Widor Toccata at Cathedral Basilica in Newark

Frederick Hohman plays the popular Toccata from the Fifth Organ Symphony in F, Op 42 #1, by Charles-Marie Widor on the Schantz pipe organ at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey USA
This performance of Widor's Toccata from the Fifth Organ Symphony is found on the CD recording from PRO ORGANO entitled "A Couple of French Fifths" - Pro Organo CD 7021. This recording contains the complete Widor's Fifth Symphony as well as the complete Fifth Organ Symphony of Louis Vierne. To access details, link to www.zarex.com/bin and enter 7021 in the Search Box.
The complete 30-minute Midnight Pipes video is also available from www.zarex.com.bin . To access details on this video, enter 9018 in the Search Box.
The organ at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart was originally built and installed in the 1950s by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio www.schantzorga... . In 1989, renovations were made, which included a new 4-manual console located in the Chancel of the Cathedral, which is seen in this video. Frederick Hohman was engaged as a featured organist in the dedication program of this organ in 1990, when he appeared with orchestra in Jongen's Symphonie Concertante before a capacity audience.
Frederick Hohman's website is: www.frederickho...

[@easyTaff]

My Dad (a church organist) had to learn this after Princess Margaret's wedding because all the local brides wanted it. He could only dream of playing it this well but I loved to sit with him at the organ while he played. It made me so proud of him.

[@josh1991adamson]

this song makes me cry everytime i hear it and as an 18year old boy thats not normally a good think but my grandparents loved it and it was played at thier funerals and it gets me everytime, beautiful

[@tallandhandsome29]

I am sitting here marvelling at the skill of the composer, the brilliance of the playing and the craftmanship of the organ builder. What an absolute treat this is.

[@wmier2]

I was at the Cathedral where this was played on Easter Sunday and the organist played this song right after the mass...it was just magnanimous!

[@bushmistress]

This is abolutely wonderful! Memories of my wedding day in a small English church, a fantastic pipe organist playing this piece as I walked out with my new husband. Thing was, I remember wanting to stay to sit and listen!

[@joelucas6195]

It is nice to know that one organist can give so much pleasure to so many people.I enjoy listening to this piece very often

[@MarkAnthonyNicholson]

Truly a masterpiece of technical prowess, musicality and artistry. It is a rare pleasure to hear this so well played on such a great instrument. A huge compliment to the organist, the composer and the organ builder. The 32 foot pipes are very demanding on the organ's wind reserves, so big up to the organ builder -- this beautiful instrument kept up flawlessly. The 32 foot pipes also take time to sound given the amount of air required. The timing and clarity of the notes and in particular the pedals are testament to the organist’s and the organ builder’s skills. This is the first time I've heard this piece played at the correct tempo. Diane Bish plays it way too fast! This rendition brought a tear to my eye -- sheer majesty. The pedals need time for their sheer majesty.

[@normandowne3446]

I never ceased to be amazed at this work - how it captures the imagination in the immensity and intensity of its power.

[@hawaiidispenser]

Something about this piece makes me cry. It's haunting, but awe-inspiring too. One of my very favorite organ pieces of all time.

[@lilypondlane]

My favorite rendition of this spectacular piece. Thank you, Frederick Hohman.

[@tazio2]

You're talking pure genius here ...would love to hear this man play it live .. to die for

[@wljmrbill]

by far one of the best performances of this piece I believe I have heard in some time.articulate and smooth with that little touch of needed staccato.

[@brihath]

I love the Widor 5th! And this organist is playing it from memory! Cool!

[@SarahMDGal]

This performance is so amazing!!! I heard a recording of it played by the late Jeanne Demessieux 30 years ago, and it truly reminded me of her. His lithe, airy, and fluid playing of it would make Widor very proud!!! Well Done!!!

[@chriswhitelaw3126]

Oh Thank GOD! FInally someone who doesn't treat this piece as a Formula 1 race! The full majesty of that pedal line needs time. There are some serious demands made on the wind reserves of an organ for this piece, and those 32ft reeds need time to speak sometimes. Bravo!

[@UncleBrommel]

When I listen to this music, the world stops around me. It is so beautiful!! I think, if God would create music, he would have created this!!!!

[@johnferguson8993]

A brilliant performance of the Master work at just the right tempo.

