Verdi's 'Otello' premieres
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): ‘Act I Excerpt’ from ‘Otello’; Ambrosian Chorus; New Philharmonia Orchestra; John Barbirolli, conductor; EMI Classics 65296
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Feb. 5, 2026
2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
Sign up for the free Composers Datebook newsletter now — every day in your inbox!
The passing of Iannis Xenakis
Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001): ‘Opening of A Colone’; New London Chamber Choir; Critical Band; James Wood, conductor; Hyperion 66980 Huuem-Duhey; Edna Michell, violin; Michael Kanka, cello Angel 57179
2:00
Kurtag's Tribute
György Kurtág (b. 1926): ‘Omaggio a Luigi Nono’; SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart; Marcus Creed, director; SWR Music; 93.174
2:00
Haydn's 'real' Miracle Symphony
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Symphony No. 96; Concertgebouw Orchestra; Sir Colin Davis, conductor; Philips 442 611
2:00
Brahms in New York
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Serenade No. 2; Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor; Telarc 80522
2:00
Glass Philip Glass Philip Glass
Philip Glass (b. 1937): Symphony No. 3; Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra; Dennis Russell Davies, conductor; Nonesuch 79581
2:00
Shapero goes classical
Harold Shapero (1920-2013): Symphony for Classical Orchestra; Los Angeles Philharmonic; André Previn, conductor; New World 373
2:00
Donald Shirley
Donald Shirley (1927-2013): ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’; Donald Shirley, piano; Cadence CLP-1009
2:00
John Tavener
John Tavener (1944-2013): ‘Ikon of Eros’; Jorja Fleezanis, violin; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, conductor; Reference Recording 102
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.