Copland counts to 12
Aaron Copland (1900-1990): ‘Inscape’; New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony 47236
John Birge
YourClassical MPR
Composers Datebook®
Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge
Composers Datebook - Sept. 13, 2026
2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
Sign up for the free Composers Datebook newsletter now — every day in your inbox!
A serenata by Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741): Aria (‘Alle Armene, Franche Arene’) from ‘La Gloria e Imeneo’; RV 687; Teresa Iervolino, mezzo-soprano; Abchordis Ensemble, Andrea Buccarella, conductor; Vivaldi Edition CD OP-8877 (Vol. 73)
2:00
Dvorak's 'Luzany' Mass
Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904): Mass in D; Christ Church Cathedral Choir; Nicholas Cleobury; Simon Preston, conductor; London/Decca 448 089-2
2:00
Cowell's Hymn and Fuguing Tunes
Henry Cowell (1897-1965): Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 10; Humbert Lucarelli, oboe; Manhattan Chamber Orchestra; Richard Auldon Clark, conductor; Koch 7282
2:00
Finzi's Clarinet Concerto
Gerald Finzi (1901-1956): Clarinet Concerto; Alan Hacker, clarinet; English String Orchestra; William Boughton, conductor; Nimbus 5665
2:00
Davis? Davies? Or Mavis?
Peter Maxwell Davies (1934-2016): ‘Mavis in Las Vegas’; BBC Symphony; Peter Maxwell Davies, conductor; Collins 1524
2:00
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
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.