A Tale of Two Cities

A cautionary contrast of realities facing historic instruments in Hamburg, Germany, and at the University of Pennsylvania’s Irvine Auditorium in Philadelphia.

Program Broadcast dates:

• November 3, 1997

Featured Organs:

Parts of the Saint Jacobi instrument, dating back to its earliest incarnation in 1516, were incorporated by Arp Schnitger in his famous 60-stop, 100-rank design of 1693. Despite changing tastes and war’s destruction, the essential elements of this organ have cast their compelling spell for three centuries, its grandeur enhanced by a recent and thorough federally-funded multi-million dollar restoration.

The 162-rank, 11,000-pipe Austin, temporary showpiece of Philadelphia’s 1926 Sesqui-Centennial Exposition, thereafter found suitable siting in the University of Pennsylvania’s Collegiate Gothic landmark Irvine Auditorium.

Music played in the program

DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE: Praeludium in g –Harald Vogel (1693 Schnitger/Jacobikirche, Hamburg, Germany) Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG 3427

HEINRICH SCHEIDEMANN/GASTOLDI: Benedicamus Domino –Gustav Leonhardt (1693 Schnitger/Jacobikirche, Hamburg, Germany) Sony Classical SK 66 262

DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE: Praeludium in D [transposed to C] –Harald Vogel (1693 Schnitger/Jacobikirche, Hamburg, Germany) Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG 3427

J.S. BACH: Toccata & Fugue in d, S. 565. J.S. BACH (arranged by Worth): Air in D, from Orchestral Suite Number 3 –Ted Alan Worth (1926 Austin/Irvine Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA) Curtis Organ Restoration Society CD-1001

LOUIS VIERNE: Toccata in b, Opus 53, number 6. CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS: Aria, My heart at thy sweet voice –Ken Cowan (1926 Austin/Irvine Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA) Curtis Organ Restoration Society CD-1002

HEINRICH SCHEIDEMANN: Praembulum Number 4 in d –Gustav Leonhardt (1693 Schnitger/Jacobikirche, Hamburg, Germany) Sony Classical SK 66 262

DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE: Chorale-prelude, Ich ruf zu dir –Harald Vogel (1693 Schnitger/Jacobikirche, Hamburg, Germany) Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG 3427

BHM: Chorale-prelude, Christ lag in Todesbanden –Gustav Leonhardt (1693 Schnitger/Jacobikirche, Hamburg, Germany) Sony Classical SK 66 262

FELIX MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture. RICHARD WAGNER: Ride of the Valkyries –Ken Cowan (1926 Austin/Irvine Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA) Curtis Organ Restoration Society CD-1002