[@emeryja23]

so beautiful and so amazing. the talent that organists have is so uplifting. i have nothing but respect for those who play the organ so effortlessly. bravo!

[@TwistedSisterMister]

So beautiful, and so beautifully done! Hats off to Mr. Hohman for making my heart leap with his uncanny performance.

[@tallandhandsome29]

Marvellous. This has always been one of my favourite pieces of music of any genre and the posting is particularly welcome because we get to see this talented player in action, as well as the venue in which it was played and some context too. A small point, but thanks too for not cutting off the video at the end as so many do. the way the final two chords die away into the interior of the Cathedral is just magical and finishes the piece off beautifully.

[@albertpeckham9515]

Wow! This fine musician has the control and the passion for this composition. I admire his reserve in not rushing the notes but keeps his tempi intact. Congratulations for a wonderful performance.

[@Phoebe13ism]

I`m no expert .Just love this piece. It makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand up and a shiver down the spine every time.

[@GarethWonfor]

Had this to go out to at our wedding 12 years ago, such an epic version. Super talented playing - thanks for posting!

[@philbertherndon5909]

This is the best I have ever heard of this popular organ work. The pedal is very clear and you can actually distinguish the notes on the swell organ. It also is not rushed which allows for the greater enjoyment of the music.

[@philbertherndon5909]

Merci

[@Organsk8er]

One of the most musical performances of this piece I think I've ever heard! Simply spectacular!

[@CNMS501]

THANK YOU, Mr. Hohman! To God be the glory!!!

[@pearlblues3665]

I think Widor himself would be pleased with this version. Bravo!

[@487409c]

This is the one recital, I keep coming back to. A truly great rendition!

[@michaeldenton5769]

This is truly an amazing performance. Wonderfully played...and all from memory! Bravo good sir! I first heard this piece when I was about 11 yrs old played by Simon Preston for the Royal wedding of one of the Princesses way back in 1960. It has been my favourite piece since then and I'm now 66! All I can play of this is a few of the opening chords....lol

[@OneEyePI]

I have to agree with organist12345, this is a beautiful recital. The registration of the pedal stops at 03:34 is absolutely perfect for the piece and the instrument. With the greatest respect, sometimes American organists overcook the pedal part and spoil this and other pieces, but this was wonderful from start to finish. 5 stars!

[@Palestrina50]

At last, a performance of the Toccata that isn't a race to the end!

[@peter41203]

One of my very FAVORITE pieces of organ work. My GrandDad played this quite often for postludes at my church I grew up in. He played this the best, imo. Love it!

[@fanniandwads]

The organist at our wedding couldn't manage this but I have now planned this wonderful music for my funeral.

[@MelosAntropon]

Magnificent. You gotta love an organist who adapts his touch to the acoustic of the room - which he does beautifully here!

[@soprano2k]

Bravo! Flawless work. Thank you for doing such a superb job with my all-time favorite organ piece ... and for sharing it with the rest of us. This is so very inspirational. What a fabulous instrument and stunning surroundings! I can imagine the great music that is being made there.

[@marelicainavokado]

This is the best version I've found here on KZbin. It's just the right speed and you can actually hear the music. Other versions are either too fast or the tones get drowned in one loud mess.

[@hitidesin]

WOW... this IS just about the best tempo! It IS, simply put, fantastic playing of the old warhorse we love 'till death!

[@mickwable]

Solid. This chap makes it alive. Without taking it too fast.

[@iamrepete]

Not only does Frederick Hohman play brilliantly,he produces and engineers recordings that I should think are the envy of many.Favorite moment in this one is at 3:48 when both feet start playing octaves- if you ever get the chance to see Fred live,do it!

[@rickmiller462]

Hats off to Schantz and the young man. The 32 foot stops had time to speak clearly. This is the very best performance of the Widor.

[@sttommore]

Sometimes it is simply wrong to click the 'dislike' button on a video. This is one of those times.

[@KGAMDJ]

Excellent, this could not have been played any better. Perfect timing, skill and registration. Thank You for a truly emotional and enjoyable experience!

[@mauriceallheilig7117]

Toute la magnificence, la puissance, et le respect pour cette œuvre magistrale.

[@patriciagunnell8374]

Stunning. No other words for it.

[@Bettiem44]

Power, passion and precision. Now I have to go somewhere to have a good cry.

