Composers Datebook®

David Schiff

Composers Datebook - Aug. 31, 2024
DOWNLOAD

Synopsis

Today we celebrate the birthday of American composer David Schiff, who was born in New York City on today’s date in 1945.

Schiff’s best-known work, the 1979 opera Gimpel the Fool, is based on a story by the beloved Yiddish writer Isaac Bashevis Singer that tells the tale of a Jewish baker in Eastern Europe who takes everything at face value and so is lied to and cheated by everyone he meets. Rather than take revenge, Gimpel becomes a wandering holy man, convinced that God will not lie or cheat him.

Schiff’s opera premiered in New York City in 1979, and shortly thereafter he arranged its themes into an instrumental divertimento, the first of many works written for clarinetist David Shifrin and Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, Oregon. Writing for those musicians, says Schiff, his given him what he calls, “a wonderful sense of how Haydn must have felt as court composer at Esterházy.”

The divertimento from Gimpel the Fool draws on Jewish liturgical modes and Klezmer music, and its fourth movement references “Who Knows One?” — a traditional song in Passover. Like the story of Gimpel, the song is meant to be humorous, while still imparting an important lesson.

Music Played in Today's Program

David Schiff (b. 1945): ‘Divertimento’ from ‘Gimpel the Fool’; David Shifrin, clarinet; Theodore Arm, violin; Warren Lash, cello; David Oei, piano; Delos DE-3058

On This Day

Births

  • 1820 - American song composer and music publisher George F. Root. He wrote “The Battle Cry of Freedom” and “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp - The Boys are Marching.”

  • 1943 - American composer David Maslanka, in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Premieres

  • 1933 - Barber: School for Scandal Overture, at a Robin Hood Dell concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra

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

Larsen's 'Lyric' Third

Libby Larsen (b. 1950): Symphony No. 3 (‘Lyric’) London Symphony; Joel Revzen, conductor; Koch 7370

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Debussy's Violin Sonata

Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Violin Sonata; Midori, violin; Robert McDonald, piano; Sony 89699

2:00
YourClassical

Dvorak salutes the flag

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904): ‘The American Flag’; soloists; choirs; Berlin Radio Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; CBS/Sony 60297

2:00
YourClassical

Moog moods by Carlos and Voegeli

J.S. Bach (1685-1750) arr. Carlos: Fugue No. 7, from ‘WTC Book 1’;l Wendy Carlos, Moog synthesizer; Sony 7194 Don Voegeli (1920-2009): ‘All Things Considered’ theme (1974 version); Don Voegeli, Moog synthesizer NPR recording

2:00
YourClassical

George Walker's 'Wind Set'

George Walker (1922-2018): ‘Wind Set’; Peggy Schecter, flute; Richard Foley, oboe; William Shadel, clarinet; Leonard Hindell, bassoon; Jerome Ashby, french horn; Summit 274

2:00
YourClassical

Graupner (and Haydn) in Boston

Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1808): Symphony No. 100 (‘Military’); London Classical Players; Roger Norrington, conductor; EMI 55192

2:00
YourClassical

Del Tredici's 'In Wartime'

David Del Tredici (1937-2023): ‘In Wartime’; University of Texas Wind Ensemble; Jerry Junkin, conductor; Reference Recording 104

2:00
YourClassical

Herbert's earthquake benefit

Victor Herbert (1859-1924): Cello Concerto No. 1; Lynn Harrell, cello; St. Martin’s Academy; Sir Neville Marriner, conductor; London 417 672

2:00
YourClassical

Diamond's Elegy

David Diamond (1915-2005): ‘Elegy in Memory of Maurice Ravel’; Orchestra of St. Luke’s; John Adams, conductor; Nonesuch 79249

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