King of Instruments

Series produced by Brent Johnson

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A one-hour show of classical pipe organ music

The King of Instruments is produced by the St. Louis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in conjunction with the Organ Media Foundation. The show features an hour of classical organ music, both sacred and secular, and from commercial recordings and from live events in and around St. Louis.


24 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
Caption: Josef Gabriel Rheinberger
In the 19th century, musicians flocked to Germany to study composition, many of them going to the Royal Conservatory of Music in Munich. Their aim ...

  • Added: Apr 24, 2024
  • Length: 01:00:00
Felix-Alexandre Guilmant
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
Caption: Felix-Alexandre Guilmant
French Romantic era composers and organists are favorites of both performers and audiences. The soaring melodies and fiery toccatas make for some e...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Apr 16, 2024
  • Length: 01:00:00
  • Purchases: 1
Max Reger and Pals
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
Caption: Max Reger
We continue our month of exploring Romantic musical giants by going to Germany and the music of Max Reger and some of his contemporaries.

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Apr 05, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
Stanford and Friends
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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This month we're exploring romantic music and composers, and we start in England with Charles Villiers Stanford, his music, and that of his student...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Apr 01, 2024
  • Length: 01:00:00
  • Purchases: 1
Easter Sunday
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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This week we feature music suitable for Easter Sunday and works based on Easter hymntunes and chants.

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio), KTXK, and WVTF


  • Added: Mar 25, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
Damin Spritzer
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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This week we highlight the work of American organist and pedagogue Damin Spritzer. Spritzer has enthusiastically brought a new awareness to some co...

Bought by GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Mar 20, 2024
  • Length: 01:00:00
  • Purchases: 1
Women Organists
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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We’re continuing our commemoration of Women’s History Month with an episode of music recorded by the enormously gifted, and very influential women ...

Bought by KRVS


  • Added: Mar 20, 2024
  • Length: 01:00:00
  • Purchases: 1
American Women Composers
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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This week, we turn our focus to home and bring you an hour of music penned by American women, some familiar, and some that may be new to you. We'll...

  • Added: Mar 04, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
European Women Composers
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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For Women's history month, we look at organ music created by women over the years. We start with music from Europe and beyond.

  • Added: Mar 04, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Hymntunes
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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This week we explore organ music based on three popular hymntunes.

  • Added: Feb 12, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
In Memoriam Charles Callahan
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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This week we remember the organist and composer who died on December 25, 2023.

  • Added: Feb 12, 2024
  • Length: 59:00
Monunmental Mendelssohn
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
Caption: Felix Mendelssohn
From the age of 11 until his death, Felix Mendelssohn played and composed music for the organ. On The King of Instruments we’re acknowledging Mende...

  • Added: Jan 29, 2024
  • Length: 01:00:00
Chant Melodies
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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Composers have been using chant melodies to create new music for hundreds of years. This week we explore some modern works all created around 4 an...

  • Added: Jan 23, 2024
  • Length: 01:00:00
Happy 2024!
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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We ring in the new year with some friends who've all brought their favorite organ works to the party.

  • Added: Dec 27, 2023
  • Length: 01:00:00
Nun danket alle Gott
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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Organ music celebrating Thanksgiving Day

Bought by WVIA


  • Added: Dec 10, 2016
  • Length: 01:00:00
  • Purchases: 1
Nordic Journey
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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James D. Hicks plays organ music from Nordic countries.

  • Added: Nov 18, 2023
  • Length: 01:00:00
Thanksgiving
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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Classical organ music for the season of Thanksgiving

  • Added: Nov 22, 2023
  • Length: 01:00:00
Music for Advent
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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An hour of classical organ music for the first Sunday of Advent

  • Added: Nov 27, 2023
  • Length: 01:00:00
César Franck
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
Caption: César Franck
It took a Belgian composer to convince France of the value of German musical ideals. In this episode we investigate César Franck’s legacy as a te...

  • Added: Dec 05, 2023
  • Length: 01:00:00
Winter Wonderland
From: Brent Johnson
Series: King of Instruments
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Winter is approaching so this week we have an hour of organ music in the spirit of Winter!

  • Added: Dec 11, 2023
  • Length: 01:00:00