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

play
  • Episodes
  • About

Episodes

YourClassical
Glass Philip Glass Philip Glass

Philip Glass (b. 1937) Symphony No. 3 Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra; Dennis Russell Davies, conductor. Nonesuch 79581

Composers Datebook
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox

Sign up for the free Composers Datebook newsletter now — every day in your inbox!

YourClassical
Shapero goes classical

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

YourClassical
Donald Shirley

Today marks the birthday of the American pianist and composer Donald Shirley, who was born in Pensacola, Florida, in 1927, to Jamaican immigrant parents: a mother who was a teacher and a father an Episcopalian priest. Young Donald was a musical prodigy who made his debut with the Boston Pops at age 18, performing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.

YourClassical
Sir John Tavener

Sir John Tavener (1944-2013) Ikon of Eros Jorja Fleezanis, vn; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, conductor. Reference Recording 102

YourClassical
Kathryn Bostic

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

YourClassical
Harris's "1933" in 1934

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

YourClassical
Strauss raw and cooked

Richard Strauss (1864 –1949) Elektra Alessandra Marc, sop.;Vienna Philharmonic; Giuseppe Sinopoli, conductor. DG 453 429 Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Waltz Suite Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor. Sony 60989

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

YourClassical
Field the Claveciniste

John Field (1782-1837) Nocturne No. 2 in C Minor John O'Conor Telarc 80199

About

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.