Poster John Birge
John Birge
YourClassical MPR

Composers Datebook®

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

Composers Datebook - Nov. 24, 2024

YourClassical

Diamond's 'Rounds'

David Diamond (1915-2005): ‘Rounds’; Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; Gerard Schwarz, conductor; Nonesuch 79002

2:00
YourClassical

Short (but tough) Copland

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): Symphony No. 2 (‘Short Symphony’); San Francisco Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; BMG 68541

1:59
YourClassical

Music for St. Cecilia's Day

Henry Purcell (1659-1695): ‘Hail Bright Cecilia!’; Gabrieli Consort; Paul McCreesh; Archiv 445 882 George Frederic Handel (1685-1759): ‘Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day’; English Concert; Trevor Pinnock, conductor; Archiv 419 220 Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): ‘Hymn to St. Cecilia’; London Sinfonietta Voices; Virgin 90728

2:00
YourClassical

Harbison's 'Flight into Egypt'

John Harbison (b. 1938): ‘Flight into Egypt’; Cantata Singers and Ensemble; David Hoose, conductor; New World 80395

2:00
YourClassical

Meredith Monk

Meredith Monk (b. 1942): ‘Atlas’; Meredith Monk Ensemble; Wayne Hankin, conductor; ECM 1491

2:00
YourClassical

Gershwin's last film score

George Gershwin (1898-1937): ‘Damsel in Distress Suite’ (‘An American in London’); (Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; John Mauceri, conductor; Philips 434 274

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Hoover for flute and guitar

Katherine Hoover (1937-2018): ‘Canyon Echoes (Duologue)’; Susan Morris De Jong, flute; Jeffrey Van, guitar; Gasparo 336

2:00
YourClassical

The Philadelphia Sound

Richard Wagner (1813-1883): ‘Act I Prelude,’ from ‘Die Meistersinger’; Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor; CBS 38914 Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943): ‘Symphonic Dances’; Philadelphia Orchestra; Charles Dutoit, conductor; London 433 181

2:00
YourClassical

Herschel looks up

William Herschel (1738-1822): Oboe Concerto; Richard Woodhams, oboe; The Mozart Orchestra; Davis Jerome, conductor; Newport Classic 85612 Gustav Holst (1874-1934): ‘Uranus,’ from ‘The Planets’; Philharmonia Orchestra; Simon Rattle, conductor; EMI 9513

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.