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. 6, 2023

YourClassical

Stephen Paulus and the Commissioning Club

Stephen Paulus (1949 - 2014) Dramatic Suite Judith Ranheim, flute; Chouhei Min, violin; Korey Konkol, viola; Mina Fisher, cello; Thelma Hunter, piano innova 539

1:59
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Verdi's "Otello" premieres

Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901) Act I excerpt, from Otello Ambrosian Chorus; New Philharmonia Orchestra; Sir John Barbirolli, conductor. EMI Classics 65296

2:00
YourClassical

The passing of Iannis Xenakis

Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001) Opening of A Colone New London Chamber Choir; Critical Band; James Wood, conductor. Hyperion 66980 Huuem-Duhey Edna Michell, violin; Michael Kanka, cello Angel 57179

2:00
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Kurtag's Tribute

György Kurtág (b. 1926) Omaggio a Luigi Nono SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart; Marcus Creed, director. SWR Music 93.174

2:00
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Haydn's "real" Miracle Symphony

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Symphony No. 96 in D Concertgebouw Orchestra; Sir Colin Davis, conductor. Philips 442 611

2:00
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Brahms in New York

Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897) Serenade No. 2 in A, Op. 16 Scottish Chamber Orchestra;Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor. Telarc 80522

2:00
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Glass Philip Glass Philip Glass

Philip Glass (b. 1937) Symphony No. 3 Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra; Dennis Russell Davies, conductor. Nonesuch 79581

2:00
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Shapero goes classical

Harold Shapero (b. 1920) Symphony for Classical Orchestra Los Angeles Philharmonic; André Previn, conductor. New World 373

2:00
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Donald Shirley

Today marks the birthday of the American pianist and composer Donald Shirley, who was born in Pensacola, Florida, in 1927, to Jamaican immigrant parents: a mother who was a teacher and a father an Episcopalian priest. Young Donald was a musical prodigy who made his debut with the Boston Pops at age 18, performing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.

2:00
YourClassical

Sir John Tavener

Sir John Tavener (1944-2013) Ikon of Eros Jorja Fleezanis, vn; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, conductor. Reference Recording 102

2:00

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.