Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

Composers Datebook for May 13, 2008

YourClassical
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YourClassical

Shostakovich gets on first

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975) Symphony No. 1, Op. 10 Cracow Philharmonic; Gilbert Levine, cond. Arabesque 6610

1:59
YourClassical

Offenbach in America

Jacques Offenbach (1819 - 1880) American Eagle Waltz Gulbenkian Orchestra; Michel Swierczewski, cond. Nimbus 5303

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YourClassical

Alfven defines musical Sweden

Hugo Alfven (1872 - 1960) Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 19 (A Midsummer Vigil) Iceland Symphony; Petri Sakari, cond. Chandos 9313

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YourClassical
1:59
YourClassical
1:59
YourClassical
1:59
YourClassical

Rautavaara's "Angels"

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928 - 2016) Angel of Dusk Olli Kosonen, double bass; Finnish Radio Symphony; Leif Segerstam, cond. Finlandia 009

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YourClassical

Britten in America

Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976) Paul Bunyan Overture English Chamber Orchestra; Philip Brunelle, cond. Virgin 45093 Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976) Sea Interludes, fr Peter Grimes, Op 33a BBC Symphony; Andrew Davis, cond. Teldec 73126

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YourClassical
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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.