1962 Aeolian-Skinner organ, Op 1399 at the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Philip, Atlanta, GA

A return to Georgia on this week’s Pipedreams program recorded during an American Guild of Organists convention in Atlanta. We’ll visit the Cathedral of Saint Philip to sample this moody meditation by Walter Hilse, hear a sacred song-setting by Rachel Laurin of Montréal, journey to Peachtree Road United Methodist Church for Karel Paukert’s scintillating representation of Czech and American works, and to Trinity Presbyterian Church where Todd Wilson, George Hanson and Atlanta Symphony members explore music for organ and strings. History revisited.

A rose blooms out of season on a winter morning. The Brightest and Best stars show up in the “Company at the Creche.” Images, scenes, and personalities such asa these are present in our next Pipedreams program. It’s a showcase for the work of composers here in the United States, giving a sense of home and place to this international festival. Timothy Albrecht plays grace notes at Emory University, Nancy Whipkey leads her Ascension Children’s Choir in a cantata by Daniel Pinkham, Allison Luedecke and Robert Gallagher stir the echoes at Saint John’s Cathedral in Milwaukee, and Craig Cansler and the Choir of Saint Philip’s in Atlanta celebrates the work of Charles Beaudrot. Our torch lights up the manger scene in Bethlehem, and who do we see there but a circle of composers from the United States, celebrating the holiday with their special gifts. Tune in for An American Organist’s Christmas, this week on Pipedreams.

On the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, this musical offering of remembrance, resilience and hope.

…an international sampler of instruments and players, all in recent recordings, commit to individual revelations of the spirit of the greatest of all composers for the organ, J.S. Bach.

…a collaborative offering of Bach’s famous and thought-provoking set of variations, plus other works in ‘G’.

…classical and theatre organists, and some young competition winners, provide some sounds from the deep south.

…a centenary tribute to the celebrated San Francisco organist-composer Richard Purvis (1913-1994).

…whether in response to the Angel’s proclamation of her divine role, or in simple hymns of praise, composers through history have celebrated the Virgin Mary.

…a survey of recordings of choral and organ works by the famous Michigan-born, Chicago-based, nationally acclaimed Leo Sowerby, one of America's major minor musical masters.

Varied splendid and vibrant settings of the perennially affirming hymn of praise, faith and celebration, a sonic spectacular!

From Georgia to California and New York to Kansas, we offer joyous greetings from around these United States.