1987 Casavant organ at the Jack Singer Concert Hall of the Calgary Center for the Performing Arts, Calgary, Canada

They are fleet of foot and finger, and are the hope for our future. This week, revel in the talent of an international array of soloists, recorded during one of the world’s most prestigeous contests for young players. You may already know about Bach and Widor, even Messiaen, Middleschulte and Calvin Hampton. But soon you’ll know why they applauded mightily for Christian Schmitt, Hyun Jung Kim, Eva Bublova and Cameron Carpenter. Prizes of up to $25,000 were offered. Can you pick the winners. Tune in for Part 1 of 3 in a series of Calgary Festival Highlights.

They earned their gold, and you’ll hear why as this week’s show features prize-winners from Canada’s renowned Calgary International Organ Competition. Vincent Dubois surprised even himself, while the improvisations of Laszlo Fassang, the deft playing of Canadian music by Jonathan Oldengarm, Iveta Apkalna’s Bach, and Clive Driskill-Smith’s excellent ensemble guaranteed these artists a share in some of the best money a young organist can earn. We share their musicianship, and their moments of glory with you, in the second of three broadcasts in a series of Calgary Festival Highlights. Don’t miss a note of it, they won’t.

Major works are played by some bright new stars in the organ firmament, recorded in competition at the Calgary International Organ Festival.

Ten players tackle first symphonies by two famous blind Frenchmen, Louis Vierne [1870-1937] and Jean Langlais [1907-1991]. Featured Organs

An eclectic and engaging survey of evidence of the pipe organs potential for color and variety, from recent recordings.

…a collection of ‘organ pops’, including a centenary tribute to American composer Leroy Anderson [born 6/29/1908].

…the King of Instruments speaks clearly, whether in consort with a single additional instrument, or roaring in chorus with a full symphony orchestra.

…in tribute to the Royal Canadian College of Organists, RCCO, in its centenary year, a program of Canadian composers, performers, and instruments.

…in felicitous fraternization, wind-blown pipes and hammer-struck strings again prove themselves cordial artistic colleagues.

…a continued exploration of beguiling concert repertoire from three centuries.

…Our traditional wrap-up of the preceding twelve months and a projection into the future, with aural snapshots from some spectacular concerts, reviews of several outstanding recordings, and resolutions for the New Year.

…dazzling performances by the three top prizewinners at the prestigious Calgary International Organ Competition in Canada.

a collection of unusual repertoire featuring Canadian composers and performers.

A summing up of the past year, with celebrations and memorial tributes, highlights of some exceptional recordings, and some glimpses into the future.

Performances by and commentary from finalists in the world’s most munificent contest for organists, in recital at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Every four years during a 10-day festival event, a select group of the world’s top young musicians vies for prizes and awards valued at more than $80,000. These performances, recorded by the CBC, all feature the Carthy Organ, a 1987 Casavant at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Two additional programs from the Calgary Competition will be broadcast, the second one next week. View some images from the competition: Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3

Performances by the top three prizewinners in recital at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Today’s performers were winners of the Concerto Award and Recital Award, $25,000 each, plus the Bach Prize, $5,000; the Improvisation Prize, $5,000; and the Encore Prize, $3,000. Also, each of the ten finalists received a $1,500 award for participating in this last cycle of the Competition. The next Calgary Competition will be held in 2002. A third broadcast of 1998 competitors will air later in this series. View some images from the competition: Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3

More performances by outstanding young artists from North America’s most beneficent organ competition.