A "pathetic" symphony by Tchaikovsky
Peter Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique) Russian National Orchestra; Mikhail Pletnev, cond. DG 449 967
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
"Eating Greens" with Mackey
Steven Mackey (b. 1956) Eating Greens New World Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, cond. RCA/BMG 63826
Robert Ward panned and prized
Robert Ward (b. 1917) The Crucible New York City Opera; Emerson Buckley, cond. Albany 25/26
Martinu at the lost and found
Bohuslav Martinu (1890 - 1959) Violin Concerto No. 1 Josef Suk, violin; Czech Philharmonic; Vaclav Neumann, cond. Supraphon 11 0702
Robert Russell Bennett takes the prize (twice)
Robert Russell Bennett (1894 – 1891) Abraham Lincoln (A Likeness in Symphony Form) Moscow Symphony; William T. Stromberg, cond. Naxos 8.559004
Stravinsky strikes a chord
Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1981) Violin Concerto in D Maxim Vengerov, violin; London Symphony; Mstislav Rostropovich, cond. EMI Classics 56966
Adams at the opera
John Adams (b. 1947) Nixon in China Orchestra of St. Luke's; Edo de Waart, cond. Nonesuch 794543
Beethoven and Sibelius take the Fifth
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) Symphony No. 5 Royal Philharmonic; René Leibowitz, cond. Chesky 17 Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957) Symphony No. 5 Lahti Symphony; Osmo Vänska BIS 1288
Mennin tackles "Moby Dick"
Peter Mennin (1923 – 1983) Concertato (Moby Dick) Albany Symphony; David Alan Miller, cond. Albany 260
Gershwin's String Quartet
George Gershwin (1898 – 1937) Lullaby Manhattan String Quartet Newport Classics 60033
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.