Ned Rorem for eleven
Ned Rorem (1923-2022): ‘Eleven Studies for Eleven Players’; New York Chamber Ensemble; Stephen Rogers Radcliffe, conductor; Albany 175
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - May 17, 2025
2:00
Smetana and the National Theatre in Prague
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884): Act I Prelude and opening chorus, from ‘Dalibor’; Prague National Theatre Orchestra and Chorus; Zdenek Kosler, conductor; Supraphon SU0077-2 632
2:00
Jerod Tate's 'Children's Songs'
Jerod Tate (b. 1968): ‘Taloowa Chipota’ (‘Children’s Songs’); Minnesota Boy Choir; Hal Leonard 00119300 (sheet music)
2:00
Sousa's 'Stars and Stripes Forever!' march
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932): ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’; Royal Artillery Band; Keith Brion, conductor; Naxos 8.559093
2:00
New York 'novelties' by Liszt et. al.
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) arr. Franz Liszt (1811-1896): ‘Wanderer Fantasy’; Leslie Howard, piano; Budapest Symphony; Karl Anton Rickenbacher, conductor; Hyperion 67403
2:00
Gabriel Kahane
Gabriel Kahane (b. 1981): ‘What brings you here?’ from ‘Emergency Shelter Intake Form’; Alicia Hall Moran, mezzo-soprano; Oregon Symphony; Carlos Kalmar, conductor; Digital download
2:00
Maazel's 'Ring without Words'
Richard Wagner (1813-1883) arr. Lorin Maazel (1930-2014): ‘Ring without Words’; Berlin Philharmonic; Lorin Maazel, conductor; Telarc 80154
2:00
Maxwell Davies at a wedding (with sunrise)
Peter Maxwell Davies (1934-2016): ‘An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise’; George MacIlwham, bagpipes; Royal Philharmonic; Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, conductor; Collins 1444
2:00
Alexis Alrich's Marimba Concerto
Alexis Alrich (b. 1955): Marimba Concerto; Evelyn Glennie, marimba; City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong; Jean Thorel, conductor; Naxos 8.574218
2:00
Beethoven's Second on first?
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 2; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 61835
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.