1970 Aeolian-Skinner organ, Opus 1476, at the National Presbyterian, Washington DC

Capitol Pleasures

…‘historic recordings’ and premiere performances from the 1982 American Guild of Organists Convention in Washington, D.C., reflecting back on some of the earliest PIPEDREAMS programs.

Program Broadcast dates:

• Week of June 14, 2010

Links and Resources:

• Paul Hume [1916-2001], long-time music critic for the Washington Post, presented a homily at the Washington National Cathedral during the opening service of the 1982 American Guild of Organists convention. His topic and the eloquence with which he addressed it, is as apt and powerful today as it was for the audience of church musicians in 1982.
• Printable program listings

Music played in the program

Hour 1

DAVID N. JOHNSON: Hymn, Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore him –Richard Wayne Dirksen (1938 Ernest M. Skinner & Son; 1975 Aeolian-Skinner/National Cathedral, Washington, DC) recorded June, 28 1982

GERALD NEAR: Te Deum, premiere –Choir of Saint Thomas Church, New York, Gerre Hancock, conductor; Judith Hancock (1995 Lively-Fulcher/Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, DC) recorded July 1, 1982

SETH BINGHAM: Ut queant laxis –Frederick Swann (1938 Ernest M. Skinner & Son; 1975 Aeolian-Skinner/National Cathedral, Washington, DC) recorded June, 28 1982

LOUIS VIERNE: Naiades, from Fantasy Pieces, Opus 55, number 4 –Brett Wolgast. JULIUS REUBKE: Fugal Finale, from Sonata on the 94 th Psalm –Jonathan Biggers (1970 Aeolian-Skinner/National Presbyterian, Washington, DC) recorded July 2, 1982

RICHARD WAYNE DIRKSEN: Surge illuminare –Choir of Saint Thomas Church, New York, Gerre Hancock, conductor; Judith Hancock (1938 Ernest M. Skinner & Son; 1975 Aeolian-Skinner/National Cathedral, Washington, DC) recorded July 2, 1982

RICHARD REDHEAD: Hymn, Laus Deo. GERRE HANCOCK: Improvisation on Laus Deo –Gerre Hancock (1938 Ernest M. Skinner & Son; 1975 Aeolian-Skinner/National Cathedral, Washington, DC) recorded July 2, 1982

Filler –JULIUS REUBKE (see above)

Hour 2

GERALD NEAR: A Triptych of Fugues. ROBERT NOEHREN: Etude for Pedal Solo –Robert Noehren (1969 Gress-Miles/St. John Lafayette Square, Washington, DC) recorded June 29, 1982

GERALD NEAR: Motet, Sing Alleluia Forth, premiere –Choir of Saint Thomas Church, New York, Gerre Hancock, conductor; Judith Hancock (1938 Ernest M. Skinner & Son; 1975 Aeolian-Skinner/National Cathedral, Washington, DC) recorded July 2, 1982

DANIEL PINKHAM: Concertante for Organ, Brass and Percussion –Potomac Brass Ensemble, Richard Wayne Dirksen, conductor; Frederick Swann (1938 Ernest M. Skinner & Son; 1975 Aeolian-Skinner/National Cathedral, Washington, DC) recorded June, 28 1982

JEANNE DEMESSIEUX: Etude in Octaves, from 6 Etudes –Peter Fennema. LOUIS VIERNE: Final, from Organ Symphony Number 6, Opus 59 –David Yearsley (1970 Aeolian-Skinner/National Presbyterian, Washington, DC) recorded July 1, 1982

Filler –GERRE HANCOCK (see above)

 

The AGO again convenes in Washington for its next biennial national convention, July 4-8, 2010. Explore the Pipedreams programs archive for a survey of the original broadcast contexts of the content for this show.

 

Recordings featuring the Washington National Cathedral pipe organ are available from Gothic Records, Pro Organo, and JAV Recordings.