At age 25, Widor was appointed probationary organist at Saint-Sulpice in Paris, a prestigious post that housed a monumental Cavaillé-Coll organ.
Composition History
The magnificent Cavaillé-Coll organ at Saint-Sulpice inspired Widor's ten organ symphonies, which revolutionized organ playing and composition in France.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Widor, like Bruckner, had a habit of continually revising his compositions, leading to multiple versions of works, and later revisions did not always improve the original inspiration.
Historical Context
Widor played a significant role in reviving interest in J. S. Bach's music in 19th-century France, where it was seldom heard.
Composer Biography
Charles-Marie Widor, the composer, began his musical training with his father, who was the organist of Saint François-de-Sales church in Lyons.
Composer Biography
Widor remained the 'temporary' organist at Saint-Sulpice for 64 years, during which his organ loft became a gathering place for Paris's artistic and aristocratic elite.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at St Cecilia Catholic Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, on an organ built by Martin Pasi in 2003.
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