Handel and the Bible
George Frederic Handel (1685-1759): ‘Israel in Egypt’; King’s College Choir; Brandenburg Consort; Stephen Cleobury, conductor; London 452 295
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Nov. 1, 2024
2:00
The Devil’s Sentry Box
Dan Román (b. 1974): ‘La Garita del Diabolo’ from ‘Fabulas’; Katalin Viszmeg, violin; Pi-Hsun Shih, piano; Innova 904
2:00
Rorem's 'Nantucket Songs'
Ned Rorem (1923-2022): ‘Nantucket Songs’; Phyllis Bryn-Julson, soprano; Ned Rorem, piano; CRI 670
2:00
James P. Johnson's signature tune for 1920s
James P. Johnson (1894-1955): ‘Charleston’; Leslie Stifelman, piano; Concordia Orchestra; Marin Alsop, conductor; MusicMasters 67140
2:00
Ince's 'Flight Box'
Kamran Ince (b. 1960): ‘Flight Box’; Present Music Ensemble; Kevin Stalheim, conductor; Present Music 6509
2:00
Daniel Asia's Fourth
Daniel Asia (b. 1953): Symphony No. 4; New Zealand Symphony; James Sedares, conductor; Summit 256
2:00
Shostakovich goes for the 'Gold'
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): ‘Polka,’ from ‘The Age of Gold’; Moscow Chamber Orchestra; Constantine Orbelian, conductor; Delos 3257
2:00
A Strauss tale too good to be true
Richard Strauss (1861-1949): ‘Ariadne auf Naxos’; Vienna Philharmonic; James Levine, conductor; DG 419 225
2:00
William Grant Still's 'Africa'
William Grant Still (1895-1978): ‘Land of Romance’ and ‘Land of Superstition,’ from ‘Africa’; Fort Smith ASym; John Jeter, conductor; Naxos 8.559174
2:00
Piston's 'New England Sketches'
Walter Piston (1894-1976): ‘Three New England Sketches’; Seattle Symphony; Gerard Schwarz, conductor; Delos 3106
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.