Composers Datebook®

John Morton in a box

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Daniel Jensen Spin Spin Edelweiss 8" music box (Angelo Rulli collection) Scandia 2323

John Morton (b. 1954) White Tara John Morton, music boxes and piano; William Blossom, bass innova 553

On This Day

Births

  • 1687 - German violinist and composer and violinist Johann Georg Pisendel, in Cadolzburg;

  • 1926 - American trumpeter and composer Earle Brown, in Lunenburg, Ma.;

Premieres

  • 1709 - Handel: opera "Agrippina" in Venice at the Teatro San Giovanni Grisostomo;

  • 1723 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 40 ("Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes") and "Magnificat" in E-flat, (S. 243a) performed on the 2nd Day of Christmas as part of Bach's first annual Sacred Cantata cycle in Leipzig (1723/24);

  • 1724 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 121 ("Christum wir colleen loben schon") performed on the 2nd Day of Christmas as part of Bach's second annual Sacred Cantata cycle in Leipzig (1724/25);

  • 1725 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 57 ("Selig ist der Mann") performed in Leipzig on the 2nd Day of Christmas as part of Bach's third annual Sacred Cantata cycle(1725/27);

  • 1734 - Bach: Part 2 ("Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegen") of the 6-part "Christmas Oratorio," S. 248, in Leipzig;

  • 1767 - Gluck: opera, "Alceste" (1st version) in Vienna at the Imperial Court Theater;

  • 1770 - Mozart: opera, "Mitridate, Re di Ponto," (composed at age 14) in Milan, at the Teatro Regio Ducale;

  • 1772 - Mozart: opera, "Lucio Silla," (composed at age 16) in Milan, at the Teatro Regio Ducale;

  • 1827 - Schubert: Piano Trio in Eb, Op. 100 (D. 929), at the Music Society Hall in Vienna, by Ignaz Schuppanzigh (violin), Josef Linke (cello), and Carl Maria von Bocklet (piano);

  • 1830 - Donizetti: opera, "Anna Bolena," at the Teatro Carcano, Milan;

  • 1831 - Bellini: opera, "Norma," in Milan the Teatro alla Scala;

  • 1833 - Donizetti: opera "Lucretia Borgia," in Milan;

  • 1867 - Bizet: "La jolie fille de Perth," at the Théatre-Lyrique in Paris;

  • 1880 - Brahms: "Tragic Overture," Op. 81, in Vienna;

  • 1897 - Rimsky-Korsakov: "Sadko," in Moscow (Gregorian date: Jan. 7);

  • 1926 - Sibelius: tone-poem "Tapiola" by the New York Symphony, Walter Damrosch conducting;

  • 1931 - Gershwin: musical "Of Thee I Sing," at the Music Box Theater in New York City; This show includes the classic Gershwin songs "Love is Sweeping the Country," "Of Thee I Sing," and "Who Cares?" (see also Dec. 8 for Boston trial run premiere);

  • 1941 - Robert Russell Bennett: Violin Concerto, on an NBC Symphony broadcast;

Others

  • 1936 - First concert of the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in Tel Aviv, with Arturo Toscanini conducting;

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Brahms in New York

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Serenade No. 2; Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor; Telarc 80522

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Shapero goes classical

Harold Shapero (1920-2013): Symphony for Classical Orchestra; Los Angeles Philharmonic; André Previn, conductor; New World 373

2:00
YourClassical

Donald Shirley

Donald Shirley (1927-2013): ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’; Donald Shirley, piano; Cadence CLP-1009

2:00
YourClassical

John Tavener

John Tavener (1944-2013): ‘Ikon of Eros’; Jorja Fleezanis, violin; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, conductor; Reference Recording 102

2:00
YourClassical

Kathryn Bostic

Kathryn Bostic: Main Title, from ‘Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am’; Lakeshore Records 35495 (original soundtrack album)

2:00
YourClassical

Harris's '1933' in 1934

Roy Harris (1898-1979): Symphony No. 1 (1933); Louisville Orchestra; Jorge Mester, conductor; Albany 012

2:00
YourClassical

Strauss raw and cooked

Richard Strauss (1864-1949): ‘Elektra’; Alessandra Marc, soprano; Vienna Philharmonic; Giuseppe Sinopoli, conductor; DG 453 429 Richard Strauss: ‘Der Rosenkavalier’; Waltz Suite Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor; Sony 60989

2:00
YourClassical

Stravinsky (and Newman) at the movies

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Symphony in Three Movements; Berlin Philharmonic; Pierre Boulez, conductor; DG 457 616 Alfred Newman (1901-1970): ‘Song of Bernadette’; National Philharmonic; Charles Gerhardt, conductor; RCA 184

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

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.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00