Albéric Magnard, who lost his mother at age four, was raised by his father, the chief editor of the newspaper Le Figaro.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Magnard intensely disliked self-advertisement and the assumption that he would use his father's name to launch his career as 'le fils du Figaro'.
Composer Biography
Widor, a cosmopolitan, was known for his distinctive blue suit, spotted cravat, and soft hat, contrasting with César Franck's shabby black suit.
Historical Context
Albéric Magnard died at age 49 during World War I when he fired a single shot at German soldiers approaching his estate, who then retaliated by setting his house on fire.
Performer Biography
Mats Lidström, the cellist on this recording, plays a 1692 Stradivarius that is owned by the Royal Academy of Music.
Composer Biography
Widor was appointed 'acting organist' at Saint-Sulpice in Paris in 1869 and remained in that position for 64 years because the title was never altered and a contract never prepared.
Composer Biography
Charles-Marie Widor, whose father and grandfather were organists and organ builders, was connected to Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, the greatest French organ builder.
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