Charles-Marie Widor Toccata from Symphony No. 5 for Organ & Orchestra

Charles-Marie Widor's Toccata from Organ Symphony No. 5, Op. 42, No. 1
arranged for Organ & Orchestra by Thomas Wilson
Live, September 9, 2018, First United Methodist Church, Colorado Springs, CO
4th Annual Organ Spectacular
Deke Polifka, Organist
contact [e-mail] for more information
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Overview: Charles-Marie Widor
Born: February 21, 1844, Lyon, France; died March 12, 1937, Paris, France
Work Composed: 1879
Why It Matters: One of the most famous organ works by a composer not named J. S. Bach, its toccata style influenced a generation of French and Belgian organ composers, including Jongen in his Symphonie Concertante
Widor was the nineteenth century’s most important organist, and among its most important composers of organ music. He was organist at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris - one of the most prestigious organ jobs in France - for nearly 64 years, from 1870 until his retirement in 1933. (Recordings from Saint-Sulpice in 1932, including this Toccata, show the 88-year-old Widor in fine shape.) Beginning in 1890, he also taught at the Paris Conservatory, where his students included many of the next generation’s most important organists, including Marcel Dupré, Louis Vierne, Charles Tournemire, and Albert Schweitzer. Widor will always be linked to Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, the nineteenth century’s most influential organ builder. Cavaillé-Coll was a close friend of Widor’s father, and helped the son with his education. For his part, Widor made full use of Cavaillé-Coll’s innovations, inspired by Saint-Sulpice’s magnificent Cavaillé-Coll organ. Widor ennumerated Cavaillé-Coll’s innovations in his preface to the Organ Symphonies:
It is he [Cavaillé-Coll] who conceived the diverse wind pressures, the divided windchests, the pedal systems and the combination registers; he who applied for the first time Barker's pneumatic motors, created the family of harmonic stops, reformed and perfected the mechanics to such a point that each pipe-low or high, loud or soft-instantly obeys the touch of the finger.… From this result: the possibility of confining an entire division in a sonorous prison-opened or closed at will-the freedom of mixing timbres, the means of intensifying them or gradually tempering them, the freedom of tempos, the sureness of attacks, the balance of contrasts, and, finally, a whole blossoming of wonderful colors-a rich palette of the most diverse shades: harmonic flutes, gambas, bassoons, English horns, trumpets, celestes, flue stops and reed stops of a quality and variety unknown before.
(translation: John Near)
This new wealth of color and dynamic shading made possible Widor’s Organ Symphonies - solo organ works of symphonic scale. He composed ten; this toccata comes from the fifth of them, where it is the fifth and final movement. It is frequently performed as recessional music at Christmas and wedding ceremonies, including the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The toccata - from the Italian word meaning “to touch” - is an early form that stressed the performer’s virtuosity, usually on a keyboard instrument. Its heyday was the Baroque, when J. S. Bach raised the form to astonishing artistic heights; but it virtually disappeared during the Classical period, and of the few Romantic toccatas before Widor’s, only Schumann’s has found a place in the repertory. Widor’s toccata launched a vogue for the form that lasted several decades, inspiring works by Debussy, Ravel, and Prokofiev, among others.
Audio: John Mitchell
Video: Michael Lascuola
Program Notes: Mark Arnest

[@thomasdarker2373]

All I can say is WOW in captials because I was so exhausted just watching this even though I wasn't playing anything

[@robrmartin9369]

BRAVA!!!!!! This gives me chills!!!! This has become my HAPPY SON!!!!

[@alaincelos476]

Known it since last century ,but this one with orchestra brought me chills and tears ,wonderfull people ...great music ...

[@edwinfriedl2446]

This is our tradition as the postlude (which the congregate sits quietly for) following the funeral service. We are blessed with a fine organ and organist. One of our departed saints requested this. She said, "This is the resurrection."

[@user-bq9zq6jk1w]

I've heard the Widor many, many times as organ solo. However, this is the first time I've heard with the orchestra as well. I must say I am simply awestruck. ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT!

