Widor's Toccata is the most famous organ piece composed in the past three hundred years-since Bach's ubiquitous Toccata in D Minor. Linked inseparably with the organ through his ten seminal organ symphonies and legendary sixty-four years as organist at Saint-Sulpice, Widor drew crowds of doting admirers from all walks of life around himself and Cavaillâe-Coll's great organ of one hundred stops. It is apparent throughout these "Autobiographical Recollections" that Widor was well-connected, moving with ease among the intelligentsia, presidents, politicians, royalty, nobility, patrons, and artists. A keen observer and a man of sophistication and extraordinary erudition, Widor was an all-embracing musician and notable historical figure who led an active life beyond his famous organ gallery. As permanent secretary of the Academy of Fine-Arts, he was the cultural ambassador of France for more than twenty years. Few musicians of any era have had a broader experience, wider sphere of influence, and greater number of significant and varied accomplishments. Preceded by a comprehensive Preface, these "Autobiographical Recollections," narrated in the last months of Widor's life, are translated into English for the first time, meticulously edited, and profusely annotated. The persons, political details, and historical events that Widor spoke of with great fluency are identified in notes that give the reader a full understanding of the narrative. Several appendixes and a trove of hitherto unpublished photos illuminate the text. John R. Near is Professor Emeritus of Music, Principia College, and author of Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata and Widor on Organ Performance Practice and Technique"--
Charles-Marie Jean Albert Widor (February 21, 1844 -- March 12, 1937) was a French organist, composer and teacher, and was at the forefront of a revival in French organ music in the late 1800's. The organ symphonies are his most significant contribution to the organ repertoire, and came about partly due to the emergence of the symphonic style of organ building typified by the instruments of Cavaille-Coll, with their orchestral voicing and warmer sound. Widor's symphonies can be divided into three groups. The first four symphonies comprise Op. 13 (1872) and are more properly termed "suites" (Widor himself called them "collections".) This book contains the first five of the Organ Symphonies. Included in this book is the famous Toccata from the Symphony No. 5. This beautiful volume is an essential part of the organist's library of romantic organ literature.
Charles-Marie Widor continued to develop the genre of the organ symphony in his second set of four works, published as Symphonies pour orgue, opus 42 (1878-87). The introduction to this edition of Widor's Symphonie V includes a list of the sources, a statement of editorial policies, and information about Widor's registrations. Symphonie V in F Minor seems to have been one of Widor's favorites, as he often performed it complete. The work is in five movements, including the famous Toccata finale. Had Widor composed no other organ music, this symphony alone would have assured him a permanent place in the repertoire. (Revised 2nd edition.)" --
Widor's Toccata is the most famous organ piece composed in the past three hundred years-since Bach's ubiquitous Toccata in D Minor. Linked inseparably with the organ through his ten seminal organ symphonies and legendary sixty-four years as organist at Saint-Sulpice, Widor drew crowds of doting admirers from all walks of life around himself and Cavaillâe-Coll's great organ of one hundred stops. It is apparent throughout these "Autobiographical Recollections" that Widor was well-connected, moving with ease among the intelligentsia, presidents, politicians, royalty, nobility, patrons, and artists. A keen observer and a man of sophistication and extraordinary erudition, Widor was an all-embracing musician and notable historical figure who led an active life beyond his famous organ gallery. As permanent secretary of the Academy of Fine-Arts, he was the cultural ambassador of France for more than twenty years. Few musicians of any era have had a broader experience, wider sphere of influence, and greater number of significant and varied accomplishments. Preceded by a comprehensive Preface, these "Autobiographical Recollections," narrated in the last months of Widor's life, are translated into English for the first time, meticulously edited, and profusely annotated. The persons, political details, and historical events that Widor spoke of with great fluency are identified in notes that give the reader a full understanding of the narrative. Several appendixes and a trove of hitherto unpublished photos illuminate the text. John R. Near is Professor Emeritus of Music, Principia College, and author of Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata and Widor on Organ Performance Practice and Technique"--
Renowned for his talents as organist and composer, Charles-Marie Widor (1844–1937) was also a professor at the Paris Conservatoire, where his vast knowledge of counterpoint, fugue, and orchestration benefited such students as Honegger, Varèse, Milhaud, and Dupré. In the course of his four decades of teaching at the Conservatoire, he wrote this study of instrumentation, The Technique of the Modern Orchestra, which he viewed as a supplement to Berlioz’s celebrated but dated treatise on the same subject. Full of insights and details not found in other manuals of instrumentation, Widor’s 1904 text presents a comprehensive catalog of the various abilities and qualities of all the orchestral instruments. It also features an abundance of practical advice regarding instrumental combinations and relevant works to study. This classic work represents an invaluable reference for any student of orchestration.
The Symphonie pour orgue et orchestre, opus 42[bis] has had spectacular moments in its history. In1880, the future king of England, Edward VII, requested that Widor compose a grand work for organand orchestra to be performed in London?s Royal Albert Hall. The American premiere in 1919, withthe Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski and the great Wanamaker organ,attracted an audience of about 12,000 people. Using movements from his second and sixth symphonies for solo organ as the basis for this work,Widor created a masterpiece that launched a renaissance in the organ/orchestra combination. Thispremiere edition is based on Widor?s autograph manuscript as well as copies that he had made andwhich carry emendations and corrections in his own hand. The introduction includes details about theorigin of the Symphonie, manuscript sources, revisions, early performances, and performanceguidelines. Published in full score with separate organ part (and orchestral parts available byrequest), the edition reintroduces this legendary tour de force to the repertory for organ and orchestra.
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