Synopsis
Music Played in Today's Program
Douglas Moore (1893-1969) The Ballad of Baby Doe Jan Grissom, sop; Central City Opera Orchestra; John Moriarty, cond. Newport Classics 85593
Richard Wagner (1813-1883) arr. Franklyn What's Opera Doc? Warner Brothers Symphony; George Daugherty, cond. Warner Brothers 26494
On This Day
Births
1860 - Austrian composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, in Kalischt, Bohemia
1911 - Italian-born American composer and conductor Gian Carlo Menotti, in Cadegliano
1940 - Drummer and songwriter Ringo Starr (of the Beatles), in Liverpool, England
Deaths
1968 - American organist and composer Leo Sowerby, age 73, in Port Clinton, Ohio
Premieres
1713 - Handel: "Utrecht Te Deum," at St. Paul's Cathedral in London (Gregorian Date: July 18)
1956 - Moore: opera "The Ballade of Baby Doe," in Center City, Colo.; According to Opera America, this is one of the most frequently-produced American operas during the past decade
1994 - John Williams: Cello Concerto, at the opening of Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Mass., by the Boston Symphony, with the composer conducting and Yo-Yo Ma the soloist
2001 - David Ward-Steinman: "Dublin Down," for 2 pianos, during the College Music Society International Conference in Limerick, Ireland, by the composer and Patrice Madura Ward-Steinman
Others
1720 - Funeral of J.S. Bach's first wife, Maria Barbara (age 35); The cause of her death is unknown, and Bach's son Carl Philip Emmanuel reported that his father was at Carlsbad when she died: "The news that she had been ill and died reached him only when he entered his own house";
1747 - J.S. Bach dedicates his "Musical Offering" to Frederich the Great of Prussia
1791 - Haydn conducts his Symphony No. 92 ("Oxford") at the Sheldonian Theater ofOxford University, where he was awarded an honorary degree.
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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.