[@shaungosling9190]

I thought widor on organ alone was powerful. But this is just fantastic, made me smile from beginning to end

[@aroncoetzee8883]

You should hear this on piano. It is smooth and calming for the soul.

[@shaungosling9190]

@@aroncoetzee8883 I will certainly do that

[@MartynSyers]

There is also a version with a big choir singing the main 'theme' with words.

[@2115Gren]

This is my first time to hear this piece played for organ and orchestra and am totally blown away. Goosebump performance. Thanks for posting.

[@MaxLuetgendorff]

I want this to be played at my wedding... seriously.

[@richardsage4020]

Leave plenty of money in your will for it if you want a full orchestra!

[@johnnylongfeather3086]

Who is your husband gonna be.

[@johnny.3693]

Wow ! About time the Widor was played this way.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

There is something extraordinary in his performance

[@leoinsf]

Here I thought the organ performance of this masterwork was powerful. What a surprise to hear it with orchestra! I personally think that Widor would have loved this. Great transcription!!!!

[@nathanaellee8356]

A lovely, beautiful, and very, very well done rendition of this great classical French masterpiece. The balance of the orchestra with the organ is superb and the blending is flawless. The conducting is also first class. This is why I love classical music.

[@alaincelos476]

So much powerfull when you sat AT thé organ and play it , strange feeling of " power" with thé bass pédals...wonderfull rendition with thé hammering bells

[@rongoodwin8636]

An organ and orchestra. A formidable musical accomplishment! Bravo! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@mikecostello6349]

Absolutely magnificent

[@wladimirmatesic2806]

No words! Truly phantastic!!!😍😍👏👏👏

[@marccheban194]

Absolutely stunning orchestration! Beautiful organ playing! This is simply beyond belief it is so perfect a marriage of the Orchestra and the Organ. Bravissimo!

[@jwow3491]

Ending of mom’s funeral. Had goose bumps that she chose this for farewell and made me smile with goose bumps. Greatest pianist/organist Madison Wi age103

[@JackBlack-dn6kc]

She had great taste 💜

[@MrSnoid-sj7fd]

Abrazos desde España!

[@julieneugene5584]

Je croyais qu'il était impossible de rendre une œuvre si magistrale plus belle encore, mais je me suis trompé, quel incroyable travail !

[@alaincelos476]

Idem ,je ne la connaissais qu'à l'orgue ,mais c'est une symphonie et l'orchestre est brillant aussi ...qui a dit que le 19 em romantic était allemand ,avec Widor ,Faure Saint- Saens,Berlioz ,la France possédait des compositeurs de qualité .

[@josephstubler4903]

ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICANT!

[@allowmi]

If you were trying to explain the term "overwhelmed with joy" to a visitor from another planet, this video would help...

[@MusicAndDogs]

What a beautiful comment! There is a woman in the front row, in a blue sweater. At the beginning, she is leaning to her right, listening, her arms down. By the end, she is sitting up, smiling, with her arms crossed over her chest. She is the visual representation of "overwhelmed with joy." That's what this music is for.

[@mikecostello6349]

Brilliant and Beautiful!!!

[@flutedog66]

Amaze-ballz!

[@christianlohmann8577]

Nicely done ✅ and every time I hear I get my personal time travel, grown up with this piece of music as my father was organist and played it frequently.

[@mikecostello6349]

Brilliant Performance!!!!

[@SteveWalker56]

Utterly incredible performance, a masterpiece!

[@imyourhostcody]

Wow!! This arrangement is so overwhelming! I can barely keep the tears back. I love it!

[@allowmi]

Widor would be pleased. I know I am. Excellent. Love how all the nuances in the piece are brought forward.

[@MelanieNLee]

Riverside Church (NYC) plays this on the organ at the end of their Easter Sunday service. Listening to this, I can imagine the women running from the tomb, ready to spread the news that Jesus has risen from the dead!

[@scotklein150]

OMG THIS IS SO COOL

[@JackBlack-dn6kc]

Magical. Love the bells

[@LouT1501]

Wonderful! This and David Willcocks's Sing with choir, etc, are truly magnificent adaptations of Widor's original work.

