The buzz about Part
Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) If Bach had Raised Bees Philharmonia Orchestra; Neeme Järvi, cond. Chandos 9134
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Hovhaness reaches No. 65
Alan Hovhaness (1911 – 2000) Symphony No. 2 (Mysterious Mountain) Chicago Symphony; Fritz Reiner, cond. RCA 61957
The New York Philharmonic on the air
Wolfgang Mozart (1756 – 1791) Symphony No. 39 New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, cond. Sony 60973 Roy Harris (1898 – 1979) Symphony No. 3 New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, cond. Sony 60594
Korngold makes a Snowman
Erich Wolfgang von Korngold (1897 – 1957) The Snowman Northwest German Philharmonic; Werner Andreas Albert, cond. CPO 999 037 Erich Wolfgang von Korngold (1897 – 1957) Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35 Chantal Juillet, violin; Berlin Radio Symphony; John Mauceri, cond. London 452 481
Copland's "Duo"
Aaron Copland (1900 – 1990) Duo Jennifer Stinton, flute; Malcolm Martineau, piano Collins 1385
Laurel and Hardy and Leroy Shield
Leroy Shield (1893 – 1962) Good Old Days and Hide and Go Seek Beau Hunks Orchestra Koch 8702
Curtis celebrates with a Higdon commission
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) Blue Cathedral Atlanta Symphony; Robert Spano, cond. Telarc 80596
Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers"
Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875) Prelude, fr The Pearl Fishers Mexico City Philharmonic; Enrique Batiz, cond. ASV 6133 Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875) "Au fond du temple saint," fr The Pearl Fishers Placido Domingo, tenor; Sherrill Milnes, baritone; London Symphony; Anton Guadagno, BMG 62699
Torke's "Overnight Mail"
Michael Torke (b. 1961) Overnight Mail Orkest de Volharding; Jurjen Hempel, cond. Argo 455 684
Vivian Fine
Vivian Fine (1913 – 2000) Concertante Reiko Honsho, piano; Japan Philharmonic; Akeo Watanabe, cond. CRI 692
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.