1995 Taylor-Boody organ at Saint Thomas Church, New York, NY

Michael Barone reviews a summer selection of recent recordings of music by and related to Johann Sebastian Bach.

Some of the most memorable presents are ones we’ve made ourselves, and on the next Pipedreams, you’ll listen to six stupendously talented organists who need only a theme to spark their imaginations, and they make it up from there. Delight in the inspired fantasies of Merrill Davis, playing for a concert audience in Prague; Earl Miller, rhapsodizing at a parish church in Danville, Virginia; Gerre Hancock in New York City; Hector Olivera in Los Angeles; and the inimitable Pierre Cochereau at the mighty pipe organ of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. All set off into uncharted waters and all will bring the ship safely back home filled with seasonal cheer. It’s the miraculous product of Holiday Dreams, improvisations for organ, this week on Pipedreams.

This week we pay tribute to Gerre and Judith Hancock, the talented husband and wife who have made marvelous music at Saint Thomas Church in New York City for more than 30 years.

Join us for a merry mingling of composer and performers, celebrating the holiday season.

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

…our annual reflection on the past twelve months and projections for the future, including some of the original PIPEDREAMS elements from our first broadcasts 25 years ago.

…concert performances of music by J.S. Bach presented by American organists on American instruments.

…home-grown performers, composers, and instruments celebrate the Festival of the Nativity.

…a tribute to the artistry of English-born organist and choral conductor John Scott, who died unexpectedly at age 59 on August 12, 2015.

…with a good theme, variation sets provide organists and composers an exceptional opportunity to tour the tonal resources of any instrument.

…whether with carols or noels, anthems or improvisations, these musicians proclaim holiday cheer!

…whether in his own country or in Switzerland, Japan or the USA, Bach’s music thrills, unequivocally.

a quarterly review of recent organ recordings, drawing from the incredible variety of new and interesting materials which are available to music lovers these days.