1929 Skinner organ at Woolsey Hall, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

The pipe organ of 19th century France offered players a virtual symphonic soundscape, and this week we’ll listen to a pair of works that exploit those resources to the full. Charles-Marie Widor at the Church of Saint Sulpice, was the first to thoroughly articulate a symphonic organ style, creating scores rich in color and virtuosity. Widor’s pupil and colleague, Louis Vierne at Notre Dame Cathedral, increased the emotional intensity of the genre to embrace passion, heartbreak and rage. Nine soloists on as many instruments play the Fourth Symphonies by this pair of famous composers, creating the grandest sort of sonic experience. We’re not kidding when we say it’s as simple as Four by Four.

Ours is a pilgrim’s progress of sorts, traversing a year in retrospect and looking into the future. Join us as we take measure of the year 2003 and celebrate the art of the organ and its practitioners the builders, players and composers whose lives contribute so much to our experiences each week. We’ll play some recent compact discs, share shapshots of a trip to Italy, honor the memories of those who have passed to their rewards, and prognosticate a bit about what might come along in 2004.

Put some spring in your step with this week’s show, and perhaps even respond to the urge to get on your feet and troop around with these parade pieces and processionals for diverse occasions. Whether it be a pompous processional from Paris, or a splashy sound-off by Sousa, our program guarantees to make you move up out of your chair, fall in and straighten that rank and, in response to irrepressible rhythms and March Again.

Walking down the aisle to Here Comes the Bride is not as standard as you may think. Thankfully, whether the occasion be a posh ceremony or a simple rustic celebration, the ever versatile pipe organ can provide music for every sort of wedding.

Craig R. Whitney visits us to talk about the traditions and power of the pipe organ in the United States.

This week’s show is a convenient collector’s guide to remarkable recordings featuring American performers and instruments.

A glimpse into America’s organbuilding past, exemplified by the work of a dozen builders found in and around New Haven.

In celebration of the 250th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [born 1/27/1756], we explore some of the music he wrote for the organ, and some that he didn’t.

Exemplary scores by a titan of the keyboard who liberated the organ in ways we are only beginning to fully appreciate.

A 10th anniversary salute to Joseph A. Vitacco, a young business major from the University of Notre Dame who set out to document some of the world’s finest pipe organs.

…a dramatic, romantic French organ symphony with some of its composer’s other thoughts regarding it included.

…organists and their music are everywhere around us, as this program of live and lively performances demonstrates.

…back in the depths of history, the number ‘7’ was deemed lucky, or at least significant, and our music proves the point.

…recitals, session recordings, and concerts collected from across the nation provide a superb display of the organist’s art in action.

…the palpable excitement of live performance is conveyed through these recital appearances by Nathan Laube, Ken Cowan, Carlo Curley, Andrew Kotylo and Vincent Dubois.

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

…youthful performers, filled with enthusiasm, carry the King of Instruments with them into the 21st Century.

…showcasing music by the foremost 19th century composer who did not write for the pipe organ, Richard Wagner (1813-1883).

…the lively and lovely voices of resilient American pipe organs are celebrated by the Organ Historical Society throughout New England.

…the palpable excitement of live performance is conveyed through these recital appearances by Nathan Laube, Ken Cowan, Carlo Curley, Andrew Kotylo and Vincent Dubois.

…repertoire from several centuries exploiting instrumental sonorities and compositional textures.

…you don’t want to be left all alone when things go bump in the night in the organ loft!

…another sampler from among the remarkable influx of recently produced recordings, with music from five centuries.

…a collection of expansive and expressive works that blend organ with orchestra.