Poster John Birge
John Birge
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Composers Datebook®

Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge

Composers Datebook - Sept. 19, 2026

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Vaughan Williams at Westminster

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958): “O Taste and See” and “All People that on Earth do Dwell” (arr. of “Old 100th”); The Cambridge Singers; John Rutter, conductor; Collegium 107 Ralph Vaughan Williams (arr.): “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” (Old 100th) Christ Church Cathedral Choir; English Orchestra; Stephen Darlington, conductor; Nimbus 5166

2:00
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YourClassical

Elgar's Fifth

Edward Elgar (1857-1934): ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ March No. 5; Royal Philharmonic; André Previn, conductor; Philips 454 250

2:00
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Sierra's 'La Salsa'

Roberto Sierra (b. 1953): Sinfonia No. 3 (‘La Salsa’); Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Andreas Delfs, conductor; MSO Classics MSO11 (digital download)

2:00
YourClassical

Shostakovich on Broadway?

Vincent Youmans (1898-1946): ‘No, No Nanette’ Overture; Broadway cast album; Columbia 30563

2:00
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Gisela Hernández

Gisela Hernández (1912-1971): Cubanas for Piano: No. 3, ‘Guajira’; Juana Zayas, piano; Music & Arts MACD-1069

2:00
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Tan Dun and Beethoven – in (and out) of China

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 5; Royal Philharmonic; René Leibowitz, conductor; Chesky 17 Tan Dun (b. 1957): ‘Out of Peking’ Opera; Cho-Liang Lin, violin; Helsinki Philharmonic; Muhai Tang, conductor; Ondine 864

2:00
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Copland counts to 12

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘Inscape’; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 47236

2:00
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A serenata by Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741): Aria (‘Alle Armene, Franche Arene’) from ‘La Gloria e Imeneo’; RV 687; Teresa Iervolino, mezzo-soprano; Abchordis Ensemble, Andrea Buccarella, conductor; Vivaldi Edition CD OP-8877 (Vol. 73)

2:00
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Dvorak's 'Luzany' Mass

Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904): Mass in D; Christ Church Cathedral Choir; Nicholas Cleobury; Simon Preston, conductor; London/Decca 448 089-2

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.

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