The King of Instruments

05/31/2026

The English composer Edward Elgar was born 169 years ago this week. To celebrate, we hear some of his organ music, and transcriptions of his orchestral works.

05/24/2026

American composer Gerald Near celebrates a birthday this weekend, and we're joining in the celebration with an hour of his music.

This week we spend the hour with the music of American composer Gerald Near. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2026/05/24/. The King of Instruments is

05/17/2026

This week marks the start of the 10-day liturgical season of Ascensiontide. We spend the hour with music appropriate for the season.

This week marks the start of the 10-day liturgical season of Ascensiontide. We spend the hour with music appropriate for the season. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofi

05/10/2026

This we we celebrate the upcoming AGO National Convention in St. Louis with music composed by founders of the AGO.

This we we celebrate the upcoming AGO National Convention in St. Louis with music composed by founders of the AGO. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/20

05/03/2026

Princeton University Organist Eric Plutz will be performing in St. Louis on Monday, May 4. To prepare our audiences, this week we're devoting the hour to his recordings and collaborations.

This week we listen to performances by Princeton University Organist Eric Plutz. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2026/05/03/. The King of Instrumen

04/27/2026

Dirk Flentrop was born 116 years ago this week. To celebrate, this week we're listening to music played on organs built by Flentrop Orgelbauw of Zandaam.

Dirk Flentrop was born this week in 1910, so to celebrate, we’ll be playing music performed on the landmark organs crafted by the Dutch company he founded. Find complete information about this episode

04/19/2026

This week we focus on the music of a composer who was revolutionary while still honoring and protecting the past. We spend the hour with the organ music and transcriptions of Felix Mendelssohn.

This week we focus on the music of a composer who was revolutionary while still honoring and protecting the past. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/202

04/12/2026

George Frederic Handel needed filler to entertain audiences for his operas and oratorios and he invented a completely new genre of classical music.

George Frederic Handel needed filler to entertain audiences for his operas and oratorios and he invented a completely new genre of classical music. Find complete information about this episode at http

04/05/2026

This week we explore the history of the Buzard Organ Company of Champaign, Illinois and listen to performances recorded on organs built by that firm.

This week we explore the history of the Buzard Organ Company of Champaign, Illinois and listen to music performed on organs built by that company. The King of Instruments is a production of the Orga

03/29/2026

In the century after Bach's time musical tastes changed and organ music took a back seat to many other forms. However, composers never stopped writing and innovating during this period. This week we take a listen to some of those lesser-talked-about Classical era composers.

This week we're spending the hour with some classical-era composers. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2026/03/29/. The King of Instruments is a prod