Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

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Stravinsky and J.F.K.

Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971) Three Movements fr Petrouchka Louis Lortie, piano Chandos 8733

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Adams shakes things up

John Adams (b. 1947) I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the sky Audra MacDonald, soprano; ensemble; John Adams, cond. Nonesuch 79473

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The leftist Britten

Benjamin Britten (1913 – 1976) Diversions Peter Donohoe, piano; City of Birmingham Symphony; Simon Rattle, cond. EMI 54270

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Danielpour salutes "The Greatest Generation"

Richard Danielpour (b. 1956) In Paradisum from Elegies Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano; Thomas Hampson, baritone; London Philharmonic; Roger Nierenberg, cond. Sony Classical 60850

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Ravel reviewed

Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1937) Piano Concerto in G Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano; Montréal Symphony; Charles Dutoit, cond. London 452 448

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Stravinsky at the circus

Igor Stravinsky (1882 –1971) Circus Polka London Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, cond. RCA 68865

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Athena on the air

Athena Adamopoulos (b. 1987) Soliloquy Yo Yo Ma, cello; Christopher O'Riley, piano Live recording courtesy of From The Top (PRI)

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The murderous Mr. Copland

Aaron Copland (1900 –1990) Symphony for Orchestra and Organ Wayne Marshall, organ; Dallas Symphony; Andrew Litton, cond. Delos 3221

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Handel in London

George Frederic Handel (1685 – 1757) Bourrée from Rodrigo Hallé Orchestra; Sir John Barbirolli, cond. EMI 63956 George Frederic Handel (1685 – 1757) Overture to Teseo The English Concert;Trevor Pinnock, cond. Archiv 419 219

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Singleton in Atlanta

Alvin Singleton (b. 1940) After Fallen Crumbs Atlanta Symphony; Louis Lane, cond. Nonesuch 79231

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.