[@hilarylewis7017]

I chose this piece as the one I would have played at my funeral because it is absolutely wonderful. Frederick thank you so much for your rendition. HAL

[@timcushing4566]

This piece is amazingly well done - one of my favorites organ pieces. I agree - it's not rushed and the distinction with the notes is awesome.

[@zappapeppe]

still can't get over this guy, leaves me in awe

[@midnightpipes]

The pedalboard is 32 notes, spanning two and one-half octaves. Low C to High G. This range appears to be a modern standard compass, at least in America. Many pedalboards, especially those in Europe and UK have 30 notes... low C to high F. The lens on the pedal camera does make it look big, I will admit! Thanks for writing. - FH

[@willoooooooob9]

I have to agree with Gregory Awarski..."it blows my mind every time I hear it". Such an awesome piece. so dynamic...!!

[@franknebula]

this is how it is written to be played brilliant

[@thomasskuzinski3522]

Best version of this I ever heard on youtube. Perfect tempo and wonderful clarity.

[@Boneyardbound]

I love the sound of every note being played...

[@roberttv]

Absolutely stunning! I agree with Thomas (below)... best version of this I've ever heard, not just on KZbin, but anywhere. Your playing is brilliant. To finally hear this piece played at a tempo that makes sense considering the acoustics and articulation (and honoring the composer's wish) is SO musical and SO refreshing. I would love to hear you play a full recital someday, Mr. Hohman. You are a magnificent musician. Thank you.

[@mattd5147]

amazing talent this gentleman has. wonderful music too.

[@WreckOfLamb]

Search "Ch. M. Widor" to hear the composer play this. This is the most majestic organ composition ever written.

[@bradleypianoman]

I wish I could explain the way this song makes me feel.

[@Nephlyria]

a tear was swelling to my eye.

[@deejaytee5481]

A brilliant interpretation! The tempo was right, the phrasing was right, all in all pretty much faultless. I'm sure Widor would've been proud of that! (Somewhere up there he's smiling!)

[@jmdeheredia]

je découvre cette oeuvre magistrale et sans égal !!! c'est un déferlement sonore d'une rare intensité avec ce thème obsédant !!! sans fuite possible, on est appréhendé par cette émotion que seul l'orgue peut donner !!! c'était un grand compositeur , ayant connu St Saens et bien d'autres grands de la musique !!! merci pour cet espoir que procure cet univers sonore complet !!! et infini !!! il y a de la conception de l'univers !!! ce pourrait ètre un sublime support sonore pour un chef d'oeuvre cinématographique !!!

[@music4ron774]

This is fantastic! Registration, tempo and clarity are all excellent. Another big difference compared to other recordings is his smooth transition from one major section to another and when changing stops. In some recordings the organist either slows down or takes a momentary break between sections.

[@ehought]

Silver and gold turned to music. Magnificent.

[@jonesorg]

For the first time heard the Toccata at a good pace! And to play this exquisitely from memory - wow! Simply wow! This made my day today! :-)

[@bethfeisel3711]

Splendid performance of this piece. Right tempo, crisp technique--heavenly! Used this for my wedding recessional 28 years ago; it was perfect although my mom hated it!

[@NYC10025UWS]

Wow! Just amazing. Thank you for this superb performance,

[@VallaMusic]

have to chime in and agree - a most satisfying aural experience in every aspect of a great work that often gets rushed or muddled up

[@midnightpipes]

Thanks for writing. I've often aspired to play at the Royal Albert Hall, but I've toured very little in the UK, and have not yet tried to get a booking there. With your encouragement, I realize perhaps I should see what I can arrange. Feel free to forward my contact info, website, etc to anyone you know who might be interested in helping make the arrangements. With thanks and best wishes, Fred H.

[@HoeeSayy]

I wonder what it was like to be Hohman when he played this... Being able to masterfully play a piece as hard as the widor toccata. Gives me goosebumps just listening to it, so I can only imagine how one feels actually playing this.

[@octavegeigen4]

Wonderful performance Mr. Hohman! Your rendition of this magnificent Toccata has taught me the tempo at which I will play this piece for my cousin's wedding recessional in September. Bravo!

[@flyurway]

Saw him many years back when he performed on a decent organ we have nearby in a little podunk town. Really nice guy I remember. I bought that CD that they plug in this video (French 5ths) and had him sign it for me.

