John Birge
11 Collection Items
- Composers Datebook: Symphonic Penderecki
In 1961, a new and difficult work for strings announced the arrival of a composer with a new and difficult name for non-Polish speakers to pronounce…Krzysztof Penderecki. This episode of Composers Datebook looks back at the unique music figure.
- Composers Datebook: Leon Theremin's good vibrations
When a flying saucer circled over Washington, DC, in the classic 1951 sci-fi film The Day the Earth Stood Still, it did so to music played on an electronic instrument known as the “Theremin.” On this episode of Composer’s Datebook, a look back at its Russian inventor, Leon Theremin.
- John Birge's 'Giving Thanks' From American Public Media
A traditional noon hour Thanksgiving special from MPR's John Birge, featuring music and stories for Thanksgiving.
- SPCO keyboardist Layton "Skip" James shares a story from long career playing harpsichord
Classical MPR’s John Birge sits down with Layton “Skip” James, as he retires from The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra after 41 years as keyboardist. James recalls a memorable night that didn't go exactly as planned. James was playing the 5th Brandenburg Concerto by Bach. It has a huge harpsichord solo, or cadenza. But James found himself in the spotlight in an unexpected way...
- Giving Thanks: a Celebration of Fall, Food, and Gratitude, 2009
With music and stories for Thanksgiving, it's Giving Thanks: a Celebration of Fall, Food, and Gratitude. This year, we remember the great American writer John Updike. From his 2002 Giving Thanks visit, Updike shares November reflections and holiday memories, including a Thanksgiving verse he wrote for his children. From his book Americana, he'll read a soaring poem of gratitude, "To a Skylark."
- Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food and Gratitude. Giving Thanks 2009
Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food and Gratitude. MPR's John Birge presents Thanksgiving music, stories and poems from writers John Updike and Kevin Kling. 12:00 p.m. Giving Thanks comes in two versions: The original two-hour program maintains the high proportion of music compatible with a classical format. The one-hour version is geared towards news/talk formats, with less music but all the special readings. This version keeps the spirit of the original program, while offering greater scheduling flexibility. For 2009, Giving Thanks remembers the great John Updike, who passed away this year. Updike shares November reflections, including a Thanksgiving verse he wrote for his children. From his book Americana, he'll read a poem of gratitude to a skylark. Also, writer and All Things Considered commentator Kevin Kling reads a Thanksgiving story from his new book "Holiday Inn."
- Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food and Gratitude. Giving Thanks, 2009.
Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food and Gratitude. MPR's John Birge presents Thanksgiving music, stories and poems from writers John Updike and Kevin Kling. Giving Thanks comes in two versions: The original two-hour program maintains the high proportion of music compatible with a classical format. The one-hour version is geared towards news/talk formats, with less music but all the special readings. This version keeps the spirit of the original program, while offering greater scheduling flexibility. For 2009, Giving Thanks remembers the great John Updike, who passed away this year. Updike shares November reflections, including a Thanksgiving verse he wrote for his children. From his book Americana, he'll read a poem of gratitude to a skylark. Also, writer and All Things Considered commentator Kevin Kling reads a Thanksgiving story from his new book "Holiday Inn."
- Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food, and Gratitude 2008
We gather together with best-selling author Harold Kushner, and a perfect blessing from poet Galway Kinnell. With music and stories for Thanksgiving, it's Giving Thanks, a Celebration of Fall, Food, and Gratitude.
- Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food & Gratitude
This year's edition of "Giving Thanks" includes music, poetry, stories and much more. One highlight is a rare recording of Charles Laughton in which the actor connects his personal discovery of Chartres Cathedral with an excerpt from Jack Kerouac's "The Dharma Bums" and the 104th Psalm.
- Haimovitz at the 400 Bar
Cellist Matt Haimovitz talks with MPR’s John Birge on performing classical music in alternative venues. Haimovitz, known for being well-versed in Bach, has recently been focused on contemporary work. He is performing a Halloween concert at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis.
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