A Purcell premiere?
Henry Purcell (1659-1695): ‘Dido and Aeneas Suite’; Freiburg Baroque Orchestra; Thomas Hengelbrock, conductor; Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77231
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - April 11, 2025
2:00
Skrowaczewski's 'Imaginary Passacaglia'
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (1923-2017): ‘Passacaglia Immaginaria’; Saarbrucken Radio Symphony; Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor; Albany 481
2:00
Festival Music for Vienna, by Strauss
Richard Strauss (1864-1949): ‘Festmusik der Stadt Wien’; Locke Brass Consort; James Stobart, conductor; Chandos 8419
2:00
Larsen's 'Calamity Jane' songs
Libby Larsen (b. 1950): ‘Songs from Letters’; Benita Valente, soprano; Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Joel Revzen, conductor; Koch 7481
2:00
A Passion for Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): ‘St. John Passion’; Collegium Vocale; Philippe Herreweghe, conductor; Harmonia Mundi 90.1748/49
2:00
Salzedo and the Harp
Carlos Salzedo (1885-1961): Scintillation; Carlos Sazledo, harp; Mercury LP MG-80003
2:00
Barber's Cello Concerto
Samuel Barber (1910-1981): Cello Concerto; Yo Yo Ma, cello; Baltimore Symphony; David Zinman, conductor; CBS/Sony 44900
2:00
A Sondheim opening (and closing)
Steven Sondheim (1930-2022): ‘Me and My Town,’ from ‘Anyone can Whistle’; Angela Lansbury; orchestra; Paul Gemignani, conductor; RCA Victor 60515
2:00
Carter's 'Boston Concerto'
Elliott Carter (1908-2012): ‘Boston Concerto’; BBC Symphony; Oliver Knussen, conductor; Bridge 9184
2:00
Beethoven's First
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 1; Concertgebouw Orchestra; Bernard Haitink, conductor; Philips 442 073
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.