Bernstein's "Mass"
On today’s date in 1971, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., was inaugurated with a gala performance of a new work by Leonard Bernstein.
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composer's Datebook - September 8, 2022
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Hymnus Paradisi by Herbert Howells
On this date in 1950, Herbert Howells led the premiere of a new work he titled “Hymnus Paradisi.”
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Henry Kimball Hadley
Composer Henry Kimball Hadley died on today’s date in 1937.
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Amy Cheney and Mrs. Beach
Amy Marcy Cheney Beach was born in Henniker, New Hampshire, on today’s date in 1867.
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Milhaud's "Symphonies"
On today’s date in 1892, Darius Milhaud was born in Aix-en-Provence.
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Ives in San Francisco
On today’s date in 1931, a short notice appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, which began: “Music never before heard in San Francisco will make up the program of the New Music Society to be conducted by Nicolas Slonimsky of Boston tonight in the Community Playhouse.”
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Haydn at Esterhazy
On today’s date in 1773, the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa was visiting the country estate of Prince Nikolaus of Esterhazy. Among the attractions there were an opera house, a marionette theater, and the Prince’s impressive chamber orchestra led by Franz Joseph Haydn.
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Pachelbel and his "Canon"
Johann Pachelbel was baptized on today’s date in Nuremberg in the year 1653.
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Weill's "Three-Penny Opera" in Berlin
On today’s date in 1928, Kurt Weill’s “Three Penny Opera,” whose cast members portrayed thieves, murderers, and sex workers, debuted at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin.
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Sousa gets stiffed in Minneapolis
It was on this day in 1929 that a new march by John Philip Sousa was played for the first time – once – and then promptly forgotten until almost 60 years later.
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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.