1992 Ruffatti at Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA

We reflect on the passing of time on our next Pipedreams broadcast. The old year now is gone and done. So are a number of wonderful musical friends whom we will honor and miss. But, we’ll also celebrate some intriguing new instruments, check up on the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia for a progress report on the ongoing restoration there, sample some recent recordings - including a disc which just won a ‘golden ears’ award from a popular audiophile journal and stop down in Mexico, where fireworks and the village band added to the excitement of a visit from some Norwegian performers.

A rose blooms out of season on a winter morning. The Brightest and Best stars show up in the “Company at the Creche.” Images, scenes, and personalities such asa these are present in our next Pipedreams program. It’s a showcase for the work of composers here in the United States, giving a sense of home and place to this international festival. Timothy Albrecht plays grace notes at Emory University, Nancy Whipkey leads her Ascension Children’s Choir in a cantata by Daniel Pinkham, Allison Luedecke and Robert Gallagher stir the echoes at Saint John’s Cathedral in Milwaukee, and Craig Cansler and the Choir of Saint Philip’s in Atlanta celebrates the work of Charles Beaudrot. Our torch lights up the manger scene in Bethlehem, and who do we see there but a circle of composers from the United States, celebrating the holiday with their special gifts. Tune in for An American Organist’s Christmas, this week on Pipedreams.

This is fair and pleasant music, grave yet rapturous, from the pen of Marcel Dupré, a collection of introspective Vespers Antiphons which began as improvisations and proved to be so compelling that he was commissioned to later write them down. On our next Pipedreams program, these and other such works by Benjamin Britten, Larry King, and William Mathias provide startling contrast to outspoken scores by Percy Whitlock, Daniel Gawthrop, Barbara Harbach, and Brent Weaver, where heraldic brilliance calls us to attention and involvement. It’s a program of contrasts, brilliant and subdued, theatrical and introspective, with instrumental and choral pieces dedicated to color and collective prayer. From the Cathedral in Mallaga to Trinity Church, Wall Street, delight in variety Fanfares and Antiphons, this week on Pipedreams.

They are fleet of foot and finger, and are the hope for our future. This week, revel in the talent of an international array of soloists, recorded during one of the world’s most prestigeous contests for young players. You may already know about Bach and Widor, even Messiaen, Middleschulte and Calvin Hampton. But soon you’ll know why they applauded mightily for Christian Schmitt, Hyun Jung Kim, Eva Bublova and Cameron Carpenter. Prizes of up to $25,000 were offered. Can you pick the winners. Tune in for Part 1 of 3 in a series of Calgary Festival Highlights.

Major works are played by some bright new stars in the organ firmament, recorded in competition at the Calgary International Organ Festival.

The Christmas image of a newborn babe brought into a cold world conjures sentiments of joy and astonishment. So it’s not entirely surprising that the music on this week’s program does the same. We celebrate the season with trumpets and choirs, as well as organs both in solo and duet performances. Join in and sing along with familiar old tunes and embrace some new music, too, heralding the good news of the Nativity. For Unto Us: a holiday for heart and ears.

Join us for a merry mingling of composer and performers, celebrating the holiday season.

Performers and instruments in the United States transform a global collection of holiday melodies.

…four estimable soloists, Stewart Wayne Foster, Simon Preston, John Daniel Schwandt, and Olivier Latry, play varied recital repertoire.

…from Ann Arbor to Atlanta, whether on campus or at home, in church or theater, organ music for the season resounds with glad tidings!

…youthful students from the Curtis Institute of Music perform at Spivey Hall in Morrow, Georgia, while their teacher, Alan Morrison, premieres a new work back home at Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall.

…an introduction to the iconoclastic repertoire and intriguing personality of a multi-faceted Swedish virtuoso for whom ‘everything is organ music’.

…composers and performers from at home and abroad explore diverse compositions in celebration of the gift of Christmas.

…from three centuries of compositions, an overview of the 'old-world' organ art as practiced in the 'new world'.

…concert performances of music by the greatest composer for the pipe organ, in celebration of his birthday and the beginning of spring.

…the Christmas festival is rich with pictorial implications that composers have interpreted with intriguing ingenuity.

…we explore music old and new, introduce artists youthful and revered, and revel in fiery virtuosity, all on display in &rlsquo;live’ performances!

…a continued exploration of beguiling concert repertoire from three centuries.

…music on themes for the season of Advent, heralding the coming of Christmas.

…soloists, composers and instrument builders all around our country celebrate the holiday season.

…our traditional summing-up of some of the year’s happenings in the world of the King of Instruments.

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

…though the pipe organ itself may seem big and ponderous, its music will have your toes tapping.

…though the pipe organ itself may seem big and ponderous, its music will have your toes tapping.