Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

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

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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, cond. EMI Classics 65296

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The passing of Iannis Xenakis

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

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Mexico's Blas Galindo Dimas

Blas Galindo Dimas (1910-1993) Sones de mariachi Mexico City Philharmonic; Enrique Batiz, cond. EMI 49785

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Haydn's "real" Miracle Symphony

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

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George Walker's Pulitzer Prize

George Walker (b. 1922) Lilacs Faye Robinson, soprano; Arizona State University Symphony; Timothy Russell, cond. Summit 274

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Bolcom's "Ghost" Rags

William Bolcom (b. 1938) Poltergeist and Graceful Ghost Rags Paul Jacobs, piano Nonesuch 79006

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.