1985 Jaeckel organ at Concordia College, Bronxville, NY

We celebrate American composers with a program of colorful works to match every mood. From the new-age patterns of William Doerrfeld to the rags of Scott Joplin, from church pieces to concert toccatas we’ll explore the vast domain of American organ music. Fresh, exciting and new would be ways to describe the music you’ll hear. Works by Pamela Decker, Fred Hohman and Charles Ives among others with varied emotions and styles, and powerful gestures all under the inspiration of The American Muse.

For hundreds of years, the pipe organ was played by mechanical action, with a direct and tangible link called a tracker between keyboard and wind chest. Late in the 19th century, electricity entered the scene and took over the roost for the better part of half a century. Electrity still is with us and has its place, but on this week’s show we return to tradition and review some recent instruments from across the country. Each organ was built with that tried and true mechanical linkage that works well in antique repertoire, of course, but also in romantic and contemporary works, too. Whether in a 19th century Bolero, a 20th century partita, or an 18th century concerto, modern mechanical action pipe organs maintain a time-honored tradition. With instruments in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Shoreview, Minnesota and Tacoma, Washington, we salute history and celebrate tomorrow in the company of our friends, the Tracker Backers.

…Performances by Richard Heschke, Dean Billmeyer, Paul Jordan and Haskell Thomson on instruments in college and university settings.