Gabriel Kahane
The American composer and singer songwriter Gabriel Kahane claims someone once described one of his songs as having been from the wastepaper basket of Schubert – but, Kahane hastens to add, “I think he meant that as a compliment.”
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composer's Datebook - May 12, 2022
2:00
Maazel's "Ring without Words"
In 1987, Telarc Records asked the late conductor Lorin Maazel if he would make a purely orchestral distillation of the four operas that make up Richard Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelung.”
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Maxwell Davies at a wedding (with sunrise)
“An Orkney Wedding with Sunrise” was a commission from the Boston Pops, who gave its premiere on today’s date in 1985, with John Williams conducting.
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Alexis Alrich's Marimba Concerto
One today’s date in 2004, a new concerto for marimba and orchestra had its premiere in San Francisco, with soloist Matthew Cannon and the San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra.
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Beethoven's Second on first?
On today’s date in 1821, back when James Monroe was president, Beethoven’s Second Symphony was performed in Philadelphia at a concert of the Musical Fund Society.
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Thomson's "Mother of Us All"
On today’s date in 1947, a new opera entitled “The Mother of Us All” debuted at Columbia University in New York City.
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Larsen's "Lyric" Third
On today’s date in 1992, Joel Revzen conducted the Albany Symphony in the premiere of the Third Symphony of American composer Libby Larsen.
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Debussy's Violin Sonata
On May 5, 1917, Debussy made his last public appearance in Paris at the Salle Gaveay, accompanying violinist Gaston Poulet in the premiere of his final work – a Sonata for Violin and Piano.
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Dvořák salutes the flag
On today’s date in 1895, the New York Choral Society gave the premiere of a choral work by Antonin Dvorak entitled “The American Flag.”
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A chamber quartet by Cowell
Henry Cowell’s Quartet for Flute, Oboe, Cello and Harp premiered on today’s date in 1963.
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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.