanna Malkki, conductor; RCO Live CD 11001
2:00
Berio, Brahms and Boccherini
Johannes Brahms (arr. Luciano Berio) (1833-1897): Clarinet Sonata No. 1 Luigi Boccherini (arr. Luciano Berio): ‘Ritirata Notturna di Madrid’; Daniel Ottensamer, clarinet; Basel Symphony; Ivor Bolton, conductor; Sony 19075982072
2:00
The diverting Mr. Persichetti
Vincent Persichetti (1915-1987): ‘Divertimento’; North Texas Wind Symphony; Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor; Klavier 11124
2:00
Grieg's 'Lyric Pieces'
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907): ‘Lyric Pieces’ Book VI, No. 6; Homeward Emil Gilels, piano; DG 449721
2:00
Harbison goes Baroque
John Harbison (b. 1938): Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet and Strings; Peggy Pearson, oboe; Jo-Ann Sternberg, clarinet; Metamorphosen Chamber Players; Scott Yoo, conductor; Archetype Records 60106
2:00
Ran's Violin Concerto
Shulamit Ran (b. 1949): Violin Concerto; Ittai Shapira, violin; BBC Concert Orchestra; Charles Hazlewood, conductor; Albany TROY-970
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.