Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
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.
Sir John Tavener (1944-2013) Ikon of Eros Jorja Fleezanis, vn; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, cond. Reference Recording 102
Giuseppe Verdi (1813 –1901) La Battaglia di Legnano ORF Symphony; Lamberto Gardelli, cond. Philips 422 435
Roy Harris (1898 – 1979) Symphony 1933 (No. 1) Louisville Orchestra; Jorge Mester, cond Albany 012
Richard Strauss (1864 –1949) Elektra Alessandra Marc, sop.;Vienna Philharmonic; Giuseppe Sinopoli, cond. DG 453 429 Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Waltz Suite Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, cond. Sony 60989
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) Symphony in Three Movements Berlin Philharmonic; Pierre Boulez, cond. DG 457 616 Alfred Newman (1901-1970) Song of Bernadette National Philharmonic; Charles Gerhardt, cond. RCA 184
John Field (1782-1837) Nocturne No. 2 in C Minor John O'Conor Telarc 80199
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) 2-Part Invention #6 in E, BWV 777 Simone Dinnerstein Sony 79597
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15 - I. Maestoso - Poco più moderato Maurizio Pollini, piano; Berlin Philharmonic; Claudio Abbado, cond. DG 447041
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Gloria Tanglewood Festival Chorus; Boston Symphony Orchestra; Seiji Owaza, cond. DG 427304
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.
