1992 Klais organ at the Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland

Some people just enjoy a challenge. On our next Pipedreams program, we visit with one such challenged individual, a former organist at Westminster Abbey who’s now a full-time recitalist. Just to say he’d done it, Christopher Herrick went and recorded and performed in concert the complete works of Bach. But that was just a beginning. He’s scoured the world in search of interesting instruments and we’ll hear him play wide-ranging repertoire on organs from around the world. There’s no doubt HE sets off Organ Fireworks. It’s not just concert sparklers, but the whole range of musical opportunity explored by a recitalist and recording artist who has travelled the world to find just the right sound for his successful Hyperion recordings. From London’s Temple Church to the Town Hall of Wellington, New Zealand, you’ll be delighted by Christopher Herrick’s Organ Fireworks, this week on Pipedreams.

A display of surprising rhythmic agility, proving that even the King of Instruments can “get down” on occasion.

Organs and organ music continue as an integral element in the artistic life of Nordic countries.

…reading notes from a page is one thing, but improvising something new, ‘out of thin air’, is a remarkable skill.

…hot to the touch, and hotter to hear, these compositions cover the keyboard with memorable sonic effects.

…an introduction to the iconoclastic repertoire and intriguing personality of a multi-faceted Swedish virtuoso for whom ‘everything is organ music’.

…a selective international survey and review of some of the many recently released compact discs of organ music.

…we borrow from an international collective of music old and new in celebration of the Christmas holiday.

…with greetings from England, Iceland, France, Austria, Poland, Italy, Canada and the United States.

…a selective survey of some recent and intriguing CD releases of organ music.

A global collection of music for the King of Instruments in celebration of the King of Kings.

Performances by and conversations with American organist Susan Carol Woodson, a Memphis native who lives in Belgium.

An autumn survey of recent releases of organ music on compact disc.

Profound and soulful meditations, songs of sadness and shipwreck on themes of Titanic import.

Some of the tunes depict rustic shepherds. Some sing lullaby to a tiny baby, or celebrate the miracle that comes from heaven above. On the next Pipedreams broadcast we circle the globe in search of delightful musical ornaments for our holiday celebration and discover sweet sounding pipes and choirs that sing nearly as well as an angelic host. Whether it’s a French noel, a Benedictine monk’s special Christmas composition, some humorous variations on Good King Wenceslas, choristers in England and Sweden, or instruments from Spain and Switzerland, ours is a multicultural collection of seasonal sounds, and everyone is welcome. Host Michael Barone will be your guide.