Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

Composer's Datebook - Feb. 19, 2023

YourClassical

Smyth the Prisoner

Ethel Smyth (1858-1944): The Prison (Dashon Burton, b-bar; Experimental Orch and Chorus; James Blachly, conductor.) Chandos 5279

2:00
YourClassical

Music by and about telephones

Gian Carlo Menotti (b. 1911) excerpt, from The Telephone New York Chamber Ensemble; Stephen Rogers Radcliffe, conductor. Albany 173

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

A Romance for Bassoon

Elgar (1857-1934) Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra, Op. 62 Graham Salvage, bassoon; Halle Orchestra; Mark Elder, conductor. Halle Elgar Edition HLL-7505

2:00
YourClassical

A belated Elgar premiere

Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Symphony No. 3 (elaborated by Anthony Payne) BBC Symphony; Andrew Davis, conductor. NMC 053

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Elsa Barraine

Elsa Barraine (1910-1999): Crépuscules Lin Foulk Baird, fh; Martha Fischer, p. Centaur CRC-3857

2:00
YourClassical

The Brothers Johnson write an anthem

J.W. (1871-1938) and J.R. (1873-1954) Johnson Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Choirs and Boston Pops Orchestra; Keith Lockhart, conductor. BMG/RCA 63888

2:00
YourClassical
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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.