1978 Rieger organ at Ratzeburg Cathedral, Germany

Belgian master, Flor Peeters, had a remarkable career. He promoted neither a slavish adherence to tradition, nor provoked any revolution, but during his more than six decades as a cathedral organist, teacher and composer, he blended the influences of Germany and France with a typically Flemish love for color and form. We salute his talents while celebrating his centenary with performances of solos, songs, and even a symphonic concerto. Tune in and enjoy the works of Flor Peeters, and some extra delightfully revealing Flor Samples.

Whenever the sound of organ music is not quite enough, the King of Instruments always has plenty of friends to augment the harmony. This week’s program celebrates exactly that situation with a collection of familiar and unusual works scored for the pipe organ with other instrumental resources. Organ with trumpet, organ with string trio or chamber orchestra, organ with choir and synthesizer and even electronic tape. Michael Murray, Leonard Raver, Peter Hurford and others call on their colleagues to play works by Marcel Dupré, Thomas Augustin Arne, Monte Mason and J.S. Bach. It’s a scene with unlimited horizons; music for Organ Plus.

No, Gabriel hasn’t arrived yet. However, you’d think he had when you hear these marvelously brassy and engaging pieces for trumpet and organ.

…a collection of terrifically tactile and telling tests of musical virtuosity and stamina.

…all the repertoire on this broadcast was originally written for some medium other than the pipe organ. While some of you may consider a transcription “impure,” the tradition of adapting music for organ performance is based on centuries-old precedents. Bach thought nothing of playing a Vivaldi violin concerto on the organ.

…the first of several program that explore the known and unknown music of this great early 19th century musician.

…from triumphal entry through trial and tribulation to redemption, a collection of liturgical and other music of ceremony and spirituality.

Hardly profound but certainly sonically stimulating playthings from the organist’s bench.

…all the repertoire on this broadcast was originally written for some medium other than the pipe organ. While some of you may consider a transcription “impure,” the tradition of adapting music for organ performance is based on centuries-old precedents. Bach thought nothing of playing a Vivaldi violin concerto on the organ.