Widor: Organ Symphony No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42 No. 1
36:01
Christian Schmitt (organ)
Recorded: 2-4 October 2012
Recording Venue: Abteikirche Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France
Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1: I. Allegro vivace - Più lento
11:24
Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1: II. Allegro cantabile
6:41
Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1: III. Andantino quasi allegretto
7:18
Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1: IV. Adagio
4:23
Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1: V. Toccata. Allegro
6:15
Widor: Organ Symphony No. 9, Op. 70 "Gothique"
29:21
Christian Schmitt (organ)
Recorded: 2-4 October 2012
Recording Venue: Abteikirche Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France
Organ Symphony No. 9, Op. 70 "Gothique": I. Moderato
7:22
Organ Symphony No. 9, Op. 70 "Gothique": II. Andante sostenuto
5:18
Organ Symphony No. 9, Op. 70 "Gothique": III. Allegro
4:12
Organ Symphony No. 9, Op. 70 "Gothique": IV. Moderato - Allegro
12:29
Widor: Organ Symphony No. 6 in G minor, Op. 42 No. 2
35:59
Christian Schmitt (organ)
Recorded: 2-4 October 2012
Recording Venue: Abteikirche Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France
Organ Symphony No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 42 No. 2: I. Allegro
9:46
Organ Symphony No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 42 No. 2: II. Adagio
7:43
Organ Symphony No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 42 No. 2: III. Intermezzo
6:02
Organ Symphony No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 42 No. 2: IV. Cantabile
5:28
Organ Symphony No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 42 No. 2: V. Finale
7:00
Widor: Organ Symphony No. 10, Op. 73 "Romane"
30:55
Christian Schmitt (organ)
Recorded: 27-29 October 2014
Recording Venue: Abteikirche Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France
Organ Symphony No. 10, Op. 73 "Romane": I. Moderato
6:57
Organ Symphony No. 10, Op. 73 "Romane": II. Choral. Adagio
7:39
Organ Symphony No. 10, Op. 73 "Romane": III. Cantilène. Lento
6:31
Organ Symphony No. 10, Op. 73 "Romane": IV. Final. Allegro - Andante
9:48
Widor: Organ Symphony No. 8 in B major, Op. 42 No. 4
49:32
Christian Schmitt (organ)
Recorded: 27-29 October 2014
Recording Venue: Abteikirche Saint-Ouen, Rouen, France
Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42 No. 4: I. Allegro risoluto
9:31
Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42 No. 4: II. Moderato cantabile
6:31
Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42 No. 4: III. Allegro
4:38
Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42 No. 4: IV. Variations. Andante
13:15
Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42 No. 4: V. Adagio
8:27
Organ Symphony No. 8 in B Major, Op. 42 No. 4: VI. Finale. Tempo giusto
7:10
Charles-Marie Widor: this name is the embodiment of French organ music of the nineteenth century. The illustrious organ builder Cavaillé-Coll promoted Widor’s career while he was still a student and recommended him for the post of titular organist at St-Sulpice. Widor quickly gained renown as a composer, and his ten symphonies for organ solo are regarded even today as the non plus ultra of the virtuoso French school. Christian Schmitt’s release of Widor’s first four organ symphonies immediately demonstrated that this musician ranking as the most outstanding German organist of the younger generation was their congenial interpreter. Now Schmitt interprets the six other symphonies on the St-Ouen Abbey Church constructed by Cavaillé-Coll from 1888 to 1890. Widor is said to have described this instrument as Une orgue à Michel-Ange – a reference to the universal artist Michelangelo that may be interpreted to mean that for him this organ was just as multifaceted and perfect. The St-Ouen organ was one of the last instruments designed by Cavaillé-Coll. Since it has been preserved without changes, it is of great historical significance.