Widor's ancestry, musical education, and heritage (1844-63) -- The first creative period (1864-79) -- The years of mastery (1880-94) -- The twilight of Widor's compositional career (1895-1909) -- Mr. Widor, member of the Institute of France (1910-37) -- Appendixes. 1. Published literary works. 2. List of musical works. 3. A cross-section of musicians during Widor's life. 4. Chronology

This collection features church and concert works for the organ and includes such popular pieces as Bach's "Toccata" and "Fugue in D Minor" andthe "Toccata" from Charles-Marie Widor's 5th Organ Symphony."

Yuletide favorites by 24 composers appear in this compilation of traditional and classical works. Assembled by a noted organist, it features simplified pieces by Buxtehude, Guilmant, Berlioz, and many others.

The Symphonie pour orgue et orchestre, opus 42[bis] has had spectacular moments in its history. In1880, the future king of England, Edward VII, requested that Widor compose a grand work for organand orchestra to be performed in London?s Royal Albert Hall. The American premiere in 1919, withthe Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski and the great Wanamaker organ,attracted an audience of about 12,000 people. Using movements from his second and sixth symphonies for solo organ as the basis for this work,Widor created a masterpiece that launched a renaissance in the organ/orchestra combination. Thispremiere edition is based on Widor?s autograph manuscript as well as copies that he had made andwhich carry emendations and corrections in his own hand. The introduction includes details about theorigin of the Symphonie, manuscript sources, revisions, early performances, and performanceguidelines. Published in full score with separate organ part (and orchestral parts available byrequest), the edition reintroduces this legendary tour de force to the repertory for organ and orchestra.

"Charles-Marie Widor continued to develop the genre of the organ symphony in his second set of four works, published as Symphonies pour orgue, opus 42 (1878-87). The introduction to this edition of Widor's Symphonie V includes a list of the sources, a statement of editorial policies, and information about Widor's registrations. Symphonie V in F Minor seems to have been one of Widor's favorites, as he often performed it complete. The work is in five movements, including the famous Toccata finale. Had Widor composed no other organ music, this symphony alone would have assured him a permanent place in the repertoire. (Revised 2nd edition.)" --