Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

Composers Datebook - May 18, 2024

YourClassical

Proust, Joyce, Stravinsky

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘Renard’; Orchestre Du Domaine Musical; Pierre Boulez, conductor; Decca 481151

2:00
YourClassical

Bernstein's Philharmonic stats

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990): Symphony No. 2 (‘The Age of Anxiety’); Marc-Andre Hamelin, piano; Ulster Orchestra; Dmitry Sitkovetsky, condcutor; Hyperion 67170

2:00
YourClassical

Poldowski

Régine Wieniawski (aka Poldowski) (1879-1932): ‘Scherzo’ from Violin Sonata; Clare Howick, violin; Miroslaw Feldgebel, piano; Dux 1840

2:00
YourClassical

Happy birthday, Brian Eno

Brian Eno (b. 1948): ‘Music for Airports’; Brian Eno, synthesizers; Polydor 2310 647

2:00
YourClassical

Rautavaara's Fifth

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016): Symphony No. 5; Leipzig Radio Symphony; Max Pommer, conductor; BMG 62671

2:00
YourClassical

Beach at the opera

Amy Beach (1867-1944): ‘Cabildo’; ensemble; Ransom Wilson, conductor; Delos 3170

2:00
YourClassical

Reich and Korot tell tales

Steve Reich (b. 1936): Music for Large Ensemble; Alarm Will Sound and Ossia; Alan Pierson, conductor; Nonesuch 79546

1:59
YourClassical

Lloyd-Webber's long-lived 'Cats'

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704): ‘Sonata Violino Solo Representativa’; Il Giardino Armonico; Giovanni Antonini, conductor; Teldec 21464 Andrew Lloyd-Webber (b. 1948): ‘Cats’ Overture; Original Broadway Cast orchestra; Geffen 22031

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Copland at the movies

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘Our Town’ Suite; Saint Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, conductor; BMG 61699

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.