Robert Ward panned and prized
Robert Ward (1917-2013): ‘The Crucible’; New York City Opera; Emerson Buckley, conductor; Albany 25/26
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Oct. 26, 2026
2:00
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Corigliano's 'Poem in October'
John Corigliano (b. 1938): ‘Poem in October’; Robert White, tenor; Thomas Nyfenger, flute; Humbert Lucarelli, oboe; Joseph Rabbai, clarinet; American String Quartet; Maurice Peress, conductor and harpsichord; RCA 60395
2:00
Cindy McTee's Symphony No. 1
Cindy McTee (b. 1953): Symphony No. 1 (‘Ballet for Orchestra’); Detroit Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Naxos 8.559765
2:00
Schneider's 'Carlos Drummond de Andrade Stories'
Maria Schneider (b. 1960): ‘Carlos Drummond de Andrade Stories’; Dawn Upshaw, soprano; St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Maria Schneider, conductor; ArtistShare AS-0121
2:00
Adams at the opera
John Adams (b. 1947): ‘Nixon in China’; Orchestra of St. Luke’s; Edo de Waart, conductor; Nonesuch 794543
2:00
Marga Richter's 'Fragments'
Marga Richter (1926-2020): ‘Fragments’; Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra; Petr Vronský, conductor; Navona 6050
2:00
Ancerl and the Czech Philharmonic
Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959): Symphony No. 5; Czech Philharmonic; Karel Ancerl, conductor; Supraphon SU-3694-2
2:00
Honegger plays rough
Arthur Honegger (1892-1955): ‘Rugby’
2:00
Premiere of Brahms' 'Schicksalslied'
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): ‘Schicksalslied’ (‘Song of Destiny’); Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Robert Shaw, conductor; Telarc CD 80176
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.