Composers Datebook®

Scandalous Gershwin?

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

George Gershwin (1898 - 1937) Scandal Walk, from Scandals of 1920 George Gershwin, piano roll Nonesuch 79287

On This Day

Births

  • 1722 - Bohemian composer Georg Anton (Jirí Antonín) Benda, in Alt-Benatek, Bohemia;

  • 1861 - Russian composer Anton Arensky, in Novgorod (Gregorian date: July 12);

  • 1892 - Hungarian composer Laszlo Lajtha, in Budapest;

  • 1958 - Finnish composer and conductor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, in Helsinki;

Deaths

  • 1987 - Spanish composer Federico Mompou, age 94, in Barcelona;

Premieres

  • 1924 - Gershwin: musical revue, "George White's Scandals of 1924," at the Apollo Theater in New York City; This show includes the classic Gershwin song "Somebody Loves Me" (lyrics by B.G. De Sylva and Ballard MacDonald).

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

Waggoner's Second

Andrew Waggoner (b. 1960): Symphony No. 2; Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic; Petr Pololanik, conductor; CRI 884

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Disney's 'Fantasia'

Bach, Tchaikovsky, Dukas, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli, Mussorgsky and Schubert: excerpts from ‘Fantasia’ soundtrack; Philadelphia Orchestra; Leopold Stokowski, conductor; Buena Vista 600072

2:00
YourClassical

Crumb goes Macro

George Crumb (1929-2022): ‘Makrokosmos No. 2’ (Laurie Hudicek, piano) Furious Artisans 6805

2:00
YourClassical

Bloch's Quintet

Ernest Bloch (1880-1959): Piano Quintet No. 1; Portland String Quartet; Paul Posnak, piano; Arabesque 6618

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Corigliano tunes up

John Corigliano (b. 1938): Oboe Concerto; Humbert Lucarelli, oboe; American Symphony; Kazuyoshi Akiyama, conductor; RCA/BMG 60395

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Stravinsky in C Major

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Symphony in C; Chicago Symphony; Georg Solti, conductor; London 458 898

2:00
YourClassical

Beethoven and Brusa take it slow

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 7; Berlin Philharmonic; Claudio Abbado, conductor; DG 471 490 Elisabetta Brusa (b. 1954): ‘Adagio’; Ukraine National Symphony; Fabio Mastrangelo, conductor; Naxos 8.555267

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®