Walton and the Royals
On today’s date in 1953, thousands crowded the route to and from London’s Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – an event for which composer William Walton was asked to write two new pieces.
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composer's Datebook - 20220602
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Handel's Testament
When most people hit 65, they’re anticipating their first social security check, but on today’s date in 1750, when George Frederick Handel turned 65, he was making out his will.
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Peter Sellars and John Adams
On today’s date 2012, a new oratorio by John Adams and Peter Sellars titled “The Gospel According to the Other Mary” received its world premiere at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles with Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
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Britten's "War Requiem"
On today’s date in 1962, Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem” for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus, and orchestra, had its premiere performance at Coventry Cathedral in England.
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Stravinsky's "Rite" at 100+
It was on today’s date in 1913 that Igor Stravinsky’s ballet “The Rite of Spring” premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
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John Williams and Alfred Hitchcock
In 1975, Alfred Hitchcock asked John Williams to write music for what would turn out to be the last film completed by the famous Master of Suspense.
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Higdon's "Rhythm Stand"
Jennifer Higdon’s “Rhythm Stand” premiered in Philadelphia in 2003.
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Edward Collins premieres
In 1923, the Chicago North Shore Festival sponsored a competition for new orchestral works. Of the 47 scores submitted, five finalists were selected. Two of those were by the same composer, a 33-year-old Illinois native named Edward Collins.
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Verdi, Wagner and Sousa for the Red Cross
On May 25, 1944, the combined orchestras of the New York Philharmonic and the NBC Symphony presented a Red Cross Benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, with Arturo Toscanini conducting.
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Carter and Copland in dancing shoes
On today's date in 1939, the orchestral version of Elliott Carter's "Pocahontas" Ballet was presented by the Ballet Caravan at its home base at the Martin Beck Theater in New York.
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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.