Frederick Swann

Swann Song

After sixty years as a church musician, Frederick Swann is hanging up his organ shoes. We celebrate his art as he reminisces about his life experiences.

He came to prominence first as organist at the Riverside Church in New York City. This week, we'll review the remarkable career of Frederick Swann, one of the most highly regarded American organists, as he reflects on his sixty-year career in the spotlight. In music by Franck and Farnam, Clarence Dickinson and some of his own compositions, we'll hear Fred at Riverside, the Crystal Cathedral and First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, all churches with pipe organs of more than 200 stops each.

Even as a kid he knew what he wanted to do, and has done it masterfully a life fully lived Frederick Swann. Tune in for his Swann Song, with every verse an adventure.

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

• September 15, 2003

Featured Organs:

• The organ at the Riverside Church
• The organ at the Crystal Cathedral
• The organ at First Congregational Church, LA

Links and Resources

Fred Swann began his career at the age of 10. He has presided over three of the largest church pipe organs in America and has played recitals throughout the world. He serves as president of the American Guild of Organists.

• Riverside Church Organ Specification
• First Congregational Organ Specification

Music played in the program

SETH BINGHAM: The Bells of Riverside (Riverside Church, NYC) Gothic CD-49086 (www.gothicrecords.com)

LYNWOOD FARNAM: Toccata on O Filii et Filiae (Riverside Church) Gothic CD-49082

EDWARD ELGAR: Prologue to The Apostles -Riverside Church Choir/Fred Swann, cond (Riverside Church) Gothic CD-49131

CLARENCE DICKINSON: The Joy of the Re-deemed (Riverside Church) Gothic CD-49086

FREDERICK SWANN: Let the whole creation cry.
SWANN: Trumpet Tune.
SWANN: Prayer.
SWANN: The Unchanging God -Crystal Cathedral Choir/Fred Swann, cond (Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA) Gothic CD-49048

SWANN (arr.): The Queen's Prayer (1961 Aeolian-Skinner/St. Andrew's Cathedral, Honolulu, HA) Gothic CD-49092

SWANN: Fanfare a St. Clothilde (Riverside Church) Gothic CD-49086C. S.

LANG: Tuba Tune (Reuter/St.

Mel R.C. Church, Woodland Hills, CA). G. F. HANDEL: Voluntary on a Flight of Angels (Reuter/1st German United Methodist Church, Glendale, CA) Gothic CD-49102

JOHN WEAVER: Fugue on St. Denio (1st Congregational Church, Los Angeles, CA) Gothic CD-49118

CESAR FRANCK: Choral No. 1 in E (Crystal Cathedral) Gothic CD-49049