Morton Gould
Morton Gould (1913-1996): ‘Spirituals for Strings’; London Philharmonic; Kenneth Klein, conductor; EMI 49462
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Dec. 10, 2025
2:00
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A sequel by Berlioz
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869): ‘Fantasy on Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’’ from ‘Lelio London Symphony’; Pierre Boulez, conductor; Sony 64103
2:00
Beethoven and Kernis in a somber mood
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 7; Vienna Philharmonic; Carlos Kleiber, conductor; DG 447 400 Aaron Jay Kernis (b. 1960): ‘Meditation (in memory of John Lennon)’; Eberli Ensemble; Phoenix 142
2:00
The New York Phil and Pearl Harbor
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Symphony No. 1; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 88697683652
Brubeck's birthday
Dave Brubeck (1920-2012): ‘Blue Rondo a la Turk’; The Dave Brubeck Quartet; Columbia 40585 Dave Brubeck: ‘La Fiesta del Posada’; Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; Dennis Russell Davies, conductor; Columbia Legacy 64669
2:00
Janáček's 'Glagolitic'
Leos Janácek (1854-1928): ‘Glagolitic Mass’; Bavarian Radio Chorus and Orchestra; Rafael Kubelik, conductor; DG 429182
2:00
Tchaikovsky and North endure unkind cuts
Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): Violin Concerto; Itzhak Perlman, violin; London Symphony; Alfred Wallenstein, conductor; Chesky 12 Alex North (1910-1991): Unused “Opening Theme” for “2001: A Space Odyssey”; National Philharmonic; Jerry Goldsmith, conductor; Varese Sarabande 66225
2:00
Jazz Age music by Gershwin and Harbison
John Harbison (b. 1938): Remembering Gatsby Baltimore Symphony; David Zinman, conductor; Argo 444 454 George Gershwin (1898-1937): Piano Concerto; Peter Jablonski, piano; Royal Philharmonic; Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor; London 430 542
Bartok in Minneapolis
Béla Bartók (1881-1945): Viola Concerto (completed by Tibor Serly); Hong-Mei Xiao, viola; Budapest Philharmonic; Janos Kovacs, conductor; Naxos 8.554183
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.