[ Naxos / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 1 May 2020
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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 colour, 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 its 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 Rübsam plays at the restored E.M. Skinner instrument at The University of Chicago, the largest pipe organ in Midwest America.
"The first two symphonies sound very fine, with noble singing-tone from the foundations and clear, assertive reeds." © 2020 Choir & Organ
"An auspicious start heralding great things to come. Sound and notes are first rate." © 2020 Classical Music Daily
"Playing on Chicago University's four-manual Skinner, Rübsam begins his Widor cycle. I do wish he'd stick to tempos, particularly in the quicker movements, but there are some lovely colours on show" BBC Music
Organ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 13, No. 1
Organ Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 13, No. 2