[@user-tv8mg2vh5f]

Amazing. I have loved this song since I was a young boy in the 1950’s when the organist in our church would play this as the postlude on Palm Sunday, the prelude on Holy Thursday, and the postlude on Easter Sunday.

[@malacca1951]

Had to chuckle when you called it a song! A song (nearly always) has words and is sung by a person or people! (Some composers wrote songs without words but that's another story!) I've played 'the Widor' at 79 weddings! I wonder how many notes that adds up to!

[@user-tv8mg2vh5f]

Good point! Guess a song does need lyrics. I’m guessing that you are a pretty accomplished organist to be able to play this. Not an easy thing. Congratulations!

[@malacca1951]

@@user-tv8mg2vh5f Thanks! I've been playing it since I was 13. Actually, it isn't all that difficult. The right hand plays a lot of notes and can ache after 5 minutes but it's fair to say that the instrument does most of the work! I once played it on an organ which Widor played - that was a wonderful day!

[@vincentiaquinta2119]

After listening to this, I bet the ole boy who wrote this would be proud to hear it.

[@enriqueali]

Always brings the house down! 😁😁😁👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@davidmcgiffin6265]

i love it

[@kensmith2282]

What a beutiful combination of organ and orchestra f ok r this magnificent organ piece. With all due respect to that "Wondrous Machine" and Maestro Widor, please take the next step and transcribe the entire piece for "solo" orchestra! Widor will come back to haunt me and not you. It is my blasphemous idea! More importantly, bravissimo for that wonderful gooseflesh rousing performance!!

[@Berta6742]

Manifique par excellance !!!

[@hermangaddy4361]

What a completely satisfying performance of this most satisfying organ masterpieces. It lets the angels fly and then Thunder, and the chimes at the end were just what we cant get from an organ. I felt I might be missing some of what was going on in the orchestra just because of miking, and recording limitations, but this was the whole meal and we all leave full sated. Thank you one and all for this delighting addition to the canon.

[@raffertybradford8286]

3:00 not kidding actual tears to my eyes with headphones

[@johnnylongfeather3086]

Incredible.

[@frederickabeauchard7905]

Stunningly, excitingly beautiful! Bravo!

[@johnpoolton59]

Totally "BLOWN AWAY" I'm tears listening to this , in my humble opinion I think it's is the "BEST" version I have ever heard . Thankyou ❤❤❤

[@misterelpedro]

Bravissimo

[@ElenaAnisimovaMusicWorld777]

great performance! The arrangement and orchestra sound great, thank you!

[@robertwilson123]

Good effort and fun.

[@mikecostello6349]

Fantastic

[@conuredude]

This is really fantastic and sounds like it was originally written as a concerto piece. Makes perfect sense!

[@agatazdebska4590]

Great! Such a different, fresh... About Easter & spring.

[@waynelutton4634]

OUTSTANDING! This should be the preferred version. Parabens a todos!

[@impression20]

AWESOME PERFORMANCE! BRAVISSIMO!

[@ladamiledi759]

it is solemnly beautiful

[@erlandschneck-holze6931]

... äußerst hörenswerte Fassung des berühmten Orgelwerks mit Orchester; wie auch das Guilmant-Orgelkonzert No 2: hervorragend dargeboten...Das junge US-(more than) Chamber-Ensemble aus Colorado- Springs verdient Beachtung, auch wegen der interessanten Konzertkonzeptionen ( vgl. Website) .. Greeting from Germany.

[@birgirkarl]

This video called me to grab my good headphones! Wasn't disappointed - Great performance!!

[@kiltlvr]

That was thrilling!

[@jobhendriksen8366]

First time I see this orchestration version.

[@rinaldozhok]

Congratulations, Thomas Wilson. It's an amazing orchestration. Chapeau! Really impressed!

[@ronstone6839]

The church I grew up at, our choirmaster (also a highly accomplished organist) would play this accompanied by the brass and tympani of the city's symphony orchestra. Beautiful. I like the addition of the rest of the orchestra here.

[@quinnriutta]

Am I the only one that feels like this organ has a very clear sharp sound?

