Bernstein meets Wharton
Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004) Farewell Dinner, from The Age of Innocence film score Studio orchestra; Elmer Bernstein, cond. EMI Classics 57451
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Mahler, Mickey and Masur?
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) Symphony No. 8 (Symphony of a Thousand) London Philharmonic; Klaus Tennstedt, cond. EMI Classics 64476 Aaron Kernis (b. 1960) Second Symphony (Alarm) City of Birmingham Symphony; Hugh Wolff, cond. Argo 448 900
Hanslick and Thomson, critics at large
Richard Wagner (1813-1883) Act III excerpts, from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Deutschen Oper Berlin Orchestra; Eugen Jochum, cond. DG 415 281 Virgil Thomson (1896-1989) Digging (A Portrait of Howard Rea) London Gabrieli Brass Ensemble; Christopher Larkin, cond. Hyperion 66517
Berlioz and the Parisian prudes
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) Benvenuto Cellini and Roman Carnival Overtures Staatskapelle Dresden; Sir Colin Davis, cond. BMG/RCA 68790
Edward Burlingame Hill
Edward Burlingame Hill (1872-1960) Prelude for Orchestra Columbia Symphony; Leonard Bernstein, cond. CBS/Sony 61849
Bernstein's "Mass"
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) Sanctus, from Mass Empire Brass Telarc 80159 Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) Simple Song, from Mass Boston Pops; John Williams, cond. Philips 416 360
Colorful music by Bliss and Torke
Sir Arthur Bliss (1891-1975) Red, from A Color Symphony English Northern Philharmonia; David Lloyd-Jones, cond. Naxos 8.553460 Michael Torke (b. 1961) Bright Blue Music Baltimore Symphony; David Zinman, cond. Argo 433 071
Vaughan Williams and Gavin Bryars look back
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields; Sir Neville Marriner, cond. Argo 414 595 Gavin Bryars (b.1943) Cadman Requiem Hilliard Ensemble; Fretwork Point 462 511
Amy Cheney and Mrs. Beach
Amy Beach (1867-1944) Piano Concerto in c#, Op. 45 Joanne Polk, piano; English Chamber Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, cond. Arabesque 6738
Milhaud's "Symphonies"
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974) Symphony No. 9, Op. 380 Basel Radio Symphony; Alun Francis, cond. CPO 199 166
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.