Handel's Testament
George Frederic Handel (1685 – 1759) Air, from Water Music St. Martin's Academy; Sir Neville Marriner, cond. EMI 66646

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

George Frederic Handel (1685 – 1759) Air, from Water Music St. Martin's Academy; Sir Neville Marriner, cond. EMI 66646

Billy Strayhorn (1915 - 1967) Take the "A" Train Billy Strayhorn, celeste; Duke Ellington, piano; ensemble Riverside 108

Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976) War Requiem soloists; choirs; BBC Scottish Symphony; Martyn Brabbins, cond. Naxos 8.553558

Percy Grainger (1882 - 1961) Lincolnshire Posy Dallas Wind Symphony;Jerry Junkin, cond. Reference Recording RR-117

György Ligeti (1923 - 2006) Six Bagatelles London Winds Sony 62309 György Ligeti (b. 1923) Atmospheres Berlin Philharmonic; Jonathan Nott, cond. Teldec 88261

Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) Rhythm Stand University of Minnesota Symphonic Band;Craig Kirchoff, cond. Hal Leonard (full score, parts and CD)HL-04002285

Edward Collins (1889 - 1951) Mardi Gras and Tragic Overture Concordia Orchestra; Marin Alsop, cond. Albany 267

Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) Ride of the Valkyries, from Die Walküre New York Philharmonic and NBC Orchestra; Arturo Toscanini, cond. Radio Years 71/72 John Philip Sousa (arr. Toscanini) Stars and Stripes Forever New York Philharmonic and NBC Orchestra; Arturo Toscanini, cond. Radio Years 71/72

Elliot Carter (1908 - 2012) Pocahontas Ballet American Composers Orchestra; Paul Dunkel, cond. CRI 610 Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990) Billy the Kid Ballet St. Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, cond. EMI 73653

Daniel Pinkham (1923 - 2006) Nocturnes Fenwick Smith, flute; David Leisner, guitar Koch 7423
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.