1958 Flentrop organ at Adolphus Busch Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Everything has to start somewhere, and on this week’s Pipedreams broadcast it begins with some alpha wavesmusic in the key of A, beginning a scalar ascent through some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s best and best-loved works. Wolfgang Rübsam performs at the Martini Church in Groningen, the Netherlands; Kevin Bowyer solos in Odense, Denmark; and Daniel Chorzempa, David Roght, Hans Fagius, Noel Rawsthorne, Jean-Patrice Brosse, Thierry Mechler and E. Power Biggs all reveal the genius of Bach in preludes and fugues, fantasies and chorale settings.

There’s a song in the air and it’s about change. The future is just around the corner… but not quite, not yet. On this week’s broadcast, we’ll ponder the problem of the unknown, with music for Advent, including an atmospheric pharaphrase by Hans-Andre Stamm, a collection of Bach chorale-preludes, and an improvised symphonic movement by Marcel Dupré that he recorded with compelling persuasiveness in his 79th year.

The impulse is inexorable, and it’s not just the organist’s feet that want to move out. Our next Pipedreams program celebrates the ceremonial and the aerobic opportunities of music in the manner of a march. Some pieces have the expected pomp and circumstance, but others are majestic, or joyous, or somber, or even side-splittingly funny. Siamese children, archers, marionettes, three kings, and even penguins get into the act, as we step right out according to rank and file. Whether stepping out to a little number by Bach, or a grand romp by Sousa or Elgar, we’ll get our legs and ears in shape and take advantage of an energy which makes you want to move. Ready? Start with your left left-right organ music for a parade. We March Forth!, 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.

From sprightly Renaissance dances to grandious symphonies, this week’s show celebrates the many diverse elements which make organ music so remarkable, and a mirror of changes in western culture. Style, emotion, compositional and mechanical ingenuity all play a part in creating music of joy and contemplation, of restraint and exhultation. Whether in folk-song improvisation or anthem accompaniment, flashy toccata or rhumba-inspired trumpet voluntary, the pipe organ does it all. Listen to newly released compact discs from around the world in this sonic spectacular.

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.

This week we listen to recordings from generations before ours by performers who knew a thing or two about making Olde Sebastian’s scores come alive.

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

This week, we’ll reflect upon events form the past year and take a look at some projections for the future.

Today’s world culture is nothing new to the pipe organ, which has been importing and integrating international influences for centuries.

Part one of a two part celebration of the 100th birthday of one of the most influential and effective advocates for the pipe organ, the late, great Edward George Power Biggs, March 29, 1906—March 10, 1977.

A continuing centennial tribute to one of the most influential and effective advocates for the pipe organ, the late, great Edward George Power Biggs March 29, 1906—March 10, 1977.

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

…music to commemorate the Christian Resurrection Festival and celebrate the earth’s joyful rebirth in springtime.

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

…a collaborative offering of Bach’s famous and thought-provoking set of variations, plus other works in ‘G’.

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

…compositions from Sweelinck to Cage, honoring composers whom we celebrate for significant anniversaries this year.

…whether old or new, with ensembles large or small, innovative music for organ with orchestra continues to fascinate.

…a visit to Memorial Church to hear the new gallery organ by C. B. Fisk, the renewed 1930 Skinner organ in Appleton Chapel, and some historic resonances of instruments from the past.

…a collection of previously unheard recital performances from the Pipedreams Archive.

…a colorful collection of compositions involving the pipe organ with other instrumentalists.

…performance styles over the years have changed, but the genius of J. S. B. remains a constant.

…the delightful and sun-shiney music of the gifted Spanish virtuoso and priest, Padre Antonio Soler.