Search - Charles-Marie Widor, Ben van Oosten :: Widor: Complete Organ Works Vol. 7

Charles-Marie Widor, Ben van Oosten
Widor: Complete Organ Works Vol. 7
Genres: Special Interest, Classical

Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
1. Trois Nouvelles Pieces, Op.87: Classique D'hier (Moderato)
2. Trois Nouvelles Pieces, Op.87: Mystique (Andante)
3. Trois Nouvelles Pieces, Op.87: Classique D'aujourd'hui (Moderato)
4. Sym No.1, Op.13/1: Finale (Allegro)
5. Sym No.1, Op.13/1: Allegro
6. Sym No.2, Op.13/3: Marcia
7. Sym No.2, Op.13/2: Prld (Andantino)
8. Sym No.3, Op.13/3: Finale (Allegro Molto Quasi Presto)
9. Conte D'Avril, Op.64: Marche Nuptiale
10. Bach's Memento: Pastorale (Allegretto)
11. Bach's Memento: Miserere Mei Domine (Lento)
12. Bach's Memento: Aria (Adagio)
13. Bach's Memento: Marche Du Veilleur De Nuit (Moderato)
14. Bach's Memento: Sicilienne (Andantino)
15. Bach's Memento: Mattheus-Final (Andante)

CD Details

All Artists: Charles-Marie Widor, Ben van Oosten
Title: Widor: Complete Organ Works Vol. 7
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: MD&G Records
Release Date: 8/18/1998
Genres: Special Interest, Classical
Styles: Marches, Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 760623051925

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Widor's organ music makes great listening for people who normally hate organ music. It's so tuneful, elegant, and "French" that you sort of forget all of the churchly associations of the instrument and simply enjoy the colorful sounds that Widor employs. This final volume of the complete organ works includes two delightful suites: the Three New Pieces, and a lovely suite of arrangements entitled Bach's Memento. Along with these two works, van Oosten also includes early versions of various movements from the organ symphonies, proving (as if such proof were needed) that Widor was as self-critical a musical craftsman as ever set pen to paper. A fine conclusion to a superb series. --David Hurwitz

CD Reviews

Grand and Magnificent

Avid Reader | Franklin, Tn | 07/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Van Oosten has done it again. This is part of yet another "complete works" of an organ composer from the French Romantic Era. Once again, the tone, the performance, the interpretation are just superb. The playing appears so masterful that anyone else (besides Alain) pales in comparison.

Yes, Oosten has won awards from the French Music world and yes, he is renowned for his technique and interpretation but all that would be moot if it were not for his spectacular blend of the two along with a knowledge of the organ, the times and the man. Widor is, to many, the ultimate organist (I prefer Vierne) and his fame rests mainly on the Toccata of the Fifth Symphony. Organists view this as almost a travesty - ignoring some of the greatest organ music in the world as if the composer were a one-shot pony.

Some of the highlights of this record are the Trois Nouvelles Pieces (very French, very Widorian) and the unbeatable Bach Memento which features six "mementos" (transcriptions) from the Master that are either strictly or loosely interpreted. The finale, the Mattheus-Final is a fitting conclusion, at once grand and stately. Every track is wonderful so there are no "throw-away" parts. My grade: A"