1986 Marcussen organ at Wiedemann Hall, Wichita State University, Kansas

Even if we think we can take care of everything ourselves, all of us need a few friends, and this week’s Pipedreams program brings together the king of instruments and a variety of friendly collaborators. Of course, organs have plenty of their own flutes, but one more, blown by lungs rather than bellows, can add so much. We’ll hear also pieces for organ with piano, organ with chamber orchestra, organ and harp - now THAT’s a fine combination - and the great energy-maker organ and brass. Joan DeVee Dixon, Steven Egler, Frances Shelly, Marie-Bernadette Dufourcet, Jon Gillock and others show what a harmonious relationship is all about.

Where do the hours and the months and years go? Can you believe it? Our next Pipedreams program observes the 20th anniversary of our first national broadcast, which was way back in the winter of 1982. Believe it or not, we were hatching our plans even before then. This week, hear some of those earliest tapes, plus get a sampler of things we’ve done and places we’ve been over the past two decades. After 20 years has it all been played? Not a chance. Some bright ideas never dim, and this week we’ll reflect on a score of great music and plan for the future. Organ music on the Radio? Absolutely! Listen as we celebrate the first twenty years, an anniversary retrospective, this week on Pipedreams.

A good tune is a joy forever, but instead of repeating the same melody over and over, why not make it different? This week’s show illustrates the art of variation. Organist, Hannes Meyer toys with a European folksong, while the late, great George Thalben-Ball takes the ferocious fiddling of Paganini and transforms it into a virtuosic dance on the organ pedals. Secular or sacred, sumptuous or sometimes just plain silly, our themes provide remarkable opportunity for creative possibilities. It’s all about the altered intent, where one good tune demands another take. By the end, even you’ll be calling out, Play it Again, Sam.

As always, glorious sounds result when a pipe organ teams up with other instruments.

…we celebrate composer Ned Rorem with performances of his music in anticipation of his 85th birthday. On this week’s show, we visit with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ned Rorem and celebrate the remarkable and envigorating repertoire that he has composed for organists and choirs. Is it strange that an agnostic son of Quaker parents should write so compellingly for the church or is everything under the sun just a concert celebrating creativity? Insights from the artist with his art, it’s Rorem on Rorem.

…a review of some recent CD releases, testament to the incredible international activity or organ builders, performers, and audio producers.

…several select and sonorous scores explore the notion of ‘sacred’ from a different point of view.

…from Minnesota down to Louisiana, the King of Instruments has many exemplary representatives in the central segment of our United States.

…leading us to the marvelous Marcussen organ at Wiedemann Hall of Wichita State University and the wonderful Wurlitzer at Century II Convention Center.

A delightful demonstration of the diverse flavors of home-grown organ compositions.

A celebration of the numerous instrumental and vocal works which this Pulitzer Prize-winning musician has created for the organ’s repertoire, with comments from the composer.

Hot sounds from Kansas university campuses in Wichita and Pittsburg.

Vibrant and colorful compositions by 20th century composers in the United States, important additions to the organ’s ongoing tradition.