iPod Touch 2G not recognized by iTunes 12.9

Now this is more than annoying ... after upgrading to Mojave, I find that iTunes won't recognize my iPod Touch 2G.

The device works perfectly and I use it to record/playback during my solo performances.

After upgrading to Mojave, I'm getting this error (screenshot below). I've reset the iPod in the hope that there was a glitch that could be corrected by wiping it back to factory settings. Big mistake - it looks like Apple won't let me use the iPod any more.

I'm a bit outraged at this - it's a perfectly working device. Why should I send it to the landfill just because someone at Apple has decided that iTunes should no longer work with the device?

Anyone else have the same experience?