Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

YourClassical

First — and last — orchestral pieces by Brahms and Harrison?

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Variations on a theme by Haydn, Op. 56a Cleveland Orchestra; Christoph von Dohnanyi, cond. Teldec 8.44005 Lou Harrison (1917-2003) Symphony No. 4 (Last Symphony) California Symphony; Barry Jekowsky, cond. Argo 455 590

YourClassical
YourClassical

Larsen and Waxman do "The Monster Mash"

Libby Larsen (b.1950) What the Monster Saw Cleveland Chamber Symphony; Edwin London, cond. GM Recordings 2039 Franz Waxman (1906-1967) The Bride of Frankenstein National Philharmonic; Charles Gerhardt, cond. RCA 0708

YourClassical
YourClassical

"Don Giovanni" in Prague (and Vienna)

Wolfgang Mozart (1756-1791) Don Giovanni Michele Pertusi (as Leporello); London Philharmonic; Sir Georg Solti, cond. London 455 500

YourClassical
YourClassical

Villa-Lobos meets the harmonica

Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) Harmonica Concerto Robert Bonfiglio, harmonica; New York Chamber Orchestra; Gerard Schwarz, cond. RCA/BMG 7986

YourClassical

Elgar gets short-changed

Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Cello Concerto, Op. 85 Jacqueline du Pré, cello; Philadephia Orchestra; Daniel Barenboim, cond. Sony 60789

YourClassical
YourClassical

Of Crumb and the Crash

George Crumb (b. 1929) Musica Apocalyptica, fr Star-Child Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra; Thomas Conlin, cond. Bridge 9095

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.