An American Organist’s Christmas

Our own composers and performers know how to bring a unique and special flavor to the holiday season.

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

Week of 12/18/2006

Links and Resources:

Music played in the program

PAUL MANZ: Christmas Hymn Improvisations (Oh, how joyfully; How brightly shines the morningstar; Deck thyself with gladness; What is this lovely fragrance?; Joy to the world ) –Paul Manz (1965 Schlicker/Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN) Manz Music CD-993/921

PETER TCHAIKOVSKY: Dance of the sugar-plum fairy, from Nutcracker. DAVID CONTE: Meditation on Silent Night. DAVID WILLCOCKS/MYRON ROBERTS: God rest ye merry, gentlemen –Todd Wilson (1931 Skinner/Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH) Cleveland Orchestra CD-11009

JOHN G. BARR: Lullaby on Silent Night –John Walker (1995 Reuter/Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA) Pro Organo CD-7189

CLAY CHRISTIANSEN (arr.): Hark! the herald angels sing –Clay Christiansen (1948 Aeolian-Skinner/Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, UT) Bonneville CD-9504

JULE STYNE: Let it snow. FELIX BERNARD: Winter Wonderland. IRVING BERLIN: White Christmas –John Detroy, Jr. (Wurlitzer/Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY) Pipedreams Archive (recorded 9/2/72)

TRADITIONAL: I saw three ships; The holly and the ivy –Dick Liebert (1932 Wurlitzer/Radio City Music Hall) Sony Special CD-19990

ROBERT ALLEN: There’s no place like home for the holidays –Larry Kass (Wurlitzer) Razzmatazz CD-1998

STEVE BALL: What child is this? VINCE GUARALDI: Christmas time is here. LEROY ANDERSON: Sleigh Ride –Steve Ball, John Lauter and Wade Bray (1927 Barton/Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI) Michigan Theatre Foundation CD-2002 (Michigan Theatre)

THEODORE MORRISON: Sing for Joy! (1987) –University of Michigan Chamber Choir/Theodore Morrison, conductor; Scott Hanoian (1955 Aeolian-Skinner/Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI) Equilibrium CD-54

EMMA LOU DIEMER: Go, tell it on the mountain. ROBERT ELMORE: God rest ye merry, gentlemen –Robert Plimpton (1915 Austin/Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA) SOS CD-5

HECTOR OLIVERA: Improvisation on In dulci jubilo –Hector Olivera (1991 Casavant; 1996 Rodgers/Bel Air Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles, CA) Rodgers CD-876015 (Rodgers Corporation)

KEITH CHAPMAN: 3 Christmas Songs (Joseph dearest, Joseph mine; Infant holy, infant lowly; Bring a torch, Jeanette Isabella ) –James Dale (1981 Möller/United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD) Pine CD-103 (nla)