1935 Aeolian-Skinner organ at Saint Paul’s Chapel, Columbia University, New York, NY

We march through a sonically stimulating sequence of recently issued compact discs on our next Pipedreams program. You’ll savor some English instruments from the 18th century, French music from the 17th century, an Austrian antique from the 16th century and a clangorous composition from the 15th century talk about time travel. This week, you’ll also hear first recordings of new music commissioned by a forward-thinking church in Saint Paul, taste the glories of one of America’s grandest concert instruments at Yale’s Woolsey Hall, and relive the exciting times of a popular and well-aid virtuoso. Calvert Johnson, Thomas Murray, John Butt, Roger Fisher and others demonstrate the goods. We’re Going On Record with new CDs in review this week on Pipedreams.

Old world resonances come together in new world experiences on this week’s show, it’s a discovery of colorful and unusual works on African-American themes. Noel DaCosta adapts Nigerian tunes in his Ukom Memory Songs for organ and percussion, Dezsö Antalffy transforms Black spirituals in a splendid solo fantasy from the 1930s, and Pulitzer Prize-winner George Walker evokes images of craggy heights in his new solo titled Spires. Mickey Thomas Terry provides personal glimpses to repertoire which juxtaposes light and shade with vivid result. Duke Ellington’s urbanaty, southern spirituals and Nigerian funeral chants all figure in our program of music on African American themes. We’re blending Black and White together, with colorful results, this week’s broadcast.

They’ve come a long way, from motherhood and home life to professions and entrepreneurial adventures. This week’s broadcast celebrates the contributions of women as composers for the organ. From modern day talents such as Libby Larsen, Margaret Sandresky and Emma Lou Diemer, to the once neglected pioneering energies of Maria Theresa von Paradies, Gracia Baptista and Fanny Mendelssohn, we’ll enjoy a variety of styles and textures including thoughtful chorale-preludes, graceful dances, and vigorous toccatas. Christa Rakich provides anecdotal introductions and performances recorded at Columbia University Chapel in New York City on Women’s Work and the ‘better half’ of organ music.

Rather than fugues and canzonas, try a Pastorale Dance or a March with trumpet. On this week’s show, we temper European tradition with the iconoclastic visions of some composers here at in the U.S. Lukas Foss writes a celebratory choral work for a new church, Lee Hoiby sketches impressions of his California homeland, and Daniel Gawthrop has us kicking up our heals in rhythmic response. Beyond toccatas and tientos, we bring our focus closer to home and celebrate The American Muse.

Although not as popular among organists as the familiar Sonatas of Opus 65 and the Preludes & Fugues of Opus 37, this week’s broadcast is a collection of repertoire from off the beaten path.

Part one of a two part celebration of the 100th birthday of one of the most influential and effective advocates for the pipe organ, the late, great Edward George Power Biggs, March 29, 1906—March 10, 1977.

…our annual reflection on the past twelve months and projections for the future, including some of the original PIPEDREAMS elements from our first broadcasts 25 years ago.

…we celebrate composer, recitalist, promoter, and creator of the most important organ works after Bach, on the occasion of his bicentennial: Felix Mendelssohn [1809-1847].

Imaginative composers and performers explore the varied opportunities of the King of Instruments.

…imaginative composers and performers explore the varied opportunities of the King of Instruments.

…common sense tells us that the pipe organ’s most important ‘stop’ is the room in which it speaks.

…following a centuries-old tradition, today’s organists create new music in the moment through artful improvisation.

…encore performances by Susan Mason, Becky Bruick, Marsha Heather Long and Diane Meredith Belcher. artists with more than domestic skills

…a continuing our exploration of this great early 19th century musician, with first performances of recently discovered manuscripts. [Encore of #8716]

An iconoclastic sampler of American-made compositions for the King of Instruments.

A sampler of musics by composers from Nebraska, Iowa, Florida, Boston, Chicago and New York City.

Pieces for concert or entertainment which display the organ’s multiple personalities.