William Schuman writes a 'Symphony for Strings'
William Schuman (1910-1992): Symphony No. 5 (‘Symphony for Strings’); I Musici de Montreal; Yuli Turovsky, conductor; Chandos 9848
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Nov. 12, 2025
2:00
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Hannibal Lokumbe's 'African Portraits'
Hannibal Lokumbe (b. 1948): ‘African Portar’; Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Daniel Barenboim; Teldec 81792
2:00
A cold welcome for Verdi?
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): ‘Overture and Act II excerpt’ from ‘La Forza del Destino’; John Alldis Choir; London Symphony; James Levine, conductor; RCA/BMG 39502
2:00
Joaquin Rodrigo's popular concierto
Joaquin Rodrigo (1902-1999): ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’; Manuel Barrueco, guitar; Philharmonic Orchestra; Placido Domingo, conductor; EMI 56175
2:00
Musical tales from Stravinsky and Marsalis
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘L’histoire du Soldat Suite’; Philharmonia Orchestra; Robert Craft, conductor; Koch 7504 Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961): ‘The Fiddler’s Tale’; Wynton Marsalis, trumpet; Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Sony 60979
2:00
'Starry Night' variations by McLean and Dutilleux
Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013): ‘Timbres, Espace, Mouvement’; BBC Philharmonic; Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor; Chandos 9504
2:00
Mr. Sax's instrument and Ms. Perry's Quartet
Anita D. Perry (b. 1960): ‘Quartet for Saxophones’; Amherst Saxophone Quartet; innova 516
2:00
Barber offers two for the price of one
Samuel Barber (1910-1981): ‘First Essay for Orchestra’; Detroit Symphony; Neeme Järvi, conductor; Chandos 9053 Samuel Barber (1910-1981): ‘Adagio for Strings’; Berlin Philharmonic; Semyon Bychkov, conductor; Philips 434 108
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A second wind for Reicha and Ward-Steinman?
Antonin Reicha (1770-1836): Wind Quintet No. 23; Albert Schweitzer Quintet; CPO 999027 David Ward-Steinman (1936-2015): Woodwind Quintet No. 2 (‘Night Winds’); Arioso Quintet; Fleur de Son Classics 57935
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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.