The birth of 'Les Six'
Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983): Violin Sonata No. 1; Renate Eggebrecht, violin; Angela Gassenhuber, piano; Troubadisc 1406
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Jan. 16, 2025
2:00
A Messiaen premiere in a German prisoner of war camp
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992): ‘Quartet for the End of Time’; Tashi; RCA/BMG 7835
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Harp concertos by Villa-Lobos and Rautavaara
Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959): Harp Concerto; Catherine Michel, harp; Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra; Antonio de Almeida, conductor; Philips 462 179 Einojuhani Rautavaraa (1928-2016): Harp Concerto; Marielle Nordmann, harp; Helsinki Philharmonic; Leif Segerstam, conductor; Ondine 978
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Prokofiev takes the Fifth in Moscow
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953): Symphony No. 5; St. Petersburg Philharmonic; Yuri Temirkanov, conductor; RCA/BMG 60984
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Dahl's 'Sinfonietta'
Ingolf Dahl (1912-1970): ‘Sinfonietta’; DePaul University Wind Ensemble; Donald DeRoche, conductor; Albany 435
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A John Adams Christmas oratorio
John Adams (b. 1947): excerpts from ‘El Niño’; soloists; Kent Nagano, conductor; Nonesuch 79634
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The singular Mr. Berwald
Franz Berwald (1796-1868): Symphony No. 3 (‘Singulière’); Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra; Okko Kamu, conductor; Naxos 8.553052
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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
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A fateful anniversary for Lully
Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687): ‘Galliarde’ from ‘Trios pour le Coucher du Roi’; Chicago Baroque Ensemble; Cedille 043
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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
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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.