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Celebrating the pipe organ, the King of Instruments |
1755 Clicquot organ at the Église Saint-Roch, Paris, France
1988 Kleuker-Steinmeyer organ at Tonhalle, Zürich, Switzerland
1732 Garrels organ at the Groote Kerk, Maassluis, The Netherlands
Some pieces were intended for intimate living-room spaces, while others have enthralled crowds in great cathedrals. This week, we travel the world in search of seasonal treats. Christmas is coming, and we will dance and sing while listening to the Memphis Chamber Choir and a host of organ soloists from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United States, as each contribute sonic surprises of many sorts. Come along as we celebrate a Holiday International.
CLAUDE BALBASTRE: Noël, Where are these gay shepherds going? –Francoise Levéchin-Gangloff (1775 Clicquot+1858 Cavaillé-Coll/Eglise Saint-Roch, Paris, France) Skarbo 1978
LÉON BOËLLMANN: Offertory on Christmas Themes –Jacques Kauffmann (1863 Cavaillé-Coll/Église Saint-Etienne, Mulhouse, France) Skarbo 1967
MAX BAUMANN: Postlude, Es ist ein Ros, Opus 66, number 2; Pastorale, Hört, es singt und klingt, Opus 100, number 2; Impression, Es sungen drei Engel, Opus 100, number 3; Chorale-prelude, Macht hoch die Tür, Opus 97 –Rosalinde Haas (1999 Rieger/Vierzehnheiligen Basilica, Germany) Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG 315 1084
JOSEPH AHRENS: Little Christmas Partita, Zu Bethlehem geboren –Marie Giese (1972 Kleuker/Herz-Jesu Church, Berlin-Zehlendorf, Germany) Christophorus CHR 77120
GARDNER READ: A Christmas Pastorale, Opus 124 –Robert Murray, violin; Ardyth Lohuis (1951; 1968 Aeolian-Skinner/St. Stephen Episcopal, Richmond, VA) Raven OAR-650
SIGFRID KARG-ELERT: Chorale-prelude, Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, Opus 78, number 12 –Paul Wisskirchen (1980 Klais/Altenberger Dom, Germany) Prezioso CD-800.011
JEAN GUILLOU: Capriccio on O Christmas Tree –Jean Guillou (1988 Kleuker-Steinmeyer/Tonhalle, Zürich, Switzerland) Dorian DOR 90119
HUGO DISTLER/PAUL MANZ/GEORG PHILIPP TELEMANN: How brightly shines the morning star –Memphis Chamber Choir and Memphis Boychoir; John Ayer, conductor & organist (1990 Nichols & Simpson/Christ Episcopal, Little Rock, AR) Pro Organo CD 7064
JOHN GARDNER: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day WILLIAM MATHIAS: Sir Christmas. GERALD NEAR (arranged): Ding Dong! Merrily on high –Memphis Boy Choir & Chamber Choir, John Ayer, conductor; Kristin Lensch (1927 Kilgen; 1956; 1975 Schantz/Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Mary, Memphis, TN) Pro Organo CD 7169
MARIUS MONNIKENDAM: Variations for Christmas Eve –Jaap Kroonenburg (1732 Garrels/Grote Kerk, Maassluis, The Netherlands) Lindenberg LBCD-88