Synopsis
Music Played in Today's Program
Leonard Bernstein (1918- 1990) Fancy Free Ballet New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, cond. Sony 63085
On This Day
Births
1819 - Austrian opera composer Franz von Suppé, in Spalato, Dalmatia;
1882 - British-born American conductor, arranger and new music champion, Leopold Stokowski, in London;
1907 - Hungarian-born American composer Miklós Rósza, in Budapest;
Deaths
1936 - Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, age 56, in Rome;
Premieres
1713 - Handel: "Utrecht Te Deum" (Julian date: April 7);
1800 - Beethoven: Horn Sonata, in Vienna, with horn virtuoso Wenzel Punto and the composer at the piano;
1898 - Chausson: Symphony, in Paris;
1909 - Rachmaninoff: "The Isle of the Dead" (Gregorian date: May 1);
1930 - Charles Wakefield Cadman: Violin Sonata, in Los Angeles, with violinist Vera Barstow;
1944 - Bernstein: ballet "Fancy Free," at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, choreographed by Jerome Robbins, with the Ballet Theater orchestra conducted by the composer;
1958 - Easley Blackwood: Symphony No. 1, in Boston;
1958 - Quincy Porter: "New England Episodes", in Washington;
1977 - Broadway premiere of Sondheim: revue "Side by Side by Sondheim" (compiled from various Sondheim musicals by British singer-actor David Kernan and others); This revue opened in London on May 4, 1976;
1986 - John Harbison: "Music for 18 Winds," in Cambridge, Mass., by the MIT Chamber Players, John Harbison conducting.
Love the music?
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.
Your Donation
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.