1894 Cavaillé-Coll at Saint Antoine, Paris, France

Behold! We bring you both powerful and poetic musings from one of the greatest organists of the 20th century, Marcel Dupré.

The traditional summary of a past year’s events, with resolutions for the New Year to come.

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

…the remarkable Marie-Claire Alain talks about the unique power of the compositions by her older brother and first teacher, Jehan Alain [1911-1940]. He wrote one of the best known, and most powerful organ scores of the 20th century, titled Litanies, and during his short life created an astonishing array of deeply communicative compositions. On our next Pipedreams program the works of Jehan Alain will be performed by an international array of soloists, including composer’s sister Marie-Claire. Jehan was the talented older brother, Marie-Claire the little black sheep whom he encouraged. Jehan was killed early in World War II, at the age of 29 and Marie-Claire has championed his music ever since, music which now the whole world knows. Mysterious, miraculous, the music of Jehan Alain, revealed to us by the woman who has championed it throughout her own remarkable international career. Marie-Claire Alain is our special guest for Alain on Alain, this week on Pipedreams.

…a dramatic, romantic French organ symphony with some of its composer’s other thoughts regarding it included.

…samples of recently released recordings, a world-wide demonstration of organistic activity.

…on the occasion of the bicentennial of his birth, we enjoy some intriguing scores that Robert Schumann composed in 1845…originally not for the pipe organ!

…though he did not live to be thirty, in the hundred years since his birth, Alain’s remarkable and original works have achieved world-renown.

…whether in pagan ritual, songs of sunshine, spiritual revival or April showers, we enjoy the sweet music…and breezes…of springtime music.

…with hymns, chorales, chants and organ solos, we reflect on spring's rebirth at Easter.

…as prelude to the next Pipedreams Tour (May 23-June 4), this selection of instruments featured in our itinerary.

…Conversations with and performances by the provocative, multi-faceted artist and teacher from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

A New Year’s review of some of the most recently available organ music on compact disc, a ‘host’s choice‘.

An autumn survey of recent releases of organ music on compact disc.

What better way to explore the composers’ and the organbuilders’ art than through some sets of variations?

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