1983 Albiez organ at Pfarrkirche Mutter zum Guten Rat, Frankfurt-Niederrad, Germany

There’s no denying his place as one of music’s grand masters. Even his name provides a motive for further exploration. On our next Pipedreams broadcast, we celebrate Johann Sebastian Bach with some adventuresome early works, several colorful arrangements of his works by other composers and a few pieces in modern mode which were inspired by his example. In his own time, he was a prime mover and has been an inspiration for musicians ever since. From Alice Tully Hall to Saint Wenzel’s Church in Naumburg, Robert Clark, Catharine Crozier, Barbara Harbach, Anthony Newman, and friends sweep through the workshop and find Chips off the Old Bach, this week on Pipedreams.

Everyone has an opinion, whether asked for or not. On our next Pipedreams program we’ll argue the opinions of eight esteemed artists, each of whom has a personal view of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. I’m not sure we’ll find, or even desire, a consensus, but we will be provoked by the playing of Harald Vogel, Wolfgang Rübsam, Kate van Tricht, and Anthony Newman. We’ll hear them perform on various instruments from Bach’s time and other organs inspired by history and by the methods by which music was generally created when those particular organs were built. The greatest music demands the greatest interpreters, and we find out just how broad the interpretive stage can be when eight players and as many instruments pay homage to the genius of Johann Sebastian. The interpretive pendulum swings Bach and Forth this week on Pipedreams.

The times, they are a-changing, and these days of evolving springtime bring equal measure of mystery and marvel. This week, we muse on this transformation of life with music for the spring festival of rebirth. French, German and American composers reflect on the Easter message. Marcel Dupré ponders the unknowable, Pierre Cochereau celebrates with dances and jubilation, while Richard Webster trumpets a Paschal Fanfare for the Risen Christ. Celebrate the coming of spring with music inspired by the Easter Festival. In parish chapels and historic cathedrals, we rejoice in Resurrection Revelations.

Encompassing both tumultuous and tender compositions to mark the 50th anniversary of Max Reger’s death, May 11, 1916.

Poetic portraits and psalmists songs summon soothing images of lush summer fields and quiet times.

…trace the evolution of this powerful compositional format from its beginnings as a suggestive street ‘dance’.

…scintillating and sober songs of praise, multiple settings across four centuries of the chant Te Deum!

…musical reflections on the nature of war, in observance of the 1918 Armistice, and in tribute to battle veterans of every stripe.

…composers from four centuries create energetic musical manifestations of a timeless, singular song of praise.

…works by J.S.B., variants on Bach themes, and music inspired by his example.

…another go-round of compositional ‘sweets’ dedicated to the organ’s many moods and styles.

…what better way to show appreciation for the bounties of life than through melodious outbursts of joy.

…celebrate the birthdays of the two greatest German exponents of the pipe organ, only two days apart: Johann Sebastian Bach (March 21) and Max Reger (March 19).

…with a good theme, organist-composers can provide an exceptional ‘tour’ of the tonal resources of any instrument.

…meditations from the dark side by Bach, Sweelinck, Daveluy and Grunenwald, somber music of sadness, solace, and strength.

…though his pages often contain a tumult of notes, Max Reger's compositions also encompass magical moments of reflection and compassion.

…composers from four centuries create energetic musical manifestations of a timeless, singular song of praise.

…one of the world's best known texts provides us with glimpses into the composer's craft and the organ builder's art.

…raising the roof with soulful and sonorous scores for choirs, congregations, solo singers and organs.

…two celebrated 20th century masters, Marcel Duprè and Max Reger, left sets of seven characterful works that convey the many mercurial moods of the King of Instruments.

…publishing a set of three works in a single volume makes sense, as does playing then together.

…whether in response to the Angel’s proclamation of her divine role, or in simple hymns of praise, composers through history have celebrated the Virgin Mary.

…a reflection on the effusive art of Max Reger, whose pages may be black with notes but also colorful with emotion.

…a reflection on the effusive art of Max Reger, whose pages may be black with notes but also colorful with emotion.