Stravinsky meets Debussy
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘The Firebird Ballet’; Russian National Orchestra; Mikhail Pletnev, conductor; DG 453 434
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - June 25, 2024
2:00
Havergal Brian writes one for the record books
Havergal Brian (1876-1972): Symphony No. 1 (‘Gothic’); Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Ondrej Lenard, conductor; Marco Polo 223280
2:00
William Grant Still's rain-delayed premiere
William Grant Still (1895-1978): ‘And They Lynched Him on a Tree’; Plymouth Music Series Singers; Leigh Morris Chorale; Philip Brunelle, conductor; Collins Classics 14542
2:00
Roy Whelden's new music for an old instrument
Roy Whelden (b. 1950): Prelude and Divisions on ‘She’s So Heavy’; Roy Whelden, viola da gamba; New Albion 59
2:00
Sean Hickey's Cello Concerto
Sean Hickey (b. 1970): Cello Concerto; Dmitry Kouzov, cello; St. Petersburg State Symphony; Vladimir Lande, conductor; Delos 3448
2:00
The 'Cockaigne' Overture
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): ‘Cockaigne Overture’; BBC Symphony; Edward Elgar, conductor; 1933 ‘accidental stereo’; Naxos 8.111022
2:00
An Antheil premiere (or two)
George Antheil (1900-1959): ‘Ballet Mecanique’; Ensemble Modern; H.K. Gruber, conductor; RCA 68066
2:00
Paul Fetler's 'Capriccio'
Paul Fetler (1920-2018): ‘Capriccio’; Ann Arbor Symphony; Arie Lipsky, conductor; Naxos 8.559606
2:00
Bach is back
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Harpsichord Concerto No. 4; Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichord; Leonhardt Consort; Telefunken 97452
2:00
Francis Johnson
Francis B. Johnson (1792-1844): ‘The Philadelphia Gray’s Quickstep’; Symphony Orchestra of America; Matthew Phillips, conductor; Albany TROY-103
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.