Composers Datebook®

Sibelius and "Finlandia"

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Finlandia, Op. 26, no. 7 Finnish National Opera Chorus; Eri Klas, cond. Ondine 754

On This Day

Births

  • 1714 - German composer Christoph Willibald (Ritter von) Gluck, in Erasbach, Upper Palatinate

Deaths

  • 1778 - French writer, music critic, and composer Jean-Jacques Rousseau, age 66, in Ermenonville

Premieres

  • 1900 - Sibelius: tone poem "Finlandia," in Helsinki, with Robert Kajanus conducting; An earlier, vocal version of this music was first performed at the Swedish Theater in Helsinki on Nov, 4, 1899

  • 1929 - Gershwin: musical "Show Girl," at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York; This show included the classic Gershwin song "Liza"

  • 1949 - John Alden Carpenter: Symphony No. 2 (revised version), by the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia, with Fritz Busch conducting; The New York Philharmonic premiered the first version of this symphony on October 22, 1942, with Bruno Walter conducting

  • 1983 - Libby Larsen: "Deep Summer Music" for orchestra, in Terrance, Minn., by the Minnesota Orchestra, Joseph Giunta conducting

Others

  • 1723 - Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi agrees to write and rehearse the music for two concerts a month at the Pièta School for Orphaned Girls in Venice

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

New York 'novelties' by Liszt et. al.

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) arr. Franz Liszt (1811-1896): ‘Wanderer Fantasy’; Leslie Howard, piano; Budapest Symphony; Karl Anton Rickenbacher, conductor; Hyperion 67403

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Gabriel Kahane

Gabriel Kahane (b. 1981): ‘What brings you here?’ from ‘Emergency Shelter Intake Form’; Alicia Hall Moran, mezzo-soprano; Oregon Symphony; Carlos Kalmar, conductor; Digital download

2:00
YourClassical

Maazel's 'Ring without Words'

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) arr. Lorin Maazel (1930-2014): ‘Ring without Words’; Berlin Philharmonic; Lorin Maazel, conductor; Telarc 80154

2:00
YourClassical

Maxwell Davies at a wedding (with sunrise)

Peter Maxwell Davies (1934-2016): ‘An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise’; George MacIlwham, bagpipes; Royal Philharmonic; Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, conductor; Collins 1444

2:00
YourClassical

Alexis Alrich's Marimba Concerto

Alexis Alrich (b. 1955): Marimba Concerto; Evelyn Glennie, marimba; City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong; Jean Thorel, conductor; Naxos 8.574218

2:00
YourClassical

Beethoven's Second on first?

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 2; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 61835

2:00
YourClassical

Thomson's 'Mother of Us All'

Virgil Thomson (1896-1989): ‘The Mother of Us All’; Santa Fe Opera; Raymond Leppard, conductor; New World 288

2:00
YourClassical

Larsen's 'Lyric' Third

Libby Larsen (b. 1950): Symphony No. 3 (‘Lyric’) London Symphony; Joel Revzen, conductor; Koch 7370

2:00
YourClassical

Debussy's Violin Sonata

Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Violin Sonata; Midori, violin; Robert McDonald, piano; Sony 89699

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