1692 Schnitger organ at Ludgerikirche, Norden, Germany

Some of you might know him as a one-piece composer, but Johann Pachelbel, the pride of Nuremberg, wrote many other works beyond the ubiquitous Canon in D. On our next Pipedreams program, we’ll explore that extensive other repertoire, which includes splendid variation chains from which the young Bach learned a thing or two, elaborate chorale-preludes, modest miniatures for the vespers Magnificat, and splendid virtuoso showpieces that show off the sounds of 10 different instruments. Joseph Payne, Marilyn Mason, and Antoine Bouchard share excerpts from their complete CD cycles, too.

From the subtle magic of a single flute stop to the glorious roar of an entire instrument in song, this week’s program explores just a few of the auditory adventures available to organists. Baroque chorale variations and Psalm fantasies, trumpet tunes, symphonic poems, a virtuoso etude for pedals alone, and a racy romp for two performers at one console are just a few of the possibilities exhibited by our talented friends. Gustav Leonhardt, Virgil Fox and several others each provide unique responses to musical challenges as we continue our never ending search for Sonic Solutions.

Hot to the touch, and hotter to hear, these compositions cover the keyboard with memorable sonic effects.

A miscellany of ‘early music’ from the fifteenth through the early 18th centuries.

Whether because of a guiding star, or a brilliant flash of inspiration, our composers make more vivid that special moment of clarity.

…a tribute to the foremost organ composer before Bach, Dieterich Buxtehude [1637-1707].

…where the sound of history comes alive in the home territory of Arp Schnitger and Dieterich Buxtehude.

…a survey of music by the Lüneburg master Georg Böhm[1661-1733], whose exemplary shock-waves inspired, among others, the young Johann Sebastian Bach.

…putting the pedal to the metal, these compositions make extraordinary use of the organists feet, which often play the music all by themselves.

…exploring the sonatas of August Gottfried Ritter and other music with knightly references.

…a selective quarterly sampling of recent organ recordings, with emphasis on the unusual and unusually attractive. This potpourri covers a wide variety of musical types, performance styles, and organ-building attitudes as displayed on LP's, CD's and tapes of foreign and domestic vintage. Host Michael Barone provides revealing commentary.

…A quarterly survey of recent organ recordings which emphasize the unusual and the unusually attractive. Program host Michael Barone plays arbiter of taste.

…A stroll past some excellent and unfamiliar examples of this time-honored musical form.

…A collection of historic and contemporary pieces on Resurrection themes.

…A New Year's sampler of recent releases.

…Probing and poetical musical impressions for Holy Week.

…A survey of recent recordings, focusing on sonic and emotional appeal and variety. This material also appeared as the Winter/Spring 1994 Fundraiser.

…Variants on the Reformation Hymn, and other musics of faith and fortitude.

…From Wales, Russia, England, France, Germany and the United States, a multi-cultural sonic celebration.

…conversations with Harald Vogel, who performs repertoire from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods on appropriate instruments (old and new).,

A sonorous survey of nine instruments by the most illustrious of North German Baroque organbuilders, Arp Schnitger [1648-1719], in celebration of the 350th anniversary of his birth.

Persuasive examples of the organ’s extraordinary historic repertoire.