Harbison's 'Olympic Dances'
John Harbison (b. 1938): ‘Olympic Dances’; New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble; Dr. Frank Battisti, conductor; Albany 340
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Feb. 20, 2026
2:00
Smyth the Prisoner
Ethel Smyth (1858-1944): ‘The Prison’; Dashon Burton, bass-baritone; Experimental Orchestra and Chorus; James Blachly, conductor; Chandos 5279
2:00
Music by and about telephones
Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007): Excerpt from ‘The Telephone’; New York Chamber Ensemble; Stephen Rogers Radcliffe, conductor; Albany 173
2:00
The Night the Lights Went Out on Elliott Carter
Elliott Carter (1908-2012): ‘Partita’; Chicago Symphony; Daniel Barenboim, conductor (live recording); Teldec CD 81792
2:00
A Romance for Bassoon
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra; Graham Salvage, bassoon; Halle Orchestra; Mark Elder, conductor; Halle Elgar Edition HLL-7505
2:00
A belated Elgar premiere
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Symphony No. 3 (elaborated by Anthony Payne); BBC Symphony; Andrew Davis, conductor; NMC 053
2:00
Orff's 'Trionfo di Aphrodite'
Carl Orff (1985-1982): ‘Trionfo di Aphrodite’
2:00
Elsa Barraine
Elsa Barraine (1910-1999): ‘Crépuscules’; Lin Foulk Baird, French Horn; Martha Fischer, piano; Centaur CRC-3857
2:00
The Brothers Johnson write an anthem
J.W. (1871-1938) and J.R. (1873-1954) Johnson: ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’; Choirs and Boston Pops Orchestra; Keith Lockhart, conductor; BMG/RCA 63888
2:00
'Music for Two Big Instruments'
Alex Shapiro (b. 1962): ‘Music for Two Big Instruments’; Alan Baer, tuba; Bradley Haag, piano; innova 683
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.