William Schuman on the George Washington Bridge
William Schuman (1910-1992): ‘George Washington Bridge’; Rutgers Wind Ensemble; William Bertz, conductor; Naxos 572230
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - July 30, 2026
2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
Sign up for the free Composers Datebook newsletter now — every day in your inbox!
Gene Gutche
Gene Gutchë (1907-2001): Symphony No. 5; Cincinnati Symphony; Max Rudolf, conductor; CRI 825
2:00
World War I in Europe, Bach in America
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Double Concerto (recorded 1915); Fritz Kreisler, Efrem Zimbalist, violins; string quartet; Buddulph CD 21/22
2:00
Bernard Herrmann gets a pink slip from Hitch
Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975): Unused ‘Torn Curtain’ film score; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Sony 62700
2:00
Seeing things at Wagner's 'Parsifal'
Richard Wagner (1813-1883): Act I excerpt from ‘Parsifal’; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; James Levine, conductor; DG 437 501
2:00
Opera Glass?
Philip Glass (b. 1937): Violin Solo from ‘Einstein on the Beach’; Gregroy Fulkerson, violin; New World 80313
2:00
Arnaud's after-the-fact Olympic tune
Leo Arnaud (1904-1991): ‘Olympic Theme’; Cleveland Symphonic Winds; Frederick Fennell, conductor; Telarc 80099
2:00
Scarlatti (and Persichetti) Sonatas
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757): Sonata in C Minor; Elaine Comparone, harpsichord; Laurel 838 Vincent Pershichetti (1915-1987): Sonata No. 4; Elaine Comparone, harpsichord; Laurel 838
2:00
A Verdi premiere in London
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): ‘I Masnadieri Overture’; Hungarian State Opera Orchestra; Iper Giorgio Morandi, conductor; Naxos 8.554077
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.