Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge

Composers Datebook - Aug. 16, 2024

YourClassical

Kodaly's Symphony

Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967): ‘Symphony and Dances of Marosszék’; BBC Philharmonic; Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor; Chandos 9811

2:00
YourClassical

Grofe in Hollywood

Ferde Grofé (1892-1972): ‘Hollywood Suite’; Bournemouth Symphony; William Stromberg, conductor; Naxos 8.559017

2:00
YourClassical

Bolcom's 'Five Fold Five'

William Bolcom (b. 1938): ‘Five Fold Five’; Detroit Chamber Winds; William Bolcom, piano; Koch 7395

2:00
YourClassical

Mahler's tangled Tenth

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) arr. Cooke: Symphony No. 10; Berlin Philharmonic; Sir Simon Rattle, conductor; EMI 56972

2:00
YourClassical

Beethoven unveiled

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): ‘Congratulations Minuet’; Berlin Philharmonic; Herbert von Karajan, conductor; DG 453 713

2:00
YourClassical

Rachmaninoff's 'Monna Vanna'

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) arr. Igor Buketoff: ‘Monna Vanna’; soloists; Iceland Symphony; Igor Buketoff, conductor; Chandos 8987

2:00
YourClassical

MacMillan at the Proms

James MacMillan (b. 1959): ‘Veni, Veni, Emmanuel’; Evelyn Glennie, percussion; Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor; BMG/Catalyst 61916

2:00
YourClassical

Let's say 'Jean Francaix'

Jean Francaix (1912-1997): Symphony in G Major; Ulster Orchestra; Thierry Fischer, conductor; Hyperion CDA-67323

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Hanson and Thomas at summer camp

Howard Hanson (1896-1981): Symphony No. 7 (‘A Sea Symphony’); Seattle Symphony and Chorale; Gerard Schwarz, conductor; Delos 3130 Augusta Read Thomas (b. 1964): ‘Wind Dances’; Louisville Orchestra; Lawrence Leighton Smith, conductor; Albany/Louisville First Edition 010

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.