Composers Datebook

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Composers Datebook

Composers Datebook is a daily 2-minute program that informs, engages and entertains listeners with timely information about composers, past and present.

09/25/2024

Composer Datebook's page has merged with YourClassical, which produces the program. Please follow https://www.facebook.com/YourClassical to get the latest updates on the program and much more!

07/26/2023

On today's date in 1882, the first performance of Richard Wagner's opera "Parsifal" took place at the Bayreuth Festival in Bavaria. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/26/seeing-things-at-wagners-parsifal

07/25/2023

"Einstein on the Beach" was a collaboration between two Americans: composer Philip Glass and set designer Robert Wilson. It premiered on today’s date in 1976. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/25/opera-glass

07/24/2023

The composer of this familiar Olympic theme was born on today's date in 1904 in Lyon, France. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/24/arnauds-afterthefact-olympic-tune

07/23/2023

On today's date in 1757, the Italian composer and harpsichordist Domenico Scarlatti died in Madrid. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/23/scarlatti-and-persichetti-sonatas

07/22/2023

On today's date in 1847, Giuseppe Verdi conducted the premiere performance of his newest opera, "I Masnadieri" or "The Robbers," at Her Majesty's Theater in London. And speaking of her Majesty, Queen Victoria was in the audience. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/22/a-verdi-premiere-in-london

07/21/2023

On today's date in 1938, the Ballet Russe of Monte Carlo premiered a work based on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi titled "Nobilissima Visione." The choreography was by Leonide Massine, and the music by Paul Hindemith.
https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/21/hindemiths-st-francis-ballet

07/20/2023

Today a tip of the hat to a much-beleaguered and frequently unacknowledged species: the piano teacher. All the great pianists had one—as did the not so great... Do you, for example, remember the name of your first piano teacher?
https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/20/morton-feldman-salutes-his-piano-teacher

07/19/2023

The American premiere of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7, subtitled "Leningrad," was performed as a live NBC Symphony radio broadcast on today's date in 1942. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/19/the-leningrad-symphony-on-nbc

07/18/2023

Today we pay tribute to Pauline Viardot-Garcia, born in Paris on today’s date in 1821. Her father was Manuel Garcia, the tenor for whom Rossini had written the role of Count Almaviva in “The Barber of Seville.”https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/18/pauline-viardotgarcia

07/17/2023

On today’s date in 1877, the Vienna Philharmonic performed for the first time in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, during a three-day music festival that included works by Mozart and others. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/17/salzburg-and-messner

07/16/2023

Today we note the birthday of a remarkable composer, conductor and virtuoso violinist: Eugéne Ysaÿe, born in Liége, Belgium, on today’s date in 1858. https://www.yourclassical.org/episode/2023/07/16/violinist-conductor-eugene-ysaye

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Saint Paul, MN
55101

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https://www.yourclassical.org/programs/composers-datebook/episodes

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About Composers Datebook

Composers Datebook is a daily two-minute program designed to inform, engage, and entertain listeners with timely information about composers of the past and present. Each program notes significant or intriguing musical events involving composers of the past and present—with appropriate and accessible music related to each.

Host John Birge

Composers Datebook host John Birge is the morning drive host of Classical Minnesota Public Radio and starts up the Mozart for classical music lovers who need a civilized wake-up call to go along with their morning coffee. He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 20 years. He also is heard on APM holiday specials including Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food and Gratitude and Welcome Christmas!

History

Composers Datebook was launched on March 1, 2000, by the American Composers Forum as an independently produced, 3-minute, Monday to Friday radio feature. Initial funding for the program was provided by the James Irvine Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Studio producer for the initial series was Tom Voegeli of Tom Voegeli Productions, with national distribution and marketing realized by Vic Muenzer and Noel Morris of CD Syndications, Inc. Bill Morelock served as broadcast host of Composers Datebook for its first year of production.

Within a month of its launch, Composers Datebook was heard on 46 stations coast to coast. By the end of 2000, that number had climbed to 173, representing 33 states and Puerto Rico. The program’s Web site was launched on July 3, 2000.

On December 6, 2000, the producers of Composers Datebook received the Deem Taylor Special Recognition Award "for the excellence of its broadcast service" from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) at a ceremony at the Lincoln Center's Kaplan Penthouse in New York City. On July 1, 2001, Composers Datebook became a co-production of American Public Media and the American Composers Forum. At that time, Composers Datebook became a daily, 2-minute feature, with a new production team from Minnesota Public Radio including Silvester Vicic and Leslie Crane. A daily Composers Datebook email newsletter was launched, as well as podcasts of the program. John Zech served as its broadcast host from 2001 until his retirement in 2018.

Broadcasting Composers Datebook

For more information on broadcasting Composers Datebook, visit the American Public Media station site.

Composers Datebook credits

Composers Datebook is produced by American Public Media in association with the American Composers Forum. The creator of the series and its principal writer is John Michel of the American Composers Forum.