How to win friends and influence Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Cello Concerto No. 1; Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor; (Sony 7858322)
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Oct. 4, 2025
2:00
Ceremonial Beethoven and Schuman
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): ‘Consecration of the House Overture’; Berlin Philharmonic; Bernhard Klee, conductor; DG 453 713 Willliam Schuman (1910-1992): ‘To Thee Old Cause’; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 63088
2:00
Joan Tower's 'Made in America'
Joan Tower (b. 1938): ‘Made in America’; Nashville Symphony/Leonard Slatkin (Naxos 8559328)
2:00
Flagg-waving in Colonial Boston?
Oliver Shaw (1779-1848): ‘Gov. Arnold’s March’; Members of the Federal Music Society; John Baldon, conductor; New World 80299
2:00
The Twilight Zone
Marius Constant (1925-2004): ‘The Twilight Zone’ Main Theme (second version); Orchestra; Joel McNeely, conductor; Varese-Sarabande VSD2-6087 Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975): ‘The Twilight Zone’ Main Theme (first version); Orchestra; Joel McNeely, conductor; Varese-Sarabande VSD2-6087
2:00
Holst (and Colin Matthews) in outer space
Gustav Holst (1874-1934): ‘The Planets’; Montréal Symphony; Charles Dutoit, conductor; London 460 606 Colin Matthews (b. 1946): ‘Pluto’; Hallé Orchestra; Mark Elder, condictor; Hyperion 67270
2:00
Bielawa's 'Chance Encounter'
Lisa Bielawa (b. 1968): ‘Chance Encounter’; Susan Narucki, soprano; The Knights (Orange Mountain Music 7004)
2:00
In Memoriam: Schubert and Oldham
Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Piano Sonata No. 21; Alfred Brendel, piano (Philips 456 573) Kevin Oldham (1960-1993): Concerto for Piano; Ian Hobson, piano; Kansas City Symphony; Bill McGlaughlin, conductor (BMG/Catalyst 61979)
2:00
Weill's 'September Song'
Kurt Weill (1900-1950): ‘September Song’ (arr. Morton Gould); Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; John Mauceri, conductor; (Philips 446 404)
2:00
Shostakovich's 60th
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Symphony No. 1; St. Petersburg Philharmonic; Yuri Temikanov, conductor (BMG 68844) Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Cello Concerto No. 2; Msistislav Rostropovich, cello; Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor (DG 437 952)
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.