1968 Harrison organ at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England, UK

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.

This week’s broadcast is a meditation on that ever necessary, always powerful, inscrutible yet marvelous energy we call love. The choir of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, sings of the love of God for humankind. Bach and his favored pupil Krebs lovingly decorate Lutheran hymns based on themes of loving kindness. Virgil Fox plays of love’s dream, and other composers explore the range of love as evidenced in folk songs, oratorios and operas. It is a wondrous thing, a power that transports us beyond the mundane and opens new worlds of expression and experience. From folk tunes and hymns, art song and opera, our performers draw upon upon rich resource of music to sooth the soul.

Inspired fantasies based on the 16th century psalm-tune by Louis Bourgeois.

From England’s famous and historic King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, performances plus conversation with organist/choirmaster Stephen Cleobury.

Poetic portraits and psalmists songs summon soothing images of lush summer fields and quiet times.

Three contemporaries, a German, an Englishman and an American, embraced the pipe organ in divergent yet harmonious ways.

…instruments historic and modern in rooms where royalty communed and consorted.

…special music from around the globe amplifies and illuminates the good tidings of Christmas.

…Though organists often are invisible when they play, some recent DVD productions showcase both the performance and the performer.

…a sampler of instruments old and new (and performers youthful and mature) as prelude to the Spring 2012 Pipedreams Tour in the UK.

…beyond the pipe organ’s own resources, the sounds of additional trumpets, trombones and horns lend an extra dimension to the sonic spectrum.

…glorious sounds resound in historic buildings, testament to the richness of a centuries-old musical art.

…a sesquicentennial salute to turn–of–the–(19th)–century recitalist, composer and teacher, Horatio Parker (9/15/1863–12/18/1919)

…a select survey of some sacred music written by one of the 20th century’s most honored composers, Benjamin Britten, on the hundredth anniversary of his birth.

…choirs and organists share a bountiful repertoire drawn from many years of the British holiday tradition.

…after more than three decades as director of the Choir of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury knows his job and still keeps on his toes as an organ soloist!

…raising the roof with soulful and sonorous scores for choirs, congregations, solo singers and organs.

…whether fiery demonstrations of tactile agility or thoughtful meditations on cosmic principals, this genre provides a touchstone for the organist’s art.

…whether in a poetic vision or an emotional sensibility, regardless of the time of day, sometimes a nocturnal impression provides exactly the right mood.

…a centenary tribute to one of America’s most original composers, and profoundly influential musicians, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990).

…picturesque evocations of the first Christmas, including the extraordinary music of Olivier Messiaen.

…a multi-national celebration of the Nativity Festival with music old and new.

…the resurrection theme has inspired composers across many generations.

…uplifting music for the Feast of the Ascension.