1967 Walker organ at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, England, UK

The times, they are a-changing, and these days of evolving springtime bring equal measure of mystery and marvel. This week, we muse on this transformation of life with music for the spring festival of rebirth. French, German and American composers reflect on the Easter message. Marcel Dupré ponders the unknowable, Pierre Cochereau celebrates with dances and jubilation, while Richard Webster trumpets a Paschal Fanfare for the Risen Christ. Celebrate the coming of spring with music inspired by the Easter Festival. In parish chapels and historic cathedrals, we rejoice in Resurrection Revelations.

This week we take a listen to new recordings that represent an exceptional survey of four centuries of music.

In contrast to its preponderantly pious personality in church service, these pipe organs do know how to get out and “get down.”

…a preview of some of the performers to be featured in this summer’s national convention of the American Guild of Organists.

…you can’t beat the sonorous supremacy of the famous Willis and Walker pipe organs in this famous-for-its-music city.

…celebratory and contemplative scores explore the energy of the springtime festival of rebirth.

…composite performances of the most famous of all organ symphonies (by Charles-Marie Widor), and its somber companion-challenger (by Louis Vierne).

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

…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 collection of choral works and organ solos in celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection.

…a reflection on the life and work of the famous and well-travelled Belgian organist and composer, Flor Peeters (1903-1986).

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

…a bicentennial reflection upon the art of one of the most popular and powerful Parisian organists of the 19th century, Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wely (1817-1869).