The Flentrop Organ in Duke University Chapel, Durham, NC

Bach may have considered this piece a theoretical study and not have intended The Art of Fugue to be performed at all, since he prepared it in open score and left the climax incomplete. On our next Pipedreams program, we give life to theory, as an international array of soloists leads us through Bach’s contrapuntal maze, this music which astounds the mind and delights the ear simultaneously. A fugue too many? Not to worry, we’ll provide a map to help you listen, and hand you all the keys necessary to open the doors of mystery. How does it end?

There’s a song in the air and it’s about change. The future is just around the corner… but not quite, not yet. On this week’s broadcast, we’ll ponder the problem of the unknown, with music for Advent, including an atmospheric pharaphrase by Hans-Andre Stamm, a collection of Bach chorale-preludes, and an improvised symphonic movement by Marcel Dupré that he recorded with compelling persuasiveness in his 79th year.

On this Pipedreams program we cover 500 years of Iberian repertoire. From the 16th and 17th century antiquities of Antonio de Cabezon and Juan Cabanilles to the modern Easter outbursts of Jose Antonio de Donostia, we explore the seldom-played music of Spanish composers on Spanish-style instruments here in the United States. Trumpet fanfares from the Old Country take on a new aura played on stylish instruments in North Carolina, California, Ohio and Texas. From Cabezon to Donostia, we celebrate 500 years of Spanish Music in the New World, extraordinary sounds this week on Pipedreams.

Unencumbered by the organ’s generally sober aspect, we let enthusiasm and optimism take the upper hand

…a collection of music meditations on the themes of Easter’s resurrection.

…a summary salute to the memory of several composers who reached significant milestones in the first half of this year.

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

…during his later Leipzig years, Bach revised and prepared a diverse collection of chorale preludes that were his final testament in this format.

…selected works by composers celebrating special centennial or sesqui-centennial anniversaries this year.

…youthful masterpieces inspired by Bach, his last compositions, and other surprises.

…the resurrection theme has inspired composers across many generations.

…a selective quarterly sampling of recent organ recordings, with emphasis on the unusual and the unusually attractive. This potpourri covers a wide variety of musical types, performance styles, and organ-building attitudes, as displayed in discs of foreign and domestic vintage.

…Some college and university instruments display a diversity of Bach's works.

…A New Year's survey of recent recordings, focusing on American artists and instruments. This material also appeared at the Autumn '93 fundraiser.

…a spring quarterly survey of recent recordings.

Both early and late in life, the special power of organ music spoke profoundly through the art of Johannes Brahms [1833-1897]. This centenary tribute includes it all. In his teens, while studying with Robert and Clara Schumann, Brahms thought of becoming a professional organist, but gave up the notion as being fiscally impractical. His four early works show that he well understood the instrument’s potential. His very last compositions, the Chorale-preludes, were dedicated to the memory of his lifelong friend, Clara Schumann. This program provides a sampler overview of available Brahms recordings, many of which individually emcompass Brahms’ complete works.

A summer survey of recent releases of organ music on compact disc.

Beginning the New Year with a sampler of recent recordings.

Three players explore the sonic resources of three instruments in one of North Carolina’s most prominent universities. Visit the extraordinary Duke Chapel web site.