1981 Garnier organ at Cathédrale Saint Étienne, Metz, France

The magnificent Organ Sonata by Sir Edward Elgar is but one of the highlights of this week’s Pipedreams broadcast. In it, four players, two in London and two in New England, will revel in an almost orchestral wash of color. Joseph Payne plays from the Mulliner Book, Malcolm Archer takes us to Lancaster Town Hall, Robert Wolley performs 16th century music on an instrument equally old, and Colin Walsh has a blast at Lincoln Cathedral. Experience the lush sounds that characterize organ music from jolly old England. Beyond Bach and Franck and Widor, there’s a wonderful realm of experience awaiting us in the works of British composers. From the Mulliner Book and early pieces by Orlando Gibbons and Dr. John Bull, through the proud pages of Hubert Parry and Charles Stanford, to the entire First Sonata by Edward Elgar, we prove it’s not a desert island as regards its organ music. Come and celebrate England’s Glory, this week on Pipedreams.

You know how it is, one thing leads to another. This week’s program is no exception and put itself together quite magically to celebrate the Centenary of English composer Lennox Berkeley. There are works by Berkeley, of course, but also a prelude by Dr. John Bull, a Voluntary or Fugue by Boyce or Burney, a sonata by Bairstow and a heroic march by Brewer. In the end, it’s four centuries of keyboard composers creating a melodious miscellany. Hope you enjoy the works of Six ‘B’s from Britain.

…music and instruments mostly from the 16th and 17th centuries recorded in Stade, Innsbruck, Imbach, Ossiach, and Metz. Three of these instruments were built recently, though designed in a strict, historic manner.

…a quarterly sampling of recent organ discs, with emphasis on the unusually attractive and the unusual. Our choices are wide-ranging, covering a variety of musical styles, performers and instruments. Domestic and imported LPs and CDs will be aired.

…roots organ music from the earliest times plus some modern reflections.

…impressions of personalities, picturesque locales, and the mythic muse.

Proving that even if you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, you can play old music on new organs.

Persuasive examples of the organ’s extraordinary historic repertoire.

…roots organ music from the earliest times plus some modern reflections.

…music and instruments mostly from the 16th and 17th centuries recorded in Stade, Innsbruck, Imbach, Ossiach, and Metz. Three of these instruments were built recently, though designed in a strict, historic manner.