Billy Strayhorn
Billy Strayhorn (1915 - 1967) Take the "A" Train Billy Strayhorn, celeste; Duke Ellington, piano; ensemble Riverside 108
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook for May 31, 2013
1:59
Britten's "War Requiem"
Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976) War Requiem soloists; choirs; BBC Scottish Symphony; Martyn Brabbins, cond. Naxos 8.553558
1:59
Stravinsky's "Rite" at 100+
Igor Stravinsky The Rite of Spring Cleveland Orchestra; Pierre Boulez, cond. DG 435 769
1:59
John Williams and Alfred Hitchcock
John Williams (b. 1932) Closing Credits music, from Family Plot Utah Symphony Varese-Sarabande VCD-47225
1:59
Higdon's "Rhythm Stand"
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) Rhythm Stand University of Minnesota Symphonic Band;Craig Kirchoff, cond. Hal Leonard (full score, parts and CD)HL-04002285
1:59
Edward Collins premieres
Edward Collins (1889 - 1951) Mardi Gras and Tragic Overture Concordia Orchestra; Marin Alsop, cond. Albany 267
1:59
Verdi, Wagner and Sousa for the Red Cross
Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) Ride of the Valkyries, from Die Walküre New York Philharmonic and NBC Orchestra; Arturo Toscanini, cond. Radio Years 71/72 John Philip Sousa (arr. Toscanini) Stars and Stripes Forever New York Philharmonic and NBC Orchestra; Arturo Toscanini, cond. Radio Years 71/72
1:59
Carter and Copland in dancing shoes
Elliot Carter (1908 - 2012) Pocahontas Ballet American Composers Orchestra; Paul Dunkel, cond. CRI 610 Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990) Billy the Kid Ballet St. Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, cond. EMI 73653
1:59
Daniel Pinkham's "Nocturnes"
Daniel Pinkham (1923 - 2006) Nocturnes Fenwick Smith, flute; David Leisner, guitar Koch 7423
1:59
Richard Wagner at 200+
Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) Transformation music from Parsifal
1:59
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.