During his unprecedented 64 years as organist at Saint-Sulpice in Paris, Charles-Marie Widor developed a powerfully symphonic approach to music for the organ, finding new combinations of color, sonority and texture. The ten symphonies for organ are central to his repertory for the instrument. Featured on this first volume are the Symphony No. 1 in C minor, with it's homage to Bach, luminous and ceremonial and with virtuoso flourishes; and the Symphony No. 2 in D major offering a fascinating series of contrasts with some spectacular effects. Wolfgang Rubsam plays at the restored E.M. Skinner instrument at The University of Chicago, the largest pipe organ in Midwest America.

Tracklist:

Organ Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 13 No. 1 (Revised 1918 Version): I. Prélude
Organ Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 13 No. 1 (Revised 1918 Version): II. Allegretto
Organ Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 13 No. 1 (Revised 1918 Version): III. Intermezzo
Organ Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 13 No. 1 (Revised 1918 Version): IV. Adagio
Organ Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 13 No. 1 (Revised 1918 Version): V. Marche Pontificale
Organ Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 13 No. 1 (Revised 1918 Version): VI. Méditation
Organ Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 13 No. 1 (Revised 1918 Version): VII. Finale
Organ Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 13 No. 2 (Revised 1901 Version): I. Praeludium Circulare
Organ Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 13 No. 2 (Revised 1901 Version): II. Pastorale
Organ Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 13 No. 2 (Revised 1901 Version): III. Andante
Organ Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 13 No. 2 (Revised 1901 Version): IV. Salve Regina
Organ Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 13 No. 2 (Revised 1901 Version): V. Adagio
Organ Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 13 No. 2 (Revised 1901 Version): VI. Finale

UPC: 747313416172
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 1.10.20
Format: CD

Widor / Rubsam - Organ Symphonies 1 (CD)