Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge

Composers Datebook - Sept. 2, 2025

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Haydn at Esterhazy

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Symphony No. 48 (‘Maria Theresa’); Polish Chamber Orchestra; Jerzy Maksymiuk, conductor; EMI Classics 69767

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Pachelbel and his 'Canon'

George Rochberg (1918-2005): ‘Variations on Pachelbel’s Canon,’ from String Quartet No. 6; Concord Quartet; New World 80551

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Sousa gets stiffed in Minneapolis

John Philip Sousa (1854-1932): ‘Foshay Tower (Washington Memorial) March’; Great American Main Street Band; Timothy Foley, conductor; EMI/Angel 54130

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John Cage at Woodstock

John Cage (1912-1992): Nos. 5 and 12, from ‘Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano’; Robert Miller, piano; New World 80203

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Liszt and Milhaud celebrate Goethe

Franz Liszt (1811-1886): ‘Tasso’; Orchestre de Paris; Georg Solti, conductor; London 417 513 Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): ‘Aspen Serenade,’ Stuttgart Radio Symphony; Gilbert Varga, conductor; CPO 999114

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A Song for Anne-Sophie

Andre Previn (1929-2019): ‘Tango Song and Dance III. Dance’; Lambert Okis, piano; Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin; DG 8143

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Bach's Letter

J.S. Bach (1685-1750): ‘Weichet Nur,’ from ‘Wedding Cantata’ No. 202; Elly Ameling, soprano; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; EMI Classics

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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.

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