[@margaretliebman467]

I now know how it feels to fly. Chimes add height to flight. “…..slip the bonds of earth..”

[@kennethbryan7550]

ThThis has always been my favorite piece. The symphony arrangement brings a whole new dynamic effect that is outstanding

[@bl59957]

MAGNIFICO!!!!

[@pastorben8509]

Pure musicality!!! Virtuosity!!

[@johnny.3693]

This is great !

[@konstantinosgeorgiouchannel]

WOW !!!! PERFECTION !!!!!!!!!

[@mikecostello6349]

Fantistiuqe !

[@g.antinesca]

Meraviglioso, bravi!

[@kenalbrecht5649]

Always enjoyed this piece, great with orchestra.😊

[@ddylla85]

BRAVO!

[@renedlouhy4417]

Danke. Ausgezeichnete Darbietung.

[@jim7542]

AMAZING!

[@numbereightyseven]

The bells were a great touch. 3:14

[@charleskesner1302]

Wonderful

[@briantrodden8889]

Absolutely love this arrangement!!

[@Jlm7908]

omg this is the absolute most & i love it

[@chuckbraband7526]

Fantastic!!!

[@petersuto6849]

I love this composition originally and this is a great arrangement! Thank you!

[@clydesight]

Absolutely BRILLIANT!

[@juanjosedubal]

Great!

[@AntoinneBarnes]

this is lovely arranging!!!

[@paulnoerenberg3267]

Wonderful arrangement!

[@basspoem]

This gets back the visceral thrill of the original!

[@richardsage4020]

Interesting point, that having heard the organ version so often, it does not have the same impact as the first time one heard it.

[@marinadela1361]

Wonderful bells

[@chipsanders0822]

BRAVO!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@raymondfrice]

I think the piece is so popular because it link with some divine entity in the universe!!

[@manliorovi7153]

Ottima interpretazione !! Ok

[@montresor72]

Wow! :D

[@zamarioijean4736]

Bel ensemble formé par l'orgue et l'orchestre pour une oeuvre écrite initialement pour orgue seul !

[@uwe1941]

Ein interessantes Arrangement!

[@richardsage4020]

Spectacular all right. And after all those transcriptions of orchestral works for organ, why not have one the other way round? Variety is good. Very clever to have the organ solo at the start, so the orchestra coming in was something of a shock.

[@TheSINUNDOER]

Amazing Just Amazing Pulls on my Hart, Brings to Mind old memories, like a child on a merry-go-round. Reminds my of my Daughter Adrianna She loves all the Mid-way rides Rest in heavenly peace my sweetest Daughter

[@MrSnoid-sj7fd]

Widor está sonando ahora en la playa de levante, en Benidorm

[@vog1981]

браво бравоооооооооооооо

[@kristinaandahazy2279]

Ahhhhh🎶🎵🎵🎶

[@rogerevans9666]

I wish there were close-ups of the percussionists. I also hope those folding chairs for the musicians were comfortable. Only Americans audiences hoot and holler at the end of a performance of classical music as though they were at a rodeo.

[@richardsage4020]

Yes, a pause before the applause, as in Germany or Austria, would be better.

[@WillCMay]

3:18

[@frankwagemann3365]

Tolles Arrangement, aber das Stück auf einer großen Orgel ist einfach unerreicht!

[@GreenBoy9000]

All it needs is a snare drum, bass drum, hand cymbals, and maybe some more timpani.

[@Seahorse1414]

And the kitchen sink !

[@richardsage4020]

Just octuple the cymbals!

[@philippearnon692]

Quand j'entends cette magnifique interprétation, je me sens fier d'être français et je me dis que la France est l'une des nations les plus contributrices à la civilisation !

[@RamRam5754]

Moi aussi ❤

[@mrb7733]

My next wedding song at the end

[@johnnylongfeather3086]

Who is your boyfriend

[@MrSnoid-sj7fd]

Bruckner de Francia

[@kennethvarner7694]

Metal chairs???

[@christinelombardy163]

Cette versión ne me fait pas autantnmal aux tripes que la versión originale pour orgue seule que je préfere largement

[@Paul09]

great, but a smidgen too fast.