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.

Charles-Marie Widor: Symphonie pour orgue et orchestre, opus 42 [bis]

Arts & Photography

Widor, Charles-Marie

Near, John R

Music

A-R Editions

Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata brings to light the life and work of one of France's most distinguished musicians in the most complete biography in any language of Charles-Marie Widor. He is considered one of the greatest organists of his time, a prolific composer in nearly every genre, professor of organ and composition at the Paris Conservatory, academician and administrator at the Institute of France, journalist, conductor, music editor, scholar, correspondent, inspired visionary, and man of deep culture. An appendix constitutes the most complete listing ever compiled of Widor's oeuvre. Each work is dated as accurately as possible and includes the publisher, plate number, dedicatee, and relevant commentary. Another appendix lists Widor's complete published writings, other than the scores of press reviews he penned over several decades. Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata illuminates the life and work of one of France's most distinguished yet neglected musicians of the belle époque. John Near is William Martin and Mina Merrill Prindle Professor of Fine Arts and college organist at Principia College.

Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata (Eastman Studies in Music, 83)

Humor & Entertainment

University of Rochester Press

Renowned organist, composer, and Paris Conservatory professor Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) was a leading figure of the French Romantic organ school. In the extensive Preface he wrote for his edition of the complete organ works of J. S. Bach, Widor conveyed what he considered to be the essential maxims of organ performance practice and technique. Given that he felt that "the art of organ playing has not changed at all since Johann Sebastian Bach," the principles detailed in his highly articulate writings can be seen today as relevant to his own organ compositions as well as those of his circle of followers. In Widor on Organ Performance Practice and Technique, John Near translates for the first time all the statements from Widor's Bach Preface that reflect his distinctive and influential approach to performance style and artistic awareness. Correlative source material that clarifies and augments these passages is included after the translations. To complement the pedagogical material and bring a broader view of Widor's involvement in all things pertaining to the organ, his four most significant writings about the organ and organ playing are included in the appendixes. JOHN R. NEAR is Professor Emeritus of Music, Principia College. His publications include Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata, available from the University of Rochester Press. Table of Contents Introduction: "You know Bach, you know all" PART 1. BACKGROUND "Art does not know the absolute" "The art of organ playing has not changed at all since Johann Sebastian Bach" "In France we have neglected performance much too much in favor of improvisation" PART 2. MAXIMS Excerpts from Widor's Preface to Jean-Sébastien Bach-Ouvres compltes pour orgue, Vols. 1-4, and Correlative Commentary Pace Phrasing Registration The Use of the Manuals Changing Manuals Appendix 1: Symphonies pour orgue Appendix 2: Technique de l'orchestre moderne Appendix 3: Initiation musicale Appendix 4: L'orgue moderne; La décadence dans la facture contemporaine Appendix 5: Widor's Own Performance Indications in the Symphonie gothique Bibliography

Widor on Organ Performance Practice and Technique (Eastman Studies in Music, 156)

Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata brings to light the life and work of one of France's most distinguished musicians in the most complete biography in any language of Charles-Marie Widor. He is considered one of the greatest organists of his time, a prolific composer in nearly every genre, professor of organ and composition at the Paris Conservatory, academician and administrator at the Institute of France, journalist, conductor, music editor, scholar, correspondent, inspired visionary, and man of deep culture. An appendix constitutes the most complete listing ever compiled of Widor's oeuvre. Each work is dated as accurately as possible and includes the publisher, plate number, dedicatee, and relevant commentary. Another appendix lists Widor's complete published writings, other than the scores of press reviews he penned over several decades. Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata illuminates the life and work of one of France's most distinguished yet neglected musicians of the belle époque. John Near is William Martin and Mina Merrill Prindle Professor of Fine Arts and college organist at Principia College.

The last of the Romantics, Widor narrated his recollections in 1936, bringing to life his diverse experiences from the time of Louis Philippe to the cusp of World War II.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 Cavaillé-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.

Autobiographical Recollections of Charles-Marie Widor (Eastman Studies in Music, 1071-9989, 195)

Biographies & Memoirs

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Books by Near, John R

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Charles-Marie Widor: Symphonie pour orgue et orchestre, opus 42 [bis]

Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata (Eastman Studies in Music, 83)

Widor on Organ Performance Practice and Technique (Eastman Studies in Music, 156)

Widor: A Life beyond the Toccata (Eastman Studies in Music, 83)

Autobiographical Recollections of Charles-Marie Widor (Eastman Studies in Music, 1071-9989, 195)