1761 J.A. Silbermann organ at Arlesheim Cathedral, Switzerland

Awaken to the coming of spring and simultaneously celebrate a most important anniversary this week on Pipedreams. We honor Johann Sebastian Bach while enjoying his music - both youthful escapades and mature profundities - as played by Simon Preston, E. Power Biggs, Jonathan Dimmock and Kate von Tricht. Other composers offer unusual homage, too, and Håkan Hagegård, Rupert Gough, and Stewart Foster provide a few unexpected surprises. Dress casually, come with a friend, but bring no gifts; the best ones are already on the table.

We may properly give Handel credit for inventing the organ concert, but as this program reveals, Italian composers were on the scene, both before and afterwards. The true father of the ‘concerto proper’ was Arcangelo Corelli, whose grand works proved attractive to an English arranger. Vivaldi included the organ amongst groups of other solo instruments, and Bach transformed Vivaldi’s string pieces into recital music for virtuoso organists, who also are well served by Alfredo Casella’s Romantic Concerto from 1926, a sonorous extravagance. Join us for this special collection, Concertos a la Carte.

Today’s world culture is nothing new to the pipe organ, which has been importing and integrating international influences for centuries.

…what better way to show appreciation for the bounties of life than through melodious outbursts of joy.

…a collection of seasonal melodies elaborated in the French and German traditions.

…during his later Leipzig years, Bach revised and prepared a diverse collection of chorale preludes that were his final testament in this format.

…a glimpse at some intriguing repertoire and exquisite recordings made by engineer-producer Christoph Frommen for his Aeolus Music label.

…putting the pedal to the metal, these compositions make extraordinary use of the organists feet, which often play the music all by themselves.

…music of contrast and contradiction, a progression of mood and spirit leading to revelation.

…highlights from the work of Swiss recitalist, teacher, and composer Lionel Rogg.

…a quarterly sampling of recent organ discs, with emphasis on the unusually attractive and the unusual. Our choices are wide-ranging, covering a variety of musical styles, performers and instruments. Domestic and imported LPs and CDs will be aired.

…celebrated composers' musical tributes to Johann Sebastian Bach, using the theme derived from his last name.

…Singing the Christmas tidings with pipes and other voices.

…Whether in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands or Germany, the music of Johann Sebastian Bach is always “at home.”

…Going on Record....the spring quarterly sampler of recent releases in review.

…from triumphal entry through trial and tribulation to redemption, a collection of liturgical and other music of ceremony and spirituality.