Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

Composers Datebook - June 30, 2024

YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Tower's musical islands

Joan Tower (b. 1938): ‘Island Rhythms’; Louisville Orchestra; Lawrence Leighton Smith, conductor; Louisville 6 Joan Tower (b. 1938): ‘Island Prelude’; Peter Bowman, oboe; Saint Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Nonesuch 79245

2:00
YourClassical

Robert Xavier Rodriguez

Robert Xavier Rodriguez (b. 1946): ‘Frida and Tango Suites’; Voices of Change; Robert Xavier Rodriguez, conductor; CRI 824

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical
1:59
YourClassical

Stravinsky meets Debussy

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘The Firebird Ballet’; Russian National Orchestra; Mikhail Pletnev, conductor; DG 453 434

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

William Grant Still's rain-delayed premiere

William Grant Still (1895-1978): ‘And They Lynched Him on a Tree’; Plymouth Music Series Singers; Leigh Morris Chorale; Philip Brunelle, conductor; Collins Classics 14542

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
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

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.