Composers Datebook®

Milhaud at West Point

Composers Datebook - Jan. 5, 2025
DOWNLOAD

Synopsis

In the opinion of General George Washington, a commanding plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River, about 40 miles north of New York City, was a key strategic position during America’s War for Independence. Washington had fortifications built there and transferred his headquarters to this “West Point” in 1779. In 1802, after America’s independence had been won, President Thomas Jefferson signed legislation establishing a United States Military Academy at West Point.

150 years later, in 1952, the West Point Military Band decided to observe the Academy’s Sesquicentennial by asking prominent composers to write celebratory works to mark the occasion. A number of composers responded, including French composer Darius Milhaud. Milhaud’s West Point Suite was premiered by the West Point Band at Carnegie Hall on today’s date in 1952, with Captain Francis Resta conducting, and proved to be one of the most successful and oft-performed of these Sesquicentennial pieces.

The previous year, Milhaud had paid a visit to West Point to hear the band, as he wanted to assess both their size and ability. He was impressed by what he heard — and surprised as well when the band struck up “Happy Birthday” in his honor. It seems that both Milhaud and his wife had completely forgotten their September 4 visit coincided with the composer’s 60th birthday!

Music Played in Today's Program

Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): West Point Suite; Liszt Academy Symphonic Band; Laszlo Marosi, conductor; Hungaroton 32066

On This Day

Births

  • 1792 - American composer Peter Wolle, in New Herrnhut, St. Thomas, West Indies

  • 1871 - American composer Frederick Shepherd Converse, in Newton, Massachusetts

  • 1880 - Russian composer and pianist Nicolai Medtner, in Moscow (Julian date: Dec. 24, 1879)

  • 1881 - Russian composer Nicolai Roslavetz, in Dushatino, Chernigov region, Ukraine (Julian date: Dec. 24, 1880)

Deaths

  • 1869 - Russian composer Alexander Dargomizhsky, 55 (Gregorian date: Jan. 17)

  • 1970 - Catalan-born British composer Roberto Gerhard, 73, in Cambridge, England

  • 1979 - American jazz composer and bassist Charles Mingus, 56, in Mexico City

Premieres

  • 1677 - Lully: opera Isis, in Paris

  • 1727 - Bach: Sacred Cantata No. 58 (Ach Gott, wie Manches Herzeleid II) performed on the Sunday after New Year’s Day as part of Bach's third annual Sacred Cantata cycle in Leipzig (1725/27)

  • 1745 - Handel: musical drama Hercules at the King’s Theater in London (Gregorian date: Jan. 16)

  • 1868 - Bruch: Violin Concerto (final version), in Bremen, with Karl Martin Rheintahler conducting and Joseph Joachim the soloist. An earlier version of this work had been premiered on April 24, 1866, which Bruch substantially revised with the assistance of Joachim.

  • 1884 - Gilbert & Sullivan: operetta, Princess Ida, at the Savoy Theatre in London

  • 1932 - Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, in Vienna, with Vienna Symphony conducted by Robert Heger, with Paul Wittgenstein (who commissioned the work) as soloist

  • 1941 - Mark Blitzstein: opera No for an Answer, in New York City

  • 1949 - Henry Cowell: Symphony No. 5, at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., by the National Symphony, Hans Kindler conducting

  • 1949 - Morton Gould: symphonic suite, Fall River Legend, Pierre Monteux conducting San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

  • 1961 - Easley Blackwood: Symphony No. 2, in Cleveland (commissioned by music publisher G. Schirmer to celebrate its centenary)

  • 1962 - Ross Lee Finney: Piano Quintet No. 2, in Los Angeles

  • 1973 - Pierre Boulez: …explosante/fixe at a concert by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York City

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

Plucky music with Landowska and Harbach

J.S. Bach (1685-1750): ‘Little Prelude’; Wanda Landowska, harpsichord; Pearl 9489 Barbara Harbach (b. 1946): ‘Cante Flamenco,’ from ‘Tres Danzas para Clavecin’; Barbara Harbach, harpsichord; Gasparo 290

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'

J.S. Bach (1627-1750): ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’; Celia Nicklin, oboe; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; Warner 975562

2:00
YourClassical

Britten's 'Cantata Academica'

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): ‘Cantata Academica’ (‘Carmen Basiliense’); Jennifere Vyvyan, soprano; Helen Watts, mezzo-soprano; Peter Pears, tenor; Owen Brannigan, bass; London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra; George Malcolm, conductor; Decca 4251532

2:00
YourClassical

Anton Arensky

Anton Arensky (1861-1906): Piano Trio No. 1; Rembrandt Trio; Dorian 90146

2:00
YourClassical

A modern Monteverdi premiere

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643): ‘L’Incoronazione di Poppea’; soloists; Vienna Concentus Music Vienna; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor; Teldec 42547

2:00
YourClassical

Leoni in San Francisco

Franco Leoni (1864-1937): ‘L’Oracolo’; Tito Gobbi, baritone; National Philharmonic; Richard Bonynge, conductor; London OSA-12107; LP

2:00
YourClassical

Schoenberg for Winds

Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951): ‘Theme and Variations’; Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble; Harlan D. Parker, conductor; Naxos 8.570403

2:00
YourClassical

Mahler's Ninth

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911): Symphony No. 9; Columbia Symphony; Bruno Walter, conductor; Sony 64452

2:00
YourClassical

Mendelssohn's Second

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Symphony No. 2 (‘Hymn of Praise’); Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and Chorus; Edo de Waart, conductor; Fidelio 9202

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