Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): ‘Variations on a theme by Haydn’; Cleveland Orchestra; Christoph von Dohnanyi, conductor; Teldec 8.44005 Lou Harrison (1917-2003): Symphony No. 4 (‘Last Symphony’); California Symphony; Barry Jekowsky, conductor; Argo 455 590
Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘The Red Pony Suite’; Dallas Symphony; Andrew Litton, conductor; Delos 3221
Olga Neuwirth (b. 1968): ‘Intro’ from ‘Lost Highway’; Klanform Wien; Johannes Kalitzke, conductor; Kairos CD-0012542KAI
Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘Appalachian Spring’; Saint Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, conductor; EMI 73653
Wolfgang Mozart (1756-1791): ‘Don Giovanni’; Michele Pertusi (as Leporello); London Philharmonic; Georg Solti, conductor; London 455 500
Jeremy Walker: ‘Alma Gentil’ and ‘The Rainy Day,’ from ‘Haunted Blue’ Clara Osowski, mezzo-soprano; Tefsa Wondemagegnehu, tenor; Jeremy Walker, piano; ‘Haunted Blue’ CD 93428 00177
Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959): ‘Harmonica Concerto’; Robert Bonfiglio, harmonica; New York Chamber Orchestra; Gerard Schwarz, conductor; RCA/BMG 7986
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Cello Concerto; Jacqueline du Pré, cello; Philadephia Orchestra; Daniel Barenboim, conductor; Sony 60789
Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): Piano Concerto No. 1; Van Cliburn, piano; RCA Symphony; Kirill Kondrashin, conductor; Philips 456 748
George Crumb (1929-2022): ‘Musica Apocalyptica,’ from ‘Star-Child’; Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra; Thomas Conlin, conductor; Bridge 9095
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.
