Havergal Brian writes one for the record books
Havergal Brian (1876-1972) Symphony No. 1 (Gothic) CSR Symphony and Slovak Philharmonic; Ondrej Lenard, cond. Marco Polo 8.223280/81
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook for June 24, 2008
1:59
Robert Ward's modern concerto in romantic style
Robert Ward (b. 1917) Piano Concerto Marjorie Mitchell, p; Stuttgart Radio Symphony; William Strickland, cond. Bay Cities 1001
1:59
Roy Whelden's new music for an old instrument
Roy Whelden (b. 1950) Prelude and Divisions on She's So Heavy Roy Whelden, viola da gamba New Albion 59 Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787) Gamba Quartet American Baroque New Albion 59
1:59
The sounds of summer by Barber and Wagner
Samuel Barber (1910 - 1981) Summer Music, Op. 31 Reykjavik Wind Quintet Chandos 9174 Richard Wagner (1813 - 1881) Act I Prelude, fr Die Meistersinger SWR Radio Symphony; Roger Norrington, cond. Hänssler Classics 93000
1:59
Mendelssohn and Tavener consort with royals
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Symphony No. 3 (Scottish) Chamber Orchestra of Europe; Nikolaus Harnoncour, cond. Teldec 72308 John Tavener (b. 1944) Fall and Resurrection City of London Sinfonia; Richard Hickox, cond. Chandos 9800
1:59
Variations (enigmatic and otherwise) by Elgar and Britten
Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934) Enigma Variations. Op. 36 Philharmonia Orchestra; Andrew Davis, cond. Sony/CBS 44788 Benjamin Britten (1913- 1976) Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10 English Chamber Orchestra; Benjamin Britten, cond. London 417 509
1:59
Britten's Mahler premiere in Aldeburgh
Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911) Blumine, fr Symphony No. 1 Israel Philharmonic; Zubin Mehta, cond. EMI 69816 Thomas Adès (b. 1971) Asyla City of Birmingham Symphony; Sir Simon Rattle, cond. EMI 56818
1:59
Victor Herbert classics, light and otherwise
Victor Herbert (1859 - 1924) Babes in Toyland Razumovsky Symphony; Keith Brion, cond. Naxos 559 025 Victor Herbert (1859 - 1924) Cello Concerto No. 1 in D, Op. 8 Lynn Harrell, cello; St. Martin's Academy; Neville Marriner, cond. London 417 672
1:59
Bernard Herrman's low-budget classic
Bernard Herrmann (1911 - 1975) Psycho (A Narrative for Orchestra) London Philharmonic; Bernard Herrmann, cond. London 443 895
1:59
A surprise commission for Mr. Sousa
John Philip Sousa (1854 - 1932) The Washington Post March Dallas Wind Symphony; Jerry Junkin, cond. Reference 94 John Philip Sousa (1854 - 1932) Peaches and Cream Foxtrot Cincinnati Pops; Erich Kunzel, cond. Moss MMG-10005
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.