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Celebrating the pipe organ, the King of Instruments

1980 Klais organ at Altenberg Cathedral
1980 Klais organ at Altenberg Cathedral

Partita Time

Our next Pipedreams program explores the matter of multiples, those collections of musical movements which fall under the term partita. They might be variations on a chant theme, psalm tune or popular song, or just a suite of delicious diversions. In every case they give the player an ordered opportunity to strut their stuff and us the chance to hear the lovely colors of which fine pipe organs are capable.

At cathedrals in Altenberg and Saint Louis, or village churches in Kiedrich or Zella-Mehlis, though the addresses are unusual, the sonic surprises are of top quality. Investigate the entertaining and honorable tradition of keyboard variations, good tunes all dressed up with somewhere to go. Klaas Bolt, Mary Beth Bennett, Joseph Payne, and Philip Crozier set out the refreshments for a fun affair, as we get ready for Partita Time, this week on Pipedreams.

Program Broadcast dates:

Links and Resources:

Music played in the program

GEORG BÖHM: JOHANN LUDWIG KREBS/KLAAS BOLT: Partita Variations on Psalm 42, Freu dich sehr, O meine SeeleKlaas Bolt (1743 Hinsz/Bovenkerk, Kampen, The Netherlands) Lindenberg LBCD-97

GIROLAMO FRESCOBALDI: Partite 11 sopra l’Aria de Monicha –Massimo Nosetti (1981 Zanin/Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Spilimbergo, Italy) Syrius CD-141304

MARY BETH BENNETT: Partita, Veni Creator Spiritus –Mary Beth Bennett (1949 Kilgen; 1997 Wicks/Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, MO) World Library CD-2930

J.S. BACH: Partite diverse sopra il corale Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, S. 770 –Gerhard Weinberger (1779 Rommel/St. Blasii Church, Zella-Mehlis, Germany) cpo 999 653

JOHANN PACHELBEL: Aria tertia, Variations in F, from Hexachordum Apollinis –Joseph Payne (1653 Kirchner/St. Valentine & Dionysius Church, Kiedrich, Germany) Centaur CD-2353

WILLIAM MATHIAS: Partita, Opus 19 –Philip Crozier (1980 Klais/Altenberger Dom, Germany) IFO 00 056

Filler –GUY BOVET: Hamburger TotentanzJohn Scott (1928 Welte; 1964 Möller; 1983 Gould & Sons/Episcopal Cathedral of St. Mark, Minneapolis, MN) Pipedreams PD CD-1002

The term partita came into use in Italy late in the 16th century. It can mean ‘a set of variations’, ‘a suite of dance movements’, or ‘a group of diverse pieces’ take your pick.

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