Davis? Davies? Or Mavis?
Peter Maxwell Davies (1934-2016): ‘Mavis in Las Vegas’; BBC Symphony; Peter Maxwell Davies, conductor; Collins 1524
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Sept. 8, 2026
2:00
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A 40-voice birthday greeting from Tallis?
Thomas Tallis (1505-1585): ‘Spem in Alium’; Huelgas Ensemble; Paul Van Nevel, conductor; Sony 60992
2:00
A 'well-Krafted' concerto?
William Kraft (1923-2022): Timpani Concerto; Thomas Akins, timpani; Alabama Symphony; Paul Polivnick, conductor; Albany 302
2:00
Prokofiev's String Quartet No. 2
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953): String Quartet No. 2
1:59
Tchaikovsky and Glass at the movies
Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): ‘Swan Lake Ballet’; Montréal Symphony; Charles Dutoit, conductor; London 436 212 Philip Glass (b. 1937): ‘Dracula’ film score excerpt; Kronos Quartet; Nonesuch 79542
1:59
Beethoven's 'Razumovsky' Quartets
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): ‘Razumovsky Quartet’ No. 2; Emerson String Quartet; DG 479 1432
2:00
E.J. Moeran
E.J. Moeran (1894-1950): Serenade in G; Northern Sinfonietta of England; Richard Hickox, conductor; EMI 74991-2
2:00
Mozart 'dissed' by Dittersdorf?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): String Quartet; Emerson String Quartet; DG 439 861 Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739-1799): String Quartet No. 4; Gewandhaus Quartet; Berlin Classics 9261
2:00
Barber's 'scandalous' overture
Samuel Barber (1910-1981): ‘School for Scandal’ overture; Baltimore Symphony; David Zinman, conductor; Argo 436 288
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.