Deems Taylor
Deems Taylor (1885–1966) Through the Looking Glass Seattle Symphony; Gerard Schwarz, cond. Delos 3099
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
William Henry Fry
William Henry Fry (1813–1864) The Breaking Heart Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Tony Rowe, cond. Naxos 8.559057
Harbison's "Great American Opera?"
John Harbison (b. 1938) Remembering Gatsby Minnesota Orchestra; Edo de Waart, cond. Vol. 11, from "Minnesota Orchestra at 100" special edition boxed CD set
Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms
Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971) Symphony of Psalms The Monteverdi Choir; London Symphony; John Eliot Gardiner, cond. DG 436 789
Previn and Adams salute Emily
Andre Previn (b. 1930) Three Dickinson Songs Renée Fleming, soprano; André Previn, piano DG 471 028 John Adams (b. 1947) Harmonium San Francisco Symphony and Chorus; Edo de Waart, cond. ECM 1277
Brahms makes his debut
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 1 Sviatoslav Richter, piano Philips 438 477
Prokofiev in Chicago
Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) Piano Concerto No. 3 Alexander Toradze, piano; Kirov Orchestra; Valery Gergiev, cond. Philips 462 048
Bloch's "American" Concerto
Ernest Bloch (1880–1959) Violin Concerto Oleh Krysa, violin; Malmo Symphony; Sakari Oramo, cond. BIS 639
Barber in Rome (part 2)
Samuel Barber (1910–1981) String Quartet Op. 11 Tokyo String Quartet RCA/BMG 61387
Barber in Rome (part 1)
Samuel Barber (1910–1981) Symphony No. 1 Saint Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, cond. RCA/BMG 60732
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.