'To be Certain of the Dawn' by Stephen Paulus
Stephen Paulus (1949-2014): ‘To Be Certain of the Dawn’; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Boychoir; Basilica Cathedral Choir and Choristers; Minnesota Orchestra; Osmo Vänskä, conductor; Bis CD-1726
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Nov. 17, 2025
2:00
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Gluck sings the blues
Christoph Willibald von Gluck (1714-1787): ‘Act Two Aria’ from ‘Armide’; Rockwell Blake, tenor; Monte Carlo Philharmonic; Patrick Fournillier, conductor; EMI 55058 Christoph Willibald von Gluck (1714-1787): ‘Don Juan Ballet Music’; Rhine Chamber Orchestra of Cologne; Jan Corazolla, conductor; Christophorus 74507
2:00
Kern's 'Show Boat' is launched in D.C.
Jerome Kern (1885-1945): Selections from ‘Show Boat’; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic; Carl Davis, conductor; EMI 4573
2:00
An important date for Copland and Bernstein
Aaron Copland (1900-1990): Piano Blues No. 3; James Tocco, piano; MPR 201
2:00
Casals and Copland at the White House
Pablo Casals (1876-1973): ‘Song of the Birds’; Patrick Demenga, cello; Gerard Wyss, piano; Novalis 150117 Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘Billy the Kid Ballet’; Dallas Symphony; Eduardo Mata, conductor; Dorian 90170
2:00
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
2:00
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
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.