Kathryn Bostic
Kathryn Bostic: Main Title, from ‘Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am’; Lakeshore Records 35495 (original soundtrack album)
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Jan. 27, 2026
2:00
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Harris's '1933' in 1934
Roy Harris (1898-1979): Symphony No. 1 (1933); Louisville Orchestra; Jorge Mester, conductor; Albany 012
2:00
Strauss raw and cooked
Richard Strauss (1864-1949): ‘Elektra’; Alessandra Marc, soprano; Vienna Philharmonic; Giuseppe Sinopoli, conductor; DG 453 429 Richard Strauss: ‘Der Rosenkavalier’; Waltz Suite Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor; Sony 60989
2:00
Stravinsky (and Newman) at the movies
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Symphony in Three Movements; Berlin Philharmonic; Pierre Boulez, conductor; DG 457 616 Alfred Newman (1901-1970): ‘Song of Bernadette’; National Philharmonic; Charles Gerhardt, conductor; RCA 184
2:00
Field the Claveciniste
John Field (1782-1837): Nocturne No. 2; John O’Conor; Telarc 80199
2:00
Bach's two- and three-part Inventions
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): Two-Part Invention #6; Simone Dinnerstein; Sony 79597
2:00
Brahms breaks the rules
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Piano Concerto No. 1 - I. Maestoso - Poco più moderato; Maurizio Pollini, piano; Berlin Philharmonic; Claudio Abbado, conductor; DG 447041
2:00
Poulenc's 'Gloria'
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963): ‘Gloria’; Tanglewood Festival Chorus; Boston Symphony Orchestra; Seiji Owaza, conductor; DG 427304
2:00
'Truth Tones' for MLK
Trevor Weston: ‘Truth Tones’; Trinity Youth Chorus; Julian Wachner, conductor; Acis 72290
2:00
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.