An American Organist’s Christmas

Think of them as sweets for the ears. We unwrap a bundle of seasonal cheer and a coast-to-coast collection of talent on the next Pipedreams broadcast. Organists play in solo and duo at Saint John’s Cathedral, Milwaukee, Spivey Hall in Morrow, Georgia, and the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, while choirs sing at Riverside Church, New York, Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis, and All Saints Lutheran in Kansas City. In 13 different venues, our carols and fantasies all feature artists and instruments from around the United States. Wherever you are, we’ll all be right at home this week with An American Organist’s Christmas, hosted by Michael Barone.

Program Broadcast dates:

• December 20, 1999

Music played in the program

WILLIAM MATHIAS: A Babe is Born. MICHAEL FINK: What sweeter music –Jennifer Hoult, harp; Riverside Choir, Helen Cha-Pyo, conductor; Timothy Smith (1953 Aeolian-Skinner/Riverside, New York, NY) JAV CD-106

JOHN HEBDEN SCHAFFNER: Adeste fidelis Prelude & Gigue. TIMOTHY SMITH: Be Merry! –Alison Luedecke, James Kosnik (1966 Noehren/Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Milwaukee, WI) World Library CD-2922

JOHN HOWELL (arranged): The Angel Gabriel. MICHAEL BEDFORD: Hodie Christus natus est –Cathedral Choirs, Lee Gwozdz, conductor; Greg Labus (1984 Ballard/Corpus Christi Cathedral, TX) Pro Organo CD 7094

JOHN RUTTER: Nativity Carol –Cathedral Choirs, Frederick Burgomaster, conductor; James Diaz (1990 Wolff/Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, Indianapolis, IN) Four Winds CD-3003

GEOFFREY SHAW: Variations on an Old Carol Tune –Robert Grogan (1964 Möller; 2001 Goulding & Wood/National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC) Gothic G49069

JERRY HERMAN: We need a little Christmas. FELIX BERNARD: Winter Wonderland –Robert Maidhof, David Messineo (1928 Wurlitzer/Paramount Theatre, Brooklyn, NY) Midnight Productions CD-1001

TRADITIONAL: Blue Christmas. G.F. HANDEL: Joy to the World –Bob Ralston (1929 Barton/Granada Theatre, Kansas City, KS) P&P Productions 015533

CONRAD SUSA: Let us gather hand in hand. NORMAN DELLO JOIO: The Holy Infant’s Lullaby –Kansas City Chorale, Charles Bruffy, conductor; James Higdon (1972 Casavant Frères/All Saints Lutheran Church, Kansas City, KS) Nimbus NI 5413

HAL HOPSON (arranged): Gentle Mary laid her child. WALTER KENT: I’ll be home for Christmas –Music Ministries Choirs, Gary Beard, conductor (Linwood Christian Church, Memphis, TN) Pro Organo CD 7086

WILLIAM LLOYD-WEBBER: God rest you merry –Clay Christiansen (1948 Aeolian-Skinner/Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, UT) Bonneville CD-9504

DALE WOOD: Carol Preludes: Angels we have heard; In dulci jubilo; Infant holy, infant lowly PAUL MANZ: In dulci jubilo. WAYNE KERR: Hark! the herald angels –James Welch (1982 Schoenstein/Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Oakland, CA) Arkay AR6166

NICHOLAS WHITE: How far is it to Bethlehem? –National Cathedral Choir, Douglas Major, conductor; Nicholas White (1938 Ernest M. Skinner & Son; 1975 Aeolian-Skinner/National Cathedral, Washington, DC) Gothic G49095

CHARLES CALLAHAN: Christmas Fantasy –Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault (1992 Ruffatti/Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA) Gothic G49084