Libby Larsen outdoors
Libby Larsen (b. 1950): ‘Deep Summer Music’; Colorado Symphony; Marin Alsop, conductor; Koch 7520

Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge

Libby Larsen (b. 1950): ‘Deep Summer Music’; Colorado Symphony; Marin Alsop, conductor; Koch 7520

Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825-1899): ‘Blue Danube Waltz’; Columbia Symphony; Bruno Walter, conductor; Sony 64467

Franz Schubert (1795-1828): String Quartet No. 15; Emerson String Quartet; DG 459 151

Joan Tower (b. 1938): ‘Island Rhythms’; Louisville Orchestra; Lawrence Leighton Smith, conductor; Louisville 6 Joan Tower (b. 1938): ‘Island Prelude’; Peter Bowman, oboe; Saint Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Nonesuch 79245

Robert Xavier Rodriguez (b. 1946): ‘Frida and Tango Suites’; Voices of Change; Robert Xavier Rodriguez, conductor; CRI 824

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 5 & Symphony No. 9; Vienna Philharmonic; Simon Rattle, conductor; EMI 57445

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007): ‘Helicoptor Quartet’; Arditti Quartet; Discques Montaigne Arditti Edition CD-35

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘The Firebird Ballet’; Russian National Orchestra; Mikhail Pletnev, conductor; DG 453 434

Havergal Brian (1876-1972): Symphony No. 1 (‘Gothic’); Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Ondrej Lenard, conductor; Marco Polo 223280

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
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.