A John Adams Christmas oratorio
John Adams (b. 1947): excerpts from ‘El Niño’; soloists; Kent Nagano, conductor; Nonesuch 79634
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Jan. 11, 2025
2:00
The singular Mr. Berwald
Franz Berwald (1796-1868): Symphony No. 3 (‘Singulière’); Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra; Okko Kamu, conductor; Naxos 8.553052
2:00
Opposite-coast bouquets and brickbats for Weill and Sessions
Roger Sessions (1896-1985): Symphony No. 2; San Francisco Symphony; Herbert Blomstedt, conductor; London 443 376 Kurt Weill (1900-1950): ‘Act 1 Intro’ from ‘Street Scene’; Scottish Opera Orchestra; John Mauceri, conductor; London 433 371
2:00
A fateful anniversary for Lully
Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687): ‘Galliarde’ from ‘Trios pour le Coucher du Roi’; Chicago Baroque Ensemble; Cedille 043
2:00
Pop music by Rimsky-Korsakov and Michael Daugherty
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908): ‘Song of India’ from ‘Sadko’ (arr Kreisler); Gil Shaham, violin; Akira Eguchi, piano; DG 447 640 Michael Daugherty (b. 1954): ‘Candelabra Rhumba’ from ‘Le Tombeau de Liberace’; Paul Crossley, piano; London Sinfonietta; Markus Stenz, conductor; Argo 458 145
2:00
Bach at Starbucks?
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Harpsichord Concerto; Gustav Leonhardt, Herbert Tachezi, harpsichord; Leonhardt Consort; Teldec 35778 ‘Coffee Cantata’; Christine Schaefer, soprano; Stuttgart Bach-Collegium; Helmuth Rilling, conductor; Hanssler 98.161
2:00
Milhaud at West Point
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): West Point Suite; Liszt Academy Symphonic Band; Laszlo Marosi, conductor; Hungaroton 32066
2:00
Danielpour's hometown tribute
Richard Danielpour (b. 1956): ‘Toward the Splendid City’; Philharmonia Orchestra; Zdenek Macal, conductor; Sony 60779
2:00
The productive Mr. Donizetti and Mr. Williams
Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848): ‘Don Pasquale Overture’; Philharmonia Orchestra; Riccardo Muti, condcutor; EMI 54490 John Williams (b. 1932): ‘Devil’s Dance’, from ‘Witches of Eastwick’; Boston Pops; John Williams, conductor; Philips 422 385
2:00
Wagner's 'shaggy dog' story
Richard Wagner (1813-1883): ‘The Flying Dutchman Overture’; Berlin State Orchestra; Daniel Barenboim, conductor; Teldec 88063
2:00
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.