Beethoven's Second on first?
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 2; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 61835
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - May 8, 2025
2:00
Thomson's 'Mother of Us All'
Virgil Thomson (1896-1989): ‘The Mother of Us All’; Santa Fe Opera; Raymond Leppard, conductor; New World 288
2:00
Larsen's 'Lyric' Third
Libby Larsen (b. 1950): Symphony No. 3 (‘Lyric’) London Symphony; Joel Revzen, conductor; Koch 7370
2:00
Debussy's Violin Sonata
Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Violin Sonata; Midori, violin; Robert McDonald, piano; Sony 89699
2:00
Dvorak salutes the flag
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904): ‘The American Flag’; soloists; choirs; Berlin Radio Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; CBS/Sony 60297
2:00
Moog moods by Carlos and Voegeli
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) arr. Carlos: Fugue No. 7, from ‘WTC Book 1’;l Wendy Carlos, Moog synthesizer; Sony 7194 Don Voegeli (1920-2009): ‘All Things Considered’ theme (1974 version); Don Voegeli, Moog synthesizer NPR recording
2:00
George Walker's 'Wind Set'
George Walker (1922-2018): ‘Wind Set’; Peggy Schecter, flute; Richard Foley, oboe; William Shadel, clarinet; Leonard Hindell, bassoon; Jerome Ashby, french horn; Summit 274
2:00
Graupner (and Haydn) in Boston
Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1808): Symphony No. 100 (‘Military’); London Classical Players; Roger Norrington, conductor; EMI 55192
2:00
Del Tredici's 'In Wartime'
David Del Tredici (1937-2023): ‘In Wartime’; University of Texas Wind Ensemble; Jerry Junkin, conductor; Reference Recording 104
2:00
Herbert's earthquake benefit
Victor Herbert (1859-1924): Cello Concerto No. 1; Lynn Harrell, cello; St. Martin’s Academy; Sir Neville Marriner, conductor; London 417 672
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.