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.
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composer's Datebook - September 29, 2022
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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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A Mass in Time of Terror?
Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Missa in angustiis” premiered on today’s date in 1798.
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Higdon welcomes Autumn
As the season begins, we offer you this “Autumn Music” — a woodwind quintet by American composer Jennifer Higdon.
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Of froth and Friml
Today’s date marks the premiere in New York City, in 1925, of a classic operetta “The Vagabond King” by Rudolf Friml.
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Sibelius passes
Today’s date commemorates the death, in 1957, of the most famous Finnish composer of modern times, Jean Sibelius.
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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.