Pleyel and Poulenc
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963): ‘Concert Champêtre’ (‘Pastoral Concerto’); Aimée Van de Wiele, harpsichord; Paris Conservatory Orchestra; Georges Prêtre, condcutor; EMI Classics 69446 or 95584

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

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963): ‘Concert Champêtre’ (‘Pastoral Concerto’); Aimée Van de Wiele, harpsichord; Paris Conservatory Orchestra; Georges Prêtre, condcutor; EMI Classics 69446 or 95584

Henry Purcell (1659-1695): ‘The Fairy Queen’; Le Concert des Nations; Jordi Savall, conductor; Auvidis 8583

Leo Sowerby (1895-1968): ‘Classic Concerto’; David Mulbury, organ; Fairfield Orchestra; John Welsh, conductor; Naxos 8.559028

Claude Debussy (1862-1918): ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’; Cleveland Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, conductor; Cleveland 9375

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974): ‘The River Suite’; Detroit Symphony; Neeme Järvi, conductor; Chandos 9154

David Diamond (1915-2005): Symphony No. 5; Juilliard Orchestra, Christopher Keene, conductor; New World 80396

George Frederic Handel (1685-1759): ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; Argo 414596

Charles Ives (1874-1954): Symphony No. 4; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; DG 4839505 José Serebrier (b. 1938): Symphony No. 2 (‘Partita’) London Philharmonic; José Serebrier, conductor; Reference 90

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924): ‘Nessun dorma,’ from ‘Turandot’; Academy of St Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; EMI 49552

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): ‘Ländler,’ from ‘The Seasons’; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; Philips 438715
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.