Composers Datebook®

Rawsthorne's version of "Cats"

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Alan Rawsthorne (1905 – 1971) excerpt, fr Practical Cats Robert Donat, speaker; Philharmonia Orchestra; Alan Rawsthorne, cond. EMI Classsics 66935

On This Day

Births

  • 1887 - Nicaraguan composer Luis Delgadillio, in Managua;

  • 1915 - British composer Humphrey Searle, in Oxford;

Deaths

  • 1958 - British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, age 85, in London;

Premieres

  • 1815 - Weber: Clarinet Quintet in Bb, Op. 34, in Munich, featuring clarinetist Heinrich Bärmann;

  • 1846 - Mendelssohn: oratorio "Elijah," at Birmingham Festival in England, with composer conducting;

  • 1954 - Alan Rawsthorne: "Practical Cats" (after T.S. Eliot), for speaker and orchestra, at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland

  • 1956 - Martinu: "Frescoes of Piero della Francesca," for orchestra, at the Salzburg Festival in Austria

  • 1957 - Panufnik: "Rhapsody" for orchestra, in London

  • 2001 - André Previn: "Tango, Song and Dance," at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis.

Others

  • 1717 - French flutist and composer Jacques-Martin Hotteterre is appointed royal flutist (“flutte de la chamber de Roy”) at a salary of 6000 livres

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

Toon-ful music by Carl Stalling

Carl Stalling (1888-1974): ‘Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals’ and ‘To Itch his Own’; Warner Bros. Studio Orchestra; Warner Bros. 26027

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

'To be Certain of the Dawn' by Stephen Paulus

Stephen Paulus (1949-2014): ‘To Be Certain of the Dawn’; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Boychoir; Basilica Cathedral Choir and Choristers; Minnesota Orchestra; Osmo Vänskä, conductor; Bis CD-1726

2:00
YourClassical

Gluck sings the blues

Christoph Willibald von Gluck (1714-1787): ‘Act Two Aria’ from ‘Armide’; Rockwell Blake, tenor; Monte Carlo Philharmonic; Patrick Fournillier, conductor; EMI 55058 Christoph Willibald von Gluck (1714-1787): ‘Don Juan Ballet Music’; Rhine Chamber Orchestra of Cologne; Jan Corazolla, conductor; Christophorus 74507

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Casals and Copland at the White House

Pablo Casals (1876-1973): ‘Song of the Birds’; Patrick Demenga, cello; Gerard Wyss, piano; Novalis 150117 Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘Billy the Kid Ballet’; Dallas Symphony; Eduardo Mata, conductor; Dorian 90170

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
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
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