‘Pipedreams’ to feature concert recorded at KU

LAWRENCE – “Pipedreams,” Kansas Public Radio’s weekly show featuring the best in pipe organ performance, will feature a show recorded at KU’s Bales Organ Recital Hall.

The broadcast, which will begin at 9 p.m. Sunday, April 13, will feature performances by and comments from students of Michael Bauer, professor of organ and church music, and James Higdon, Dane and Polly Bales Professor of Organ. They will play works by Olivier Messiaen and Louis Vierne, among others, on the Hellmuth Wolff pipe organ at Bales Recital Hall.  

Host Michael Barone brought “Pipedreams Live!” to KU’s Bales Organ Recital Hall in April 2013 for a concert, interviews and commentary.

Barone says the concept for “Pipedreams Live!” is to produce an audience-friendly event that entertains audiences young and old who come out to hear organ music in a vibrant concert setting. A “Pipedreams Live!” concert has a flavor different from the usual organ recital. Barone provides verbal program notes, converses with players and audience members, and demonstrates the mechanism and sound-palette of the featured instrument.

Audience members ask questions, musicians comment on the performance, and the audience comes away informed and entertained. Formality is replaced by friendly good nature, flavorful repartee and exciting musical revelations. Unlikely and unknown compositions make their points. Superb local players have a chance to shine.

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 50 years. As host and senior executive producer of “Pipedreams,” he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music. “Pipedreams” began in 1982, and it remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. The show airs from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays.

KPR, a 15-time Kansas Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on 91.5 FM in Lawrence, 89.7 FM in Emporia, 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City, 89.9 FM in Atchison, 90.3 FM in Chanute, and 99.5 FM and 97.9 FM in Manhattan. KPR can be heard online, as can KPR2, a news-talk programming stream, which can be heard on an HD receiver or on the website.