Leroy Anderson in the studio
Leroy Anderson (1908–1975): ‘Jazz Pizzicato’ and ‘The Waltzing Cat’; Decca studio orchestra; Leroy Anderson, conductor; MCA 9815
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Sept. 11, 2025
2:00
Berlioz and the Parisian prudes
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869): ‘Benvenuto Cellini’ and ‘Roman Carnival Overtures’; Staatskapelle Dresden; Sir Colin Davis, conductor; BMG/RCA 68790
2:00
Edward Burlingame Hill
Edward Burlingame Hill (1872-1960): ‘Prelude for Orchestra’; Columbia Symphony; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; CBS/Sony 61849
2:00
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, conductor; Philips 416 360
2:00
Hymnus Paradisi by Herbert Howells
Herbert Howells (1892-1983): ‘Hymnus Paradisi’; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra; Vernon Handley, conductor; Hyperion 66448
2:00
Henry Kimball Hadley
Henry Kimball Hadley (1871-1937): ‘The Culprit Fay’; Ukraine National Symphony; John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Naxos 8.559064
2:00
Amy Cheney and Mrs. Beach
Amy Beach (1867-1944): Piano Concerto; Joanne Polk, piano; English Chamber Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, conductor; Arabesque 6738
2:00
Mackey's 'Lost and Found'
Steven Mackey (b. 1956): ‘Lost and Found’; New World Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; BMG 63826
2:00
Ives in San Francisco
Charles Ives (1874-1954): ‘Washington’s Birthday’; Chicago Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; CBS/Sony 42381
2:00
Haydn at Esterhazy
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Symphony No. 48 (‘Maria Theresa’); Polish Chamber Orchestra; Jerzy Maksymiuk, conductor; EMI Classics 69767
2:00
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.