Composers Datebook®

Tallis' 40-voice birthday greeting?

Synopsis

Music Played in Today's Program

Thomas Tallis (c.1505 - 1585) Spem in alium Huelgas Ensemble; Paul Van Nevel, cond. Sony 60992

On This Day

Births

  • 1726 - French opera composer and chess master François André Danican-Philidor, in Dreux;

  • 1923 - English composer, pianist and actress Madeleine Dring, in Hornsey, London;

  • 1924 - American film composer Leonard Rosenman, in Brooklyn;

Deaths

  • 1881 - American poet, flutist and composer Sidney Lanier, age 39, in Lynn, N.C.;

Premieres

  • 1922 - Bliss: "Colour Symphony," at the Three Choirs' Festival in Glouchester, England;

  • 1940 - David Diamond: "Concerto for Orchestra," in Yaddo, N.Y.;

  • 1949 - Ghedini: opera, "Billy Budd," in Venice (Benjamin Britten's more successful operatic treatment of the same Hermann Melville novella premiered in London on December 1, 1951);

  • 1971 - Bernstein: "Mass" (public dress rehearsal), at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; The work's official gala premiere occurred on Sept. 8, 1971.

  • 1996 - David Stock: String Quartet No. 3, in Pittsburgh, by Cuarteto Latinoamericano.

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

Ned Rorem for eleven

Ned Rorem (1923-2022): ‘Eleven Studies for Eleven Players’; New York Chamber Ensemble; Stephen Rogers Radcliffe, conductor; Albany 175

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Smetana and the National Theatre in Prague

Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884): Act I Prelude and opening chorus, from ‘Dalibor’; Prague National Theatre Orchestra and Chorus; Zdenek Kosler, conductor; Supraphon ‎SU0077-2 632

2:00
YourClassical

Jerod Tate's 'Children's Songs'

Jerod Tate (b. 1968): ‘Taloowa Chipota’ (‘Children’s Songs’); Minnesota Boy Choir; Hal Leonard 00119300 (sheet music)

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
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
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
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