George Frideric 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 Biblical oratorios, one of Handel’s concertos would be featured as a kind of intermission feature. This served to showcase the 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. Howling wolf cries from a trombone do appear in Colgrass’ score, along with surging winds of a polar landscape and evocations of Inuit throat singing, culminated in a rambunctious dance-finale.

It’s all a very far cry from 18th century London, but recognizably in the tradition of Handel’s virtuoso showpieces for a master organist.