Bolcom's 'Sonata Stramba'
William Bolcom (b. 1938): Violin Sonata No. 3; Irina Muresanu, violin; Michael Lewis, piano; Centaur 2910
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - July 12, 2026
2:00
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MacDowell goes modern
Edward MacDowell (1860-1908): Modern Suite No. 1; James Barbagallo, piano; Naxos 8.559011
2:00
Elgar lights up?
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): ‘Smoking Cantata’; Andrew Shore, bar; Hallé Orchestra; Mark Elder, conductor; Hallé CD HLL-7505
2:00
Diamond and Thompson
David Diamond (1915-2005): ‘Rounds’; Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; Gerard Schwarz, conductor; Nonesuch 79002 Randall Thompson (1899-1984): ‘Alleluia’; Robert Shaw Chamber Singers; Robert Shaw, conductor; Telarc 80461
2:00
Louis Ballard
Louis Ballard (1931-2007): ‘Mid-Winter Fires’; Amy Morris, flute; Mark Serrup, oboe; Mary Goetz, piano; Indande Records 52352
2:00
Handel celebrates peace
George Frederic Handel (1685-1757): ‘Utrecht Te Deum’; St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir; The Parley of Instruments; John Scott, conductor; Hyperion 67009
2:00
Louis Armstrong and American music
Louis Armstrong (1901-1971): ‘Skip the Gutter’; Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five; Columbia 44422; ‘I’m in the Barrel’ arr. David Jolley; Windscape Arabesque 6732
2:00
Piazzolla passes
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992): ‘Tres Minutos con la Realidad’; Nestor Marconi, bandoneon; Yo Yo Ma, cello; ensemble; Sony Classical 63122
2:00
The 1812 Overture
Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): ‘1812 Overture’; Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra; Antal Dorati, conductor; Mercury Living Presence 434360
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.