Composers Datebook®

Jon Leifs of Iceland

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Jón Leifs (1899 -1968) Hekla Helsinki Philharmonic; Leif Segerstam, cond. Ondine 894

On This Day

Deaths

  • 1968 - Icelandic composer Jon Leifs, age 68, in Reykjavik

Premieres

  • 1965 - Duke Ellington: "The Golden Broom and the Golden Apples," by the New York Philharmonic, with the composer conducting, on the same concert as the belated premiere of Ives: "From the Steeples and the Mountains," with Lukas Foss conducting

  • 1983 - Michael Torke: "Ceremony of Innocence," for chamber quintet, at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Mass., by fellows of the Tanglewood Center, Gunther Schuller conducting

Others

  • 1829 - On a visit to Edinburgh, Mendelssohn visits Holyrood Palace and writes down the first measures of his "Scottish" Symphony

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

William Henry Fry

William Henry Fry (1813-1864): ‘Macbeth’ Overture; Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Tony Rowe, conductor; Naxos 8.559057

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

'Morning Revisited' by Raksin

David Raksin (1912-2004): ‘Morning Revisited’; The Horn Club of Los Angeles; David Raksin, conductor; EMI 63764

2:00
YourClassical

Poulenc's 'Model Animals'

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963): ‘Les Animaux Modeles’; French National Orchestra; Charles Dutoit, conductor; London 452 937

2:00
YourClassical

Catalani's La Wally

Alfredo Catalani (1854 – 1893): Ebben? Ne andrò lontana, from La Wally (Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez , sop.; London Symphony Orchestra; Vladimir Cosma, cond.) SL 9503

2:00
YourClassical

Rebecca Clarke

Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979): ‘Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale’; Robert Plane, clarinet; Philip Dukes, viola; Naxos 8.557934

2:00
YourClassical

Musgrave's Postcard

Thea Musgrave (b. 1928): ‘Loch Ness – A Postcard from Scotland’; BBC National Orchestra of Wales; William Boughton, conductor; Lyrita 372

2:00
YourClassical

William Schuman, Chairman of the Board

William Schuman (1910-1992): Symphony No. 3; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony Classical 63163 Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Symphony No. 1 (‘Spring’); Berlin Philharmonic; James Levine, conductor; DG 435 856 Roy Harris (1899-1979): Symphony No. 1; Louisville Orchestra; Jorge Mester, conductor; Albany/Louisville First Edition 012

2:00
YourClassical

Salieri opens La Scala

Antonio Salieri (1750-1825): ‘Falstaff Overture’; London Mozart Players; Matthias Bamert, conductor; Chandos 9877

2:00
YourClassical

Harbison's 'Three City Blocks'

John Harbison (b. 1938): ‘Three City Blocks’; New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble; Frank Battisti, conductor; Centaur 2288

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
00:00
Infinity:NaN