Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

YourClassical

MacDowell premieres

Edward MacDowell (1860 –1908) Piano Concerto No. 1 Seta Tanyel, piano; BBC Scottish Symphony; Martyn Brabbins, cond. Hyperion 67165 Edward MacDowell Suite No. 2 (Indian) Ulster Orchestra; Takuo Yuasa, cond. Naxos 8.559075

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Rorem's "Evidence"

Ned Rorem (b. 1923): Evidence of Things Not Seen Vocal soloists; Michael Barrett and Steven Blier, pianists New World 575

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A minute with Bolcom and Gosfield and

William Bolcom (b. 1939) A 60-second Ballet for Chickens Guy Livingston, piano Wergo 6649 Annie Gosfield (b. 1960) Brooklyn, October 5, 1941 Guy Livingston, piano Wergo 6649

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Ott on Second

David Ott (b. 1947) Symphony No. 2 Grand Rapids Symphony; Catherine Comet, cond. Koss 3301

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LeBaron and Poe

Anne LeBaron (b. 1953) Devil in the Belfry Christopher Pulgram, violin; Paula Peace, piano CRI 865

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Bernstein for young people

Giaocchino Rossini (1792 –1868) William Tell Overture New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, cond. CBS/Sony 48226 Maurice Ravel (1875 –1937) La Valse New York Philharmonic; Pierre Boulez, cond. CBS/Sony 45842

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Zwilich's Oboe Concerto

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (b. 1939) Oboe Concerto John Mack, oboe; Louisville Orchestra; James Sedares, cond. Koch 7278

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Salonen "does" LA

Esa-Pekka Salonen (b. 1958) LA Variations Los Angeles Philharmonic; Esa-Pekka Salonen, cond. Sony 89158

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The Mozarts in Vienna

Wolfgang Mozart (1756 –1791) String Quartet No. 14, K. 387 Juilliard Quartet CBS/Sony 45826 Wolfgang Mozart Piano Concerto No. 18, K 456 Richard Goode, piano; Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Nonesuch 79439

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Puccini's shocker

Giacomo Puccini (1858 –1924) Tosca Soloists and Philharmonia Orchestra; Giuseppe Sinopoli, cond. DG 431 775

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.