Donald Shirley
Donald Shirley (1927-2013): ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’; Donald Shirley, piano; Cadence CLP-1009
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Jan. 29, 2026
2:00
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John Tavener
John Tavener (1944-2013): ‘Ikon of Eros’; Jorja Fleezanis, violin; Minnesota Chorale; Minnesota Orchestra; Paul Goodwin, conductor; Reference Recording 102
2:00
Kathryn Bostic
Kathryn Bostic: Main Title, from ‘Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am’; Lakeshore Records 35495 (original soundtrack album)
2:00
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
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.