1999 Kuhn organ at the Bern Münster [Cathedral of Saint Vincent], Switzerland

From sprightly Renaissance dances to grandious symphonies, this week’s show celebrates the many diverse elements which make organ music so remarkable, and a mirror of changes in western culture. Style, emotion, compositional and mechanical ingenuity all play a part in creating music of joy and contemplation, of restraint and exhultation. Whether in folk-song improvisation or anthem accompaniment, flashy toccata or rhumba-inspired trumpet voluntary, the pipe organ does it all. Listen to newly released compact discs from around the world in this sonic spectacular.

…It’s not just fancy pedal-playing that keeps these musicians’ happy feet, and ours, dancing.

…music and conversation featuring internationally touring British recitalist Christopher Herrick, in celebration of his 40th anniversary as a recording artist.

…music and conversation feature internationally-touring British recitalist Christopher Herrick, in celebration of his years as a recording artist.

…music and conversation featuring internationally touring British recitalist Christopher Herrick, in celebration of his 40th anniversary as a recording artist.

An extravagantly colorful autumn collection of recent recordings in review.