Widor's ten organ symphonies (although suites
would be a more apposite description) have had such acclaim and for
some movements such popularity that all else from his pen has been blasted
into obscurity.
Marco Polo were not content to leave that situation
and in 1989 issued this disc at full price as 8.223193.
The Trio is rather like earlyish Fauré
- very appealing and concise melodically. The andante is outstanding,
in its cradling and rocking theme and its fastidious treatment. Widor's
forebears clearly include Schumann rather than Beethoven. The Quintet
is contemporaneous with the Chausson Concert and Franck's string quartet.
This is witty and ingenious music with an emotional core evident from
the andante (clearly Widor was good at these). Inspiration slackens
in the farewell allegro con moto. The quintet is dedicated to
Gounod.
Are there any recordings of Widor's other concert works?
There are two orchestral symphonies, three for organ and orchestra (a
popular French phenomenon!), five concerto type works including concertos
for piano and cello, the tone poem La Nuit de Walpurgis, two
ballets La Korrigane and Jeanne d'Arc, three operas
- Maitre Ambros, Les pêcheurs de Saint-Jean and
Nerto. Chamber works: another piano quintet, a piano quartet,
two violin sonatas and a cello sonata. Some of this sounds as if it
might be attractive to Timpani, Arion or Pierre Verany.
Rob Barnett
Ilona Prunyi (piano)