Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

Composers Datebook - June 21, 2024

YourClassical

Sean Hickey's Cello Concerto

Sean Hickey (b. 1970): Cello Concerto; Dmitry Kouzov, cello; St. Petersburg State Symphony; Vladimir Lande, conductor; Delos 3448

2:00
YourClassical

The 'Cockaigne' Overture

Edward Elgar (1857-1934): ‘Cockaigne Overture’; BBC Symphony; Edward Elgar, conductor; 1933 ‘accidental stereo’; Naxos 8.111022

2:00
YourClassical

An Antheil premiere (or two)

George Antheil (1900-1959): ‘Ballet Mecanique’; Ensemble Modern; H.K. Gruber, conductor; RCA 68066

2:00
YourClassical

Paul Fetler's 'Capriccio'

Paul Fetler (1920-2018): ‘Capriccio’; Ann Arbor Symphony; Arie Lipsky, conductor; Naxos 8.559606

2:00
YourClassical

Bach is back

J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Harpsichord Concerto No. 4; Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichord; Leonhardt Consort; Telefunken 97452

2:00
YourClassical

Francis Johnson

Francis B. Johnson (1792-1844): ‘The Philadelphia Gray’s Quickstep’; Symphony Orchestra of America; Matthew Phillips, conductor; Albany TROY-103

2:00
YourClassical

David Ward-Steinman's 'Cinnabar'

David Ward-Steinman (1936-2015): ‘Cinnabar’; Karen Elaine, viola; David Ward-Steinman, piano; Fleur de Son 57935

2:00
YourClassical

Bernstein, Blitzstein and Brecht

Kurt Weill (1900-1950): ‘Little Threepenny Music’; London Symphony members; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; CBS 44529

2:00
YourClassical

Thomas Greene Wiggins

Thomas Greene ‘Blind Tom’ Wiggins (1849-1908): ‘The Battle of Manassas’; John Davis, piano; Newport Classics 85660

2:00
YourClassical
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.