This piece, commissioned by the 2022 AGO National Convention in Seattle, uses plainchant from the Requiem to honor Jean Langlais, teacher and friend of composer George Baker. Its subtitle is "Threnody for the Heartbeat of Humanity," remembering the great suffering and death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Le Tombeau de Jean Langlais

Stephen Tharp plays George Baker's Variations on 'Rouen' at the historic organ of St-Sulpice Church in Paris, France

Rouen St-Sulpice

Selections recorded on four different sample sets using Hauptwerk. Masterworks 331 (MW331) and Paramount Organ Works P320, P332 and P450.

LOST MW331

Tuba Tune Royale was commissioned by Frederick Swann to honor his colleague, John Wright, upon his retirement as Director of Music at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Palm Desert, California. Sadly, our beloved Fred Swann passed away from cancer exactly one week before the piece’s premiere at St. Margaret’s on November 20, 2022. Fortunately, composer George Baker recorded the work for Fred, who said he “loved the piece!” Stylistically, it has a distinctively early 20th century British feel. It is written in Eb Major (as is Bach’s great Prelude and Fugue, BWV 552) and contains two complementary themes: the main tuba theme, and a more lyrical second theme. The piece is appropriate for any festive occasion. The score is available at www.baroquenotesmusic.com.

TubaTune Royale

A little Scott Joplin on a 1925 Style T Estey reed Organ

CHRYSANTHEMUM RAG

Bach's "Jig" Fugue BWV 577 from 1976, when I was but a lad of 25. Its subject was the inspiration for my Toccata-Gigue on the Sussex Carol. The late Sir Stephen Cleobury liked the piece and recommended to his organ scholar, who was kind enough to use it as the second closing voluntary in the 2009 Lessons and Carols at King's College Chapel in Cambridge.

JSB 577 (Fugue in G Major "à la Gigue" for organ

Ken Cowan performs George Baker's L'Envoi at Rice University, Houston, Texas

G Baker - -L'Envoi

Stephen Tharp plays George Baker's Danse Diabolique live in concert at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago

George Baker--Danse Diabolique

Johann Vexo plays George Baker's Variations on 'Rouen' at Notre-Dame de Paris--recording from a live concert on October 7, 2014

J Vexo Plays Variations On Rouen

This piece was written for Stephen Tharp as a concert étude. It is extremely difficult technically. There are several themes, including the blues scale, jazz harmonies, the Dies Irae plainchant, and the old American hymn tune 'Foundation.' They are combined into a fast jig-like danse. This recording is live from Tharp's concert at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, on November 18, 2016.

LOST MW331

GregoryScottDeSantis