Composers Datebook®

Beethoven symphonies and 20th century politics

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827) Symphony No. 5 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; René Leibowitz, cond. Chesky 17

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827) Symphony No. 9 in D minor Multi-national orchestra and chorus; Leonard Bernstein, cond. DG 445 486

On This Day

Births

  • 1922 - American composer and pianist George Walker, in Washington, D. C.;

  • 1932 - British composer Hugh Wood, in Parbold, near Wigan, Lancashire;

  • 1958 - Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg, in Helsinki;

Deaths

  • 1729 - French composer and harpsichordist Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de LaGuerre, age 64, in Paris;

  • 1948 - Expatriate American composer and watercolorist George Templeton Strong, age 92, in Geneva;

Premieres

  • 1985 - Dave Brubeck: dramatic scene "Voice of the Holy Spirit (Tongues of Fire)," at the National Association of Pastoral Musicians Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Richard Gloyd conducting;

  • 1990 - Michael Torke: "Mass" for baritone, chorus and orchestra, at the New York State Theater, with baritone William Stone, the Trinity Church Choir, and the NY City Ballet Orchestra, Gordon Boelzner conducting.

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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.

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