Synopsis
Music Played in Today's Program
Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934) Enigma Variations. Op. 36 Philharmonia Orchestra; Andrew Davis, cond. Sony/CBS 44788
Benjamin Britten (1913- 1976) Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10 English Chamber Orchestra; Benjamin Britten, cond. London 417 509
On This Day
Births
1717 - Baptismal date of Bohemian violinist and composer Johann Wenzel Anton Stamitz, in Nemecký Brod (Deutsch-Brod, now Havlíckuv Brod);
1842 - Austrian operetta composer Carl Zeller, in St. Peter in der Au;
1854 - Italian opera composer Alfredo Catalani, in Lucca;
Deaths
1915 - Russian composer Sergei Taneyev, age 58, in Dyud'kovo, near Zvenigorod (Julian date: June 6);
Premieres
1899 - Elgar: "Enigma Variations," in London, Queen's Hall, Hallé Orchestra conducted by Hans Richter;
1915 - Saint-Saëns: choral work, "Hail California," in San Francisco, composer conducting;
1926 - Antheil: "Ballet Mécanique," in Paris;
1984 - Bernstein: opera "A Quiet Place" (revised version), by La Scala Opera, John Mauceri conducting; The first version of this opera premiered at Houston Grand Opera on June 17, 1983, conducted by John DeMain.
Others
1869 - final concert of a five-day "Great National Peace Jubilee" involving an orchestra of 1000 and a chorus of 10,000 organized by bandmaster Patrick Gilmore performing in a specially-constructed hall in Boston’s Back Bay;
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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.
