Two Organs Thunder Out in This Week’s Concert

Key Takeaways

• Two organs featured: Hammond B3 and theater pipe organ
• Oakland Symphony presents Saint‑Saëns’ Organ Symphony live
• Composer Brian Nabors' 2020 Hammond concerto premiered
• Clarice Assad adds contemporary Baião N’ Blues
• Discount code DISC032726 offers 25% off tickets

Pulse Analysis

The Paramount in Oakland, originally built as a 1920s movie palace, houses one of the few remaining theater‑style pipe organs in the Bay Area. By pairing this historic instrument with a Hammond B3, the concert bridges a century of organ evolution, offering listeners a rare acoustic dialogue between the grand, resonant tones of a traditional organ and the gritty, jazz‑inflected sound of a classic electric model. This juxtaposition not only celebrates the venue’s heritage but also positions the organ as a flexible voice capable of navigating diverse musical landscapes.

Program director Kedrick Armstrong’s decision to feature Brian Raphael Nabors’ 2020 Hammond Organ Concerto reflects a growing appetite for contemporary works that expand the organ’s repertoire beyond liturgical and Romantic contexts. Nabors, a virtuoso who grew up on the B3, crafted a concerto that melds classical form with funk, blues, and rock idioms, challenging audience expectations and encouraging orchestras to program more genre‑blending pieces. The inclusion of Clarice Assad’s “Baião N’ Blues” further amplifies this trend, showcasing how modern composers are reimagining the organ’s role within global and popular music frameworks.

From a business perspective, the concert’s pricing strategy—offering a universal discount code—aims to lower barriers for younger and more diverse attendees, a demographic traditionally underrepresented at symphonic events. By marketing the concert as a unique, dual‑organ experience, the Oakland Symphony differentiates itself in a competitive cultural market, potentially boosting ticket sales and media coverage. This approach aligns with a broader industry shift toward experiential programming that leverages historic venues and innovative repertoire to revitalize classical music’s relevance and financial sustainability.