Higdon's 'An Exaltation of Larks'
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962): ‘An Exaltation of Larks’; Lark Quartet; Bridge 9379
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - March 1, 2026
2:00
Nielsen's Symphony No. 3
Carl Nielsen (1865-1931): Symphony No. 3 (‘Sinfonia Espansiva’); New York Philharmonic; Alan Gilbert, conductor; Dacapo 220623
2:00
Timely music by Beethoven and Leroy Anderson
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 8; Berlin Philharmonic; Herbert von Karajan, conductor; DG 429 036 Leroy Anderson (1908-1975): ‘The Syncopated Clock’; St. Louis Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, conductor; BMG/RCA 68048
2:00
Symphonies by Bizet and Harris
Georges Bizet (1823-1892): Symphony No. 1; ORTF Orchestra; Jean Martinon, conductor; DG 437 371 Roy Harris (1899-1979): Symphony No. 5; Louisville Orchestra; Robert Whitney, conductor; Albany 012
2:00
Opening of Royal Albert Hall
W.S. Gilbert (1836-1911) & Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900): ‘A Wand’ring Minstrel I,’ from ‘The Mikado’; D’Oyly Carte Opera Company; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Royston Nash, conductor; London/Decca 425190
2:00
'The Wound Dresser' by John Adams
John Adams (b. 1947): ‘The Wound Dresser’; Sanford Sylvan, baritone; Orchestra of St. Luke’s; John Adams, conductor; Nonesuch 79218
2:00
Julia Perry's Violin Concerto
Julia Perry (1924-1979): Violin Concerto; Curtis J. Stewart, violin; Experiential Orchestra; James Blachly, conductor; Bright Shiny Things 200
2:00
Bernstein conducts Ives
Charles Ives (1874-1954): Symphony No. 2 New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; DG 429 220
2:00
The Theatrophone
Claude Debussy (1862-1918): ‘Pelléas et Mélisande Symphonie Suite’ (arr. Marius Constant); Orchestre National de Lyon; Jun Märkl, conductor; Naxos 8.570993
2:00
Harbison's 'Olympic Dances'
John Harbison (b. 1938): ‘Olympic Dances’; New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble; Dr. Frank Battisti, conductor; Albany 340
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.