A Passion for Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): ‘St. John Passion’; Collegium Vocale; Philippe Herreweghe, conductor; Harmonia Mundi 90.1748/49
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - April 7, 2025
2:00
Salzedo and the Harp
Carlos Salzedo (1885-1961): Scintillation; Carlos Sazledo, harp; Mercury LP MG-80003
2:00
Barber's Cello Concerto
Samuel Barber (1910-1981): Cello Concerto; Yo Yo Ma, cello; Baltimore Symphony; David Zinman, conductor; CBS/Sony 44900
2:00
A Sondheim opening (and closing)
Steven Sondheim (1930-2022): ‘Me and My Town,’ from ‘Anyone can Whistle’; Angela Lansbury; orchestra; Paul Gemignani, conductor; RCA Victor 60515
2:00
Carter's 'Boston Concerto'
Elliott Carter (1908-2012): ‘Boston Concerto’; BBC Symphony; Oliver Knussen, conductor; Bridge 9184
2:00
Beethoven's First
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 1; Concertgebouw Orchestra; Bernard Haitink, conductor; Philips 442 073
2:00
The truth about Alkan
Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888): ‘Bombardo-Carillon’; Caroline Clemmow and Anthony Goldstone, pedal-piano; Symposium 1062
2:00
Dvorak's 'Rusalka'
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904): ‘O Silver Moon,’ from ‘Rusalka’; Renée Fleming, soprano; London Symphony; Sir Georg Solti, conductor; London 455 760
2:00
Symphonies by Strauss
Richard Strauss (1864-1949): Symphony No. 1; Bavarian Radio Symphony; Karl Anton Rickenbacker, conductor; Koch/Schwann 365 322
2:00
Sheng's 'Silent Temple'
Bright Sheng (b. 1955): String Quartet No. 4 (‘Silent Temple’); Shanghai Quartet; BIS 1138
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.