Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
On today’s date in 1995, Henry Brant conducted the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Ottawa, Canada, in the premiere of one of his orchestrations – in this case, a symphonic version of the “Concord” Piano Sonata of Charles Ives.
On today’s date in 1980, David Byrne’s “High Life for Strings” premiered at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
On June 14th, 2001, Daniel Godfrey’s String Quartet No. 3 received its premiere by the Cassatt Quartet at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport.
Milhaud’s “Suite Française” was premiered by the Goldman Band in New York City on today’s date in 1945, and rapidly became one of the best-known and most often performed of Milhaud’s works, and one of the established classics of the wind-band repertory.
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) Concerto for Orchestra Atlanta Symphony; Robert Spano, cond. Telarc 80620
On today’s date in 1931, the Russian-born American composer Nicolas Slonimsky was in Paris, conducting the second of two concerts of modern music from the Americas.
On today’s date in 1939, conductor Adrian Boult led the New York Philharmonic in premiere performances of three brand-new works by leading British composers of the day.
Haydn’s Orpheus and Euridice was supposed to premiere in 1791 in London. But a spat between the Prince of Wales and his pop, King George III, meant the performance was off. The opera was eventually premiered 160 years later – on today’s date in 1951.
On today’s date in 2012, a new chamber work by Carter with an odd title received its first performance at a concert in the New York Philharmonic’s CONTACT! Series.
Alice Parker’s “Dancing Songs” was premiered by the Amherst Regional Middle School Choir and their director David Ranen on today’s date in 2011.
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.
