Leo Sowerby
Leo Sowerby (1895-1968): ‘Classic Concerto’; David Mulbury, organ; Fairfield Orchestra; John Welsh, conductor; Naxos 8.559028
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - May 1, 2024
2:00
Operatic intrigue and Debussy's 'Pelleas'
Claude Debussy (1862-1918): ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’; Cleveland Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, conductor; Cleveland 9375
2:00
Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974): ‘The River Suite’; Detroit Symphony; Neeme Järvi, conductor; Chandos 9154
2:00
Diamond's Fifth, finally!
David Diamond (1915-2005): Symphony No. 5; Juilliard Orchestra, Christopher Keene, conductor; New World 80396
2:00
Handel with no strings attached
George Frederic Handel (1685-1759): ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; Argo 414596
2:00
Serebrier assists Stokie (and Ives)
Charles Ives (1874-1954): Symphony No. 4; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; DG 4839505 José Serebrier (b. 1938): Symphony No. 2 (‘Partita’) London Philharmonic; José Serebrier, conductor; Reference 90
2:00
Puccini victorious
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924): ‘Nessun dorma,’ from ‘Turandot’; Academy of St Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; EMI 49552
2:00
Seasonal music by Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): ‘Ländler,’ from ‘The Seasons’; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; Philips 438715
2:00
Meeting deadlines: Tchaikovsky and Zaimont
Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): ‘May,’ from ‘The Seasons’; Lang Lang, piano; Sony 11758 Judith Lang Zaimont (b. 1945): ‘The May Fly,’ from ‘Calendar Collection’; Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano; Leonarda 334
2:00
Morton Gould rewrites history
Morton Gould (1913-1996): ‘Fall River Legend’; New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; James Sedares, conductor; Koch 7181
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.