[@unequally-tempered]

Nice and crisp . . . Brilliant!

[@Towndrunk26er]

Such a treat to hear this played so well.

[@midnightpipes]

Thanks for writing. The funny answer is that you need 4 in case the other 3 break! By tradition, each division of a pipe organ has had its own keyboard. You play all divisions at once (as on this video) by coupling the divisions together. On a mechanical action organ, often the keys of all keyboards move when coupled together. Here, the action is electro-pneumatic, hence no phantom key movement. By placing various sounds on each keyboard (division) one can easily make tonal contrasts. -FH

[@gleitma1]

Best recording on KZbin!

[@Mr05241948]

Very beautifully played on this magnificent instrument.

[@flyurway]

I met this guy a couple years back when he did a recital in nearby Lyons NY...small upstate NY village, ironically, about 5 miles from NEWARK, NY, lol! Just a great organist and really nice guy. Of course, I had to buy the CD they mention in this vid and he was happy to autograph it!

[@mrspenn1611]

excellent playing and the end cadence was spot on.....

[@mudgebauer]

This is still the best recording of this piece on KZbin, even though Gert Van Hoef does a nice one too, this is still the best.

[@thomasdeserranno]

Les Allemands ont la "Toccata in d-minor" et les Français ont leur "Toccata in F-Major"! Oui, sans doute l'une des plus belles versions de cette toccata, toujours avec votre immense talent Mr. Hohman, talent dont je suis grand admirateur. Je joue régulièrement vos transcriptions du Nutkracker en concert (en Belgique et en France) et croyez bien qu'elles rencontrent un très très grand succès. Si vous me lisez, soyez-en remercié, et pour tout ce que vous apportez de beau dans le monde de l'orgue!

[@AltairEgoX]

This is one of my fave Songs for organ! Its takes me back...I mean i was that kid at 12 listening to this in an inner City enivron

[@NSA66]

One of the most imaginatively registered recordings of the Widor I've come across. Nice to hear the slightly more strident swell reeds raising their heads above the chorus. I liked this a lot. Thanks.

[@jcanderson74]

this is the MOST beautiful ever! love so much, thank you all!!

[@ZaCelebrit]

A wonderful version of this amazing piece of music. Very well performed 😇

[@trenoespresso]

Of course the best Widor toccata on you tube!Thank you!

[@logica10]

Outstanding!!! Excellent bass, tempo, any note in the right moment. Kudos for the organist!!

[@Mrphilharmonic]

Glorious!! I can't choose between this or the Simon Preston version. Both just wonderful!

[@BruceXuHasADream]

BEST VERSION IVE EVER HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MillerMeteor74]

This makes me want to visit Newark even more! I've always wanted to see this cathedral, but now I want to go hear its organ too. Watching this is the next best thing. Thanks for posting it.

[@fmsrolltide]

I agree. This is one of the best I've heard. Some people play this so fast just to be flashy. Widor could never have played it as fast as some do today. Bravo!

[@martinhaigh8345]

Diane Bish should listen to this and she might learn how to play this piece. Bravo Mr. Hohman! Tempo, articulation, registration, a little "rubato"... everything spot on.

[@IloveCochereau]

Brilliant interpretation ! One of the best i've heard.

[@Ant-ls2pr]

So accurate, a real pro. With the computer you can never hear everything comparing to being there in the building though.

[@charlesbrown1934]

I love this magnificent instrument! The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a wonderfully complimentary acoustical environment for the organ. Listen to those awesome pedal pipes speaking from their towers at the back of the nave. WOW! It reminds me quite a bit of some of those churches in Paris.

[@Bobbalew25]

The GREATEST organ toccata ever written.

[@CJSweatt]

WOW - Simply amazing! I really have no other words to describe this performance. The only bad thing about this recording; I was not there to hear it in person.

[@donreillyxu]

very brilliant!! Love it. I listen to it 20+ times!!!!!!!! WONDERFUL FANTASTIC MARVELOUS ETC.

[@marionlovett7167]

Perfect speed. A masterpiece of French organ music. Thanks for posting this.

[@theodorebiele5201]

fantastic, bright organ and excellent playing!

[@mudgebauer]

This is the very best rendition of this piece on youtube. I wish I was blessed with this gift.

[@May1south]

This is my favorite performance of the Toccata.