Tower's Violin Concerto
Joan Tower (b. 1938): Violin Concerto; Elmar Oliveira, violin; Louisville Orchestra; Joseph Silverstein, conductor; D’Note 1016
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - April 24, 2025
2:00
Gabriela Lena Frank's 'Three Latin American Dances'
Gabriela Lena Frank (b. 1972): ‘Three Latin American Dances’; Utah Symphony; Keith Lockhart, conductor; Reference Recording 105
2:00
Husa's 'Apotheosis of this Earth'
Karel Husa (1921-2016): ‘Apotheosis of this Earth’; Ithaca College Wind Ensemble; Rodney Winther, conductor; Mark 3170
2:00
Copland's 'Hurricane' for kids
Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘The Second Hurricane’; High School of Music and Art; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 60560
2:00
Biblical Torke
Michael Torke (b. 1961): ‘Song of Isaiah’; Present Music; innova 590
2:00
Anthony Braxton's operas
Anthony Braxton (b. 1945): excerpt from Act 2 of ‘Trillium J’; soloists and ensemble; Anthony Braxton, conductor; New Braxton House 906
1:59
'King's Row,' Korngold and 'Star Wars'
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957): ‘Main Title,’ from ‘King’s Row’; National Philharmonic; Charles Gerhardt, conductor; RCA LSC-3330 (LP) & 7890-2-RG (CD)
1:58
Holst and Hammersmith
Gustav Holst (1874-1934): ‘Hammersmith’; Dallas Wind Symphony; Howard Dunn, conductor; Reference Recordings 39
2:00
Persichetti and Leon for band
Vincent Pershichetti (1915-1987): Symphony No. 6 (‘Symphony for Band’); Eastman Wind Ensemble; Frederick Fennell, conductor; Mercury 432 754 Tania Leon (b. 1943): ‘Alegre’; American Composers Forum Bandquest CD-ROM; Hal Leonard
2:00
Handel's famous 'Largo'
George Frederic Handel (1685-1759): ‘Largo,’ from ‘Xerxes’; Boston Pops; Arthur Fiedler, conductor; BMG 62698
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.