Composers Datebook®

Mendelssohn and Porter see double

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Felix Mendelssohn (1811 - 1835) Double Concerto Güher and Süher Pekinel, pianos; Philharmonia Orchestra; Sir Neville Marriner, cond. Chandos 9711

Quincy Porter (1897 - 1966) Concerto for Two Pianos Joshua Pierce and Dorothy Jonas, duo pianists; Moravian Philharmonic; David Amos, cond. Helcion 1044

On This Day

Births

  • 1932 - Danish composer Per Norgaard, in Gentofte (near Copenhagen);

Deaths

  • 1951 - Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg, in Los Angeles, on a Friday the 13th; He was superstitiously obsessed with the number 13 and, ironically, was 76 years old at the time of his death (7+6 = 13)

Premieres

  • 1829 - Mendelssohn: Double Concerto (in e) for two pianos and orchestra, in London at a benefit concert, with the composer and Ignaz Moscheles as the soloists

  • 1995 - Corigliano: "Soliloquy" for clarinet and string quartet, in Portland, Oregon, by Chamber Music Northwest

Others

  • 1937 - The first Pan-American Chamber Music Festival is held in Mexico City

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical
2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

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
YourClassical

Joaquin Rodrigo's popular concierto

Joaquin Rodrigo (1902-1999): ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’; Manuel Barrueco, guitar; Philharmonic Orchestra; Placido Domingo, conductor; EMI 56175

2:00
YourClassical

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
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

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

2:00
YourClassical

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

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

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.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00