Haydn at Esterhazy
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Symphony No. 48 (‘Maria Theresa’); Polish Chamber Orchestra; Jerzy Maksymiuk, conductor; EMI Classics 69767
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Sept. 2, 2025
2:00
Pachelbel and his 'Canon'
George Rochberg (1918-2005): ‘Variations on Pachelbel’s Canon,’ from String Quartet No. 6; Concord Quartet; New World 80551
2:00
Weill's 'Three-Penny Opera' in Berlin
Kurt Weill (1900-1950): ‘Three Penny Opera’; Suite Canadian Chamber Ensemble; Raffi Armenian, conductor; CBC 5010
2:00
Sousa gets stiffed in Minneapolis
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932): ‘Foshay Tower (Washington Memorial) March’; Great American Main Street Band; Timothy Foley, conductor; EMI/Angel 54130
2:00
John Cage at Woodstock
John Cage (1912-1992): Nos. 5 and 12, from ‘Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano’; Robert Miller, piano; New World 80203
2:00
Liszt and Milhaud celebrate Goethe
Franz Liszt (1811-1886): ‘Tasso’; Orchestre de Paris; Georg Solti, conductor; London 417 513 Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): ‘Aspen Serenade,’ Stuttgart Radio Symphony; Gilbert Varga, conductor; CPO 999114
2:00
Copland does Mexico (and Mexico does Copland)
Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘El Salon Mexico’; New Philharmonia; Aaron Copland, conductor; CBS/Sony 46559
2:00
A Song for Anne-Sophie
Andre Previn (1929-2019): ‘Tango Song and Dance III. Dance’; Lambert Okis, piano; Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin; DG 8143
2:00
Bach's Letter
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): ‘Weichet Nur,’ from ‘Wedding Cantata’ No. 202; Elly Ameling, soprano; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; EMI Classics
2:00
Pomp and the MJQ
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ No. 4; London Philharmonic; Daniel Barenboim, conductor; Sony Classical 60789 Milt Jackson (1923-1999): ‘Blues in C’; Modern Jazz Quartet; Atlantic 1652
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.