Grieg's 'Lyric Pieces'
Edvard Grieg (1843-1907): ‘Lyric Pieces’ Book VI, No. 6; Homeward Emil Gilels, piano; DG 449721
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - June 15, 2026
2:00
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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
Brahms and Liszt
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Ballade No. 3; Lars Vogt, piano; EMI 57125 Franz Liszt (1811-1886): Piano Sonata in B minor; Jeno Jando, piano; Naxos 8.550510
2:00
Carlisle Floyd
Carlisle Floyd (1926-2021): ‘Susannah’; Soloists and Lyon Opera Orchestra; Kent Nagano, conductor; Virgin 45039
2:00
Britten's 'Prodigal Son'
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): ‘The Prodigal Son’; Peter Pears, tenor; John Shirley-Quirk, baritone; Robert Tear, tenor; Bryan Drake, baritone; English Opera Group Orchestra; Benjamin Britten, conductor; Decca 425713
2:00
The London Symphony on stage (and screen)
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’; London Symphony; Benjamin Britten, conductor; London/Decca CD 417 509 John Williams (b. 1932): ‘Star Wars’ Main Title; London Symphony; John Williams, conductor; RSO CD 6641-679 (and other CD reissues)
2:00
Ravel's 'Daphnis and Chloe'
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937): ‘Daphnis et Chloe’; London Symphony; Pierre Monteux, conductor; London 425 956
2:00
Britten's 'Peter Grimes'
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): ‘Sea Interludes’ from ‘Peter Grimes’; London Symphony; André Previn, conductor; EMI 72658
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.