Bingham's Secret Garden
Judith Bingham (b. 1952): ‘The Secret Garden’; BBC Symphony Chorus; Thomas Trotter, oboe; Stephen Jackson, conductor; Naxos 8.570346 (live Proms recording of the premiere performance)
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Aug. 21, 2026
2:00
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Jacopo Peri and early opera
Jacopo Peri (1561-1633): ‘Euridice’; Sylva Pozzer, soprano; Ensemble Albalonga; Anibal E. Cetrangolo, conductor; Pavane Records 7372/3
2:00
Edward Collins escapes to Wisconsin
Edward J. Collins (1889-1951): Concert Piece in A minor; Leslie Stifelman, piano; Concordia Orchestra; Marin Alsop, conductor; Albany 267
2:00
Monteverdi gets mugged (and a new job)
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643): ‘Che dar piu vi poss’io’ from ‘Fifth Book of Madrigals’; Consort of Musicke; Anthony Rooley, conductor; L’oiseau Lyre 410 291
2:00
Arvo Part's "Brothers" in Salzburg
Arvo Pärt (b. 1935): ‘Fratres’; Gidon Kremer, violin; Keith Jarrett, piano; ECM 1275
2:00
Gershwin and Daugherty go Latin
George Gershwin (1898-1937): ‘Cuban Overture’; New York Philharmonic; Zubin Mehta, conductor; Teldec 46318 Michael Daugherty (b. 1954): ‘Desi!’; Baltimore Symphony; David Zinman, conductor; Argo 444 454
2:00
Leon Theremin's good vibrations
Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975): ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’; National Philharmonic; Bernard Herrmann, conductor; London 443 899 Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): ‘Berceuse’ from ‘The Firebird’; Clara Rockmore, theremin; Nadia Reisenberg, piano; Delos 1014
2:00
A posthumous premiere for Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss (1864-1949): ‘Die Liebe der Danae’ (Symphonic Fragment); Toronto Symphony; Andrew Davis, conductor; CBS 45804
2:00
Of Wagner, Tubas and Gyorgy Kurtag
György Kurtág (1926-2019): ‘Stele’; SWR Symphony; Michael Gielen, conductor; Hänssler 93001
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.