Everything has to start somewhere, and on this week’s Pipedreams broadcast it begins with some alpha wavesmusic in the key of A, beginning a scalar ascent through some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s best and best-loved works. Wolfgang Rübsam performs at the Martini Church in Groningen, the Netherlands; Kevin Bowyer solos in Odense, Denmark; and Daniel Chorzempa, David Roght, Hans Fagius, Noel Rawsthorne, Jean-Patrice Brosse, Thierry Mechler and E. Power Biggs all reveal the genius of Bach in preludes and fugues, fantasies and chorale settings.
One of the delights about the organ is its virtually limitless repertoire, and this Pipedreams program explores some of that as we sample a collection of the latest releases of pipe organ repertoire on compact disc. Hear pieces by Bach’s favorite pupil, a work for organ and cello by written by one Paris Conservatoire professor for himself and a colleague, a canny combination of organ sound with an electronically synthesized harp, a quiet bluesy Arietta by African American pianist Thomas Kerr, and a sonorous symphony by Alexander Guilmant which will make your speakers rumble.
Before the age of intercontinental air travel, he travelled thousands of miles touring the world as a virtuoso recitalist. The friendly and fatherly Alexander Guilmant also taught at the Paris Conservatory and, along with his compatriots Franck and Widor, revolutionized the art of the organ in 19th century France. Guilmant’s repertoire covered four centuries, and his own compositions number in the hundreds, embracing equally sweet sentiment, intimate charm, and the glory and passion that only organ music can deliver.
We’ll offer you a taste of the best, from Pastorales to Caprices, Marches to Madrigals, Sonatas to Symphonies. With an international reputation and an exceptional repertoire, Alexander Guilmant ranks high on the list of famous French organists, and you’ll know why when you listen to his music. It’s Alexandre the Great, this week on Pipedreams.
Perhaps from hanging around in the organ lofts near those bell towers, organ composers have amassed a fine pile of bell-music.
A selective sampler of some of the newer items ‘hot off the press’, a sonic smorgasbord.
…grander than grand, these impressive instruments resonate in some of England’s most famous ecclesiastical buildings.
…musical portraits of the progressive pomp and impending peril which comprise the dramatic narration of Holy Week.
…you can’t beat the sonorous supremacy of the famous Willis and Walker pipe organs in this famous-for-its-music city.
…the collaborative efforts of performers and recording engineers, and the splendid sonorities of fine instruments in good rooms, work in accord to reveal unusual repertoire.
…samples of recently released recordings, a world-wide demonstration of organistic activity.
…the splendid sounds of organs in the United Kingdom resonate with pleasurable grandeur.
…Though organists often are invisible when they play, some recent DVD productions showcase both the performance and the performer.
…beyond the standard repertoire, many extraordinary works for organ and instruments remain to be (re)discovered.
…the splendid sounds of organs in the British Isles resonate with pleasurable grandeur.
…the original ‘touch piece’ has manifested itself in many different ways, dependent on time and place.
…a sampler of some of the instruments to be visited during the Spring 2016 Pipedreams Group Tour in northern England and Scotland.
…a selective sampler of some of the venues to be visited during the upcoming Pipedreams Tour in northern England and Scotland (May 16-29, 2016).
…a reflection on the life and work of the famous and well-travelled Belgian organist and composer, Flor Peeters (1903-1986).
…our traditional summing-up of some of the previous year’s happenings in the world of the King of Instruments.
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