Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge

Composers Datebook for December 21, 2008

YourClassical

Prokofiev's "Ode to Joe?"

Sergei Prokofiev (1891 – 1953) Lieutenant Kije Suite Chicago Symphony; Claudio Abbado, cond. DG 447 419 Sergei Prokofiev (1891 – 1953) A toast! Op. 85 St. Petersburg Philharmonic Choir; New Philharmonia Orchestra; Alexander Titov, cond Beaux 38

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YourClassical

Mouret's Masterpiece?

Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682 – 1738) Rondeau Wynton Marsalis, trumpet; English Chamber Orchestra; Anthony Newman, cond. SONY 66244

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YourClassical
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Bruckner thinks big

Anton Bruckner (1824 – 1896) Symphony No. 8 London Philharmonic; Klaus Tennstedt, cond. EMI 64849

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Schubert's "Unfinished" business

Franz Schubert (1795 – 1828) arr. Brian Newbould Symphony No. 8 Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields; Sir Neville Marriner, cond. Philips 412 176

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Reznicek of the Mounties?

Emil von Reznicek (1860 – 1945) Donna Diana Overture Symphony Nova Scotia; Georg Tintner, cond. CBC 5167

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Thomas and the trombone

Augusta Read Thomas (b. 1964) Meditation Christian Lindberg, trombone; BBC National Orchestra of Wales; Grant Llewellyn, cond. BIS 788

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YourClassical
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YourClassical

Chopin is smitten

Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849) Polonaise in c#, Op. 26 Garrick Ohlsson, piano Arabesque 6642

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Brahms and the clarinet

Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897) Clarinet Quintet, Op. 115 Charles Neidich, clarinet; Juilliard String Quartet Sony 66285

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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.