Handel is the composer credited with “inventing” the organ concerto back in the 18th century. Handel was a virtuoso performer on the organ, and, as a special added attraction during the London performances of some of his oratorios, one of Handel’s concertos would be featured as a kind of intermission feature. This served to showcase Handel’s skill as an organist – and perhaps to give his singers a chance to catch their breath between sections of the full-length oratorio.

Since then, a number of composers have added to the organ concerto repertory started by Handel.

On today’s date in 1990, on a CBC radio broadcast from the Calgary Organ Festival Competition, a brand-new organ concerto by the American composer Michael Colgrass had its premiere performance. Colgrass’ concerto was entitled “Snow Walker,” and is cast as an impressionistic musical picture of the Far North and the fortitude, humor, and spirituality of Canada’s native Inuit peoples. The work is dedicated to Farley Mowat, the author of a true-life story of life in the Far North, “Never Cry Wolf,” familiar from a popular Disney movie. The Colgrass concerto provides musical evocations of a polar landscape, Inuit throat singing, and a rambunctious dance-finale.

George Frederic Handel (1685 – 1757) — Organ Concerto, Op.4, no. 4 (Simon Preston, organ; Festival Orchestra; Yehudi Menuhin, cond.) EMI 72626

Michael Colgrass (b. 1932) — Snow Walker (David Schrader, organ; Grant Park Orchestra; Carlos Kalmar, cond.) Cedille 90000 063