Ceremonial Beethoven and Schuman
If you had arrived early for the gala reopening celebration of Vienna’s Josephstadt Theater on today’s date in 1822, you might have heard the theater orchestra frantically rehearing a new overture by Beethoven.
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composer's Datebook - 20221003
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Joan Tower's "Made in America"
Joan Tower’s “Made in America” received its first performance by the Glen Falls Symphony Orchestra in New York State on today’s date in 2005.
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Flagg-waving in Colonial Boston?
On today’s date in 1768, two regiments of British redcoats marched into colonial Boston accompanied by martial music provided by their regimental wind band. It was that city’s introduction to the exotic sound of massed oboes, bassoons, and French horns.
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The Twilight Zone
On today’s date in 1960, the second season of “The Twilight Zone,” — the legendary TV series created by Mr. Serling — began airing on CBS.
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Holst (and Colin Matthews) in outer space
One of the most popular works of 20th-century orchestral music, “The Planets” by Gustav Holst, had its first performance on today’s date in 1918.
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Bielawa's "Chance Encounter"
Lisa Bielawa’s “Chance Encounter” received its premiere performance at Seward Park in New York City on today’s date in 2008.
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In Memoriam: Schubert and Oldham
On this date in 1828, Franz Schubert attended a party at the Vienna home of one of his admirers and played some of his new piano sonata in B-flat, which he had completed only the previous day.
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Weill's "September Song"
The haunting melody “September Song” by Kurt Weill was first heard by the public on today’s date in the year 1938, during a trial run in Hartford, Connecticut, of a new musical titled “Knickerbocker Holiday.”
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Shostakovich's 60th
On today’s date in 1966, the 60th birthday of composer Dimitri Shostakovich was celebrated at the Moscow Conservatory with a gala orchestral concert of his music.
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Bach and Hoover "double their pleasure, double their fun"
Katherine Hoover’s Double Concerto was premiered by the Southeastern Kansas Orchestra on today’s date in 1989.
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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.