1971 Gonzalez organ at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Chartres, France

A good tune is a joy forever, but instead of repeating the same melody over and over, why not make it different? This week’s show illustrates the art of variation. Organist, Hannes Meyer toys with a European folksong, while the late, great George Thalben-Ball takes the ferocious fiddling of Paganini and transforms it into a virtuosic dance on the organ pedals. Secular or sacred, sumptuous or sometimes just plain silly, our themes provide remarkable opportunity for creative possibilities. It’s all about the altered intent, where one good tune demands another take. By the end, even you’ll be calling out, Play it Again, Sam.

The Christmas image of a newborn babe brought into a cold world conjures sentiments of joy and astonishment. So it’s not entirely surprising that the music on this week’s program does the same. We celebrate the season with trumpets and choirs, as well as organs both in solo and duet performances. Join in and sing along with familiar old tunes and embrace some new music, too, heralding the good news of the Nativity. For Unto Us: a holiday for heart and ears.

Come along with us, no passport necessary, as we take a whirlwind tour of a few remarkable destinations in France.

…a 35th anniversary tribute to Diane Bish, First Lady of the Pipe Organ in the USA.

…following a centuries-old tradition, today’s organists create new music in the moment through artful improvisation.

…Tribute to Tournemire

…Musical as well as political attitudes changed when the Bastile fell.

…A tribute to the unique genius of early 20th century musician Jehan Alain, with comments from his famous sister and one of his many admirers and advocates, James Kibbie.

…A disparate grouping of mostly unusual opportunities for the acoustic embellishment of your June nuptials.