BaL 7.04.18 - Widor: Organ Symphony no. 5

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30
Building a Library: Widor's Organ Symphony no 5 with Andrew Mellor
Charles-Marie Widor composed the Symphony for Organ No. 5 in F minor in 1879. It's fifth movement, known as Widor's Toccata is one of the most famous pieces for organ, a favourite choice of recessional music at wedding ceremonies. Following Widor's example, this style of toccata became a very popular movement type in French Romantic organ music. The rest of this organ symphony is well worth hearing as well.

Available versions:

Marie-Claire Alain
Michel Bouvard
Guy Bovet (D)
Daniel Chorzempa
Peter Crompton
Philippe Delacour
Jeanne Demessieux
Catherine Ennis
Tobias Frank
Fernando Germani
John Grew
David Hill
Michael Kleinschmidt
Jean-Pierre Lecaudey
Joan Lippincott (D)
Douglas Major
Christoph Maria Moosmann (D)
Joseph Nolan
Kåre Nordstoga
Jacques van Oortmerssen
Ben van Oosten
Pierre Pincemaille
Simon Preston
Daniel Roth (DVD + CD)
David Sanger
Kristiaan Seynhave
Jan Szypowski
Ian Tracey
Knud Vad (D)
Colin Walsh (D)

(Please note: I have tried to include complete recordings only, but some listings are rather vague about whether the whole work is played, or just the Toccata)

[BBMmk2]

Thank you for the work you have put in for this EA. I am glad that the organ has finally come round for scrutiny. Although one of the more central repertory works, it's still good to have a BaL on this great work, always known better known for the "Toccata".

[ardcarp]

Interesting to see Fernando Germani on the list. It was through an EP (remember those?) of him playing the Toccata that as a young lad I first became determined to play it. Although he was organist at St Peter's Basilca, Rome, I think he made his famous Widor recording at Selby Abbey. I rather doubt he'll be 'in the running' on 7/4/18.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thank you for the work you have put in for this EA.

.

(" It's Fifth Movement"? )

[LeMartinPecheur]

9.30
Building a Library: Widor's Organ Symphony no 5 with Andrew Mellor

(Please note: I have tried to include complete recordings only, but some listings are rather vague about whether the whole work is played, or just the Toccata)

I trust AM will provide a clear recommendation for the World's Best Recording Ever of the Toccata, otherwise the programme is completely worthless

[LeMartinPecheur]

Interesting to see Fernando Germani on the list. It was through an EP (remember those?) of him playing the Toccata that as a young lad I first became determined to play it. Although he was organist at St Peter's Basilca, Rome, I think he made his famous Widor recording at Selby Abbey. I rather doubt he'll be 'in the running' on 7/4/18.

EMI 7EG 8814, c/w JSB "Prelude and Fugue in G ('The Great'). Recorded in St Laurens Church, Alkmaar, Holland."



In my father's record collection and now in mine - a potent intro for me as a teenager to the delights of JSB's organ music, fugue in general, etc etc.

But I did, and do, like the Widor

Sadly I can no longer play it (33s and 78s yes, 45s no).

[ardcarp]

FG at Selby:

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/fernando-germani-at-selby-abbey

[Braunschlag]

I might be in a minority in considering the infamous Toccata as a pretty tedious piece. It’s those predictable sequences and annoying octave doublings which does it down for me. The Widor symphonies as a group have never really caught my interest, Vierne seemed to have a more adventurous palette of ideas and, certainly, fruitier harmony.
Hopefully it might be a French performer and instrument which wins the day. Like most French organ Toccatas it needs that octave grave coupler to strengthen the sound when at the higher end of the keyboard, without it there always seems to be a lack of depth. I’d get my coat now but it’s a bank holiday and Below the Surface is on tonight.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I’d get my coat now but it’s a bank holiday and Below the Surface is on tonight.

It's still Friday, Bauxi! (Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan at that time.)

[ardcarp]

I might be in a minority in considering the infamous Toccata as a pretty tedious piece. It’s those predictable sequences and annoying octave doublings which does it down for me. The Widor symphonies as a group have never really caught my interest, Vierne seemed to have a more adventurous palette of ideas and, certainly, fruitier harmony.
Hopefully it might be a French performer and instrument which wins the day. Like most French organ Toccatas it needs that octave grave coupler to strengthen the sound when at the higher end of the keyboard, without it there always seems to be a lack of depth. I’d get my coat now but it’s a bank holiday and Below the Surface is on tonight.

You are probably in a minority as far as Jo Public is concerned! It was and still is unfailingly popular as a wedding sortie. It has panache..and in the middle keeps you waiting (with not entirely predictable harmony shifts) for the terrific restatement of the pedal tune in octaves (with 32' if you've got one). It is unfortunately over-exposed among musicians, which probably accounts for the luke-warm appreciation by some.

Widor was quite a major figure in late 19th/early 20th cent French musical life, e.g.

Between the time of appointment at St. Sulpice in 1870 and the turn of the century, he produced three full symphonies, two ballets, a number of chamber works, and some sacred vocal music. Widor joined the organ faculty of the Paris Conservatoire in 1890 (replacing César Franck), and by 1896 had also been appointed professor of composition. During the early years of the twentieth century, Widor divided his time between his work at St. Sulpice, his duties with the Conservatoire, and activities on the administrative staff of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

[Braunschlag]

[QUOTE=ardcarp;672632]You are probably in a minority as far as Jo Public is concerned! It was and still is unfailingly popular as a wedding sortie. It has panache..and in the middle keeps you waiting (with not entirely predictable harmony shifts) for the terrific restatement of the pedal tune in octaves (with 32' if you've got one). It is unfortunately over-exposed among musicians, which probably accounts for the luke-warm appreciation by some

I tend to agree but then, what does Joe Public know (ouch). One might consider it the most unsuitable extroit for a wedding. Most naves are not long enough and the happy couple would probably be outside by the time the pedal theme grinds in. I don’t suppose the royal pair who first used it had that problem at York though.
Panache? Well maybe it puts the ache into the pan :)

[BBMmk2]

It's such a pity when a composer is known just for one work. Widor was such a great figure in his time. his music is well worth getting to know as well, apart from the Toccata.

[Keraulophone]

Most naves are not long enough and the happy couple would probably be outside by the time the pedal theme grinds in.

Was it at Princess Anne’s wedding that the Wabbey organist cut the first manual-only section and began the toccata at the pedal entry? Poor Charles-Marie deserved more respect than that. I doubt whether Francis Jackson would have contemplated such a travesty at York.

[BBMmk2]

Was it at Princess Anne’s wedding that the Wabbey organist cut the first manual-only section and began the toccata at the pedal entry? Poor Charles-Marie deserved more respect than that. I doubt whether Francis Jackson would have contemplated such a travesty at York.

You either play the whole Toccata or not at all!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm not sure why this Organ Sonata is called a symphony.