John Cage at Woodstock
John Cage (1912-1992): Nos. 5 and 12, from ‘Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano’; Robert Miller, piano; New World 80203
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Aug. 29, 2025
2:00
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Liszt and Milhaud celebrate Goethe
Franz Liszt (1811-1886): ‘Tasso’; Orchestre de Paris; Georg Solti, conductor; London 417 513 Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): ‘Aspen Serenade,’ Stuttgart Radio Symphony; Gilbert Varga, conductor; CPO 999114
2:00
Copland does Mexico (and Mexico does Copland)
Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘El Salon Mexico’; New Philharmonia; Aaron Copland, conductor; CBS/Sony 46559
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A Song for Anne-Sophie
Andre Previn (1929-2019): ‘Tango Song and Dance III. Dance’; Lambert Okis, piano; Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin; DG 8143
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Bach's Letter
J.S. Bach (1685-1750): ‘Weichet Nur,’ from ‘Wedding Cantata’ No. 202; Elly Ameling, soprano; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; EMI Classics
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Pomp and the MJQ
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ No. 4; London Philharmonic; Daniel Barenboim, conductor; Sony Classical 60789 Milt Jackson (1923-1999): ‘Blues in C’; Modern Jazz Quartet; Atlantic 1652
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Barney Google meets Igor Stravinsky?
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘Scènes de Ballet’; London Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; RCA/BMG 68865
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A 'Silly Symphony' Debut
Edward Grieg (1843-1907): ‘March of the Trolls’
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1968 Proms
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904): Cello Concerto; Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; USSR State Symphony; Yevgeny Svetlanov, conductor; BBC Legends CD 4110 (recorded live August 21, 1968 at the BBC Proms)
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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.