University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble and the at Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN.

Special bells made from old oxygen tanks for the Lou Harrison concerto.

Special drums constructed with plywood for the Harrison concerto.

Michael Barone talks with organist John Walker about the Harrison concerto.

Michael Barone introduces the audience to some of the particular sonic content of the Casavant-Schantz organ, with musical examples played by resident organist Bill Chouinard.

A Sonic Blockbuster

…in which we blend a huge romantic pipe organ into a full symphonic wind and percussion ensemble, with clearly audible results!

Program Broadcast dates:

• Week of April 20, 2009

Links and Resources:

• to some of the particular sonic content of the Casavant-Schantz organ, with musical examples played by resident organist Bill Chouinard.
• Printable program listings

Music played in the program

Hour 1

ALFRED REED: Alleluia, Laudamus Te! –University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble, Craig Kirchhoff, conductor; Bill Chouinard, organ.

RICHARD PROULX: Seven Variations on Joys Seven –Bill Chouinard; recorded January 26, 2006

PERCY GRAINGER: The Power of Rome and the Christian Heart –U. of Minn. Wind Ensemble, Craig Kirchhoff, conductor; Bill Chouinard, organ.

MAX REGER: Toccata in d and Fugue in D, Opus 59, numbers 5 & 6 –Dean Billmeyer, organ.

RON NELSON: Pebble Beach Sojourn –U. of Minn. Wind Ensemble, Craig Kirchhoff, conductor; Bill Chouinard, organ.

Filler –ALFRED REED (see above)

Hour 2

HEALEY WILLAN: Chorale-prelude, Lord of all hopefulness –Bill Chouinard; recorded January 26, 2006

LOU HARRISON: Concerto for Organ and Percussion Orchestra –U. of Minn. Percussion Ensemble, Fernando Meza, conductor; John Walker, organ.

HERBERT NANNEY: Andante, from Organ Sonata –John Walker, organ.

DAVID MASLANKA: Finale, from Symphony Number 4 –U. of Minn. Wind Ensemble, Craig Kirchhoff, conductor; John Salveson, organ.

Filler –RON NELSON (see above)

 

The University of Minnesota Wind and Percussion Ensembles led by Craig Kirchhoff and Fernando Meza, respectivel, performed in concert on October 24, 2008 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, MN. featuring the versatile as part of the International Year of the Organ, sponsored by the American Guild of Organists. Additional works by Richard Proulx and Willan were recorded January 26, 2006.

 

The repertoire by Alfred Reed, PERCY GRAINGER and Nelson is available in performances by the Dallas Wind Symphony on Reference Recordings RR-58. Also, several recordings of the (1927 Casavant Frères; 2001 Schantz/St. Andrew Lutheran, Mahtomedi, MN) are available, featuring performances by Bill Chouinard onPro Organo CD 7184, Thomas Heywood on Pro Organo CD 7183, and Martin Jean on Gothic G49257.