Composers Datebook®

Summer in the city, Berlioz-style

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886) St. Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds and Rhapsodie espagnole Stephen Hough, piano Virgin 61129

On This Day

Births

  • 1893 - French composer Lili Boulanger, in Paris; She was the younger sister of Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979), the famous French composition teacher;

  • 1927 - German composer Willhelm Killmayer, in Munich;

Deaths

  • 1951 - British composer and writer Constant Lambert, age 45, in London;

Premieres

  • 1966 - Creston: "Pavane Variations" at the La Jolla Music Festival in California;

Others

  • 1800 - The U.S. Marine Band presented its first public concert in Washington, DC, "on a hill overlooking the Potomac," near the future site of the Lincoln Memorial.

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

Meyerbeer's 'African Maid'

Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864): ‘O Paradis’ from ‘L’Africaine’; Ben Heppner, tenor; London Symphony; Myung-Whun Chung, conductor; DG 471 372

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

Beethoven waits for Liszt

Franz Liszt (1811-1886): ‘Reminiscences de Robert le Diable’; Leslie Howard, piano; Hyperion 66861

2:00
YourClassical

Stockhausen's 'Sunday' from 'Light'

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007): ‘Lichter-Wasser (Sonntags-Gruss)’ from ‘Sonntag aus Licht’; Barbara van den Boom, soprano; Hubert Mayer, tenor; Antonio Pérez Abellán, synthesizer; SW Radio Symphony Baden-Baden/Freiburg; Karlheinz Stockhausen, conductor; Stockhausen Verlag CD 58

2:00
YourClassical

Arthur Farwell

Arthur Farwell (1872-1952): ‘Navajo War Dance and Song of Peace’; Dario Muller, piano; Marco Polo 223715

2:00
YourClassical

Dvorak's Seventh

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904): Scherzo (Movement No. 3); from Symphony No. 7; Berlin Philharmonic; Rafael Kubelik, conductor; DG 463158-2

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

The Ondes Martenot

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992): ‘Turangalila Symphony’; Tristan Murail, Ondes Martenot; Philharmonia Orchestra; Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Sony 53473

2:00
YourClassical

Webern conducts Berg

Alban Berg (1885-1935): Violin Concerto; Louis Krasner, violin; BBC Symphony; Anton Webern, conductor; Testament/Continuum 1004

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