Charles-Marie Widor was a hugely influential and venerated musician in his day, and his innovative organ symphonies are both a pinnacle of the repertoire and a testament to his creative and technical mastery of the instrument. These spectacular works are in the grand Romantic manner, but Widor was keenly aware of his musical ancestry, referring to music of the past such as Bach's St. Matthew Passion in the opening of the Third Symphony. The Scherzo of the Fourth Symphony is one of Widor's finest symphonic movements, exploring the organ's sonic beauties. The original E major Scherzo from the Symphony No. 2, which Widor subsequently replaced with a Salve Regina can be heard on Track 6.

Tracklist:

Organ Symphony No. 3 In E Minor, Op. 13 No. 3: I. Prélude
Organ Symphony No. 3 In E Minor, Op. 13 No. 3: II. Minuetto
Organ Symphony No. 3 In E Minor, Op. 13 No. 3: III. Marcia
Organ Symphony No. 3 In E Minor, Op. 13 No. 3: IV. Adagio
Organ Symphony No. 3 In E Minor, Op. 13 No. 3: V. Finale
Organ Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 13 No. 2 "La Chasse": IV. Scherzo
Organ Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 13 No. 4: I. Toccata
Organ Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 13 No. 4: II. Fugue
Organ Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 13 No. 4: III. Andante Cantabile
Organ Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 13 No. 4: IV. Scherzo
Organ Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 13 No. 4: V. Adagio
Organ Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 13 No. 4: VI. Finale

UPC: 747313419579
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 4.10.20
Format: CD

Widor / Wolfgang Rubsam - Organ Symphonies 2 (CD)