Holst (and Colin Matthews) in outer space
Gustav Holst (1874-1934): ‘The Planets’; Montréal Symphony; Charles Dutoit, conductor; London 460 606 Colin Matthews (b. 1946): ‘Pluto’; Hallé Orchestra; Mark Elder, condictor; Hyperion 67270
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Sept. 29, 2025
2:00
Bielawa's 'Chance Encounter'
Lisa Bielawa (b. 1968): ‘Chance Encounter’; Susan Narucki, soprano; The Knights (Orange Mountain Music 7004)
2:00
In Memoriam: Schubert and Oldham
Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Piano Sonata No. 21; Alfred Brendel, piano (Philips 456 573) Kevin Oldham (1960-1993): Concerto for Piano; Ian Hobson, piano; Kansas City Symphony; Bill McGlaughlin, conductor (BMG/Catalyst 61979)
2:00
Weill's 'September Song'
Kurt Weill (1900-1950): ‘September Song’ (arr. Morton Gould); Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; John Mauceri, conductor; (Philips 446 404)
2:00
Shostakovich's 60th
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Symphony No. 1; St. Petersburg Philharmonic; Yuri Temikanov, conductor (BMG 68844) Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Cello Concerto No. 2; Msistislav Rostropovich, cello; Boston Symphony; Seiji Ozawa, conductor (DG 437 952)
2:00
Pendercki's Symphony No. 6
Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020): Symphony No. 6 (‘Chinese Poems’); Stephan Genz, baritone; Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Sopot; Wojciech Rajski, conductor; Accord ACD-270
2:00
A Mass in time of terror?
Franz Joseph Haydn: ‘Missa in Angustiis’ (‘Lord Nelson Mass’)
2:00
Higdon welcomes Autumn
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962): ‘Autumn Music’; Moran Woodwind Quintet; Crystal 754
2:00
Of froth and Friml
Rudolf Friml (1879-1972): ‘Song of the Vagabonds’ from ‘The Vagabond King’; Eastman-Dryden Orchestra: Donald Hunsberger, conductor; Arabesque 6562 Rudolf Friml (1879-1972): ‘Chanson ‘In Love’’; New London Orchestra; Ronald Corp, conductor; Hyperion 67067
2:00
Sibelius passes
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): ‘Alla Marcia’ from ‘Karelia Suite’; Finnish Radio Symphony; Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor; (RCA 7765)
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.