Widor was born in Lyons in 1844 and died in 1937 in Paris where he
had spent much of his professional life. His symphonies comprise an
important addition to the organ repertoire and the present one in F minor is the best known.
The first movement is a fine set of extended variations on a lengthy
théme characterised by an opening dotted rhythm. The second, Allegro
cantabile is in ternary form. A cantilena melody is heard on a swell
trumpet against rippling flute accompaniment. A quiet middle section
for strings and flutes is attractively developed and there follows a reprise
of the opening material. The third movement is unusual. It opens as a
minuet with a pedal solo in fairly predictable style but after some sixty
bars the music plunges suddenly into a stormy allegro, passing through
remote keys while the pedals beat out a quaver motto. Eventually the
opening idea brings a measure of repose.
The fourth movement, Adagio is calm and peaceful. In section it is a
cleverly constructed canon between the right hand and the pedals.
Widor's 5th Symphonie ends with the celebrated Toccata in which a
quasi plainsong theme is thundered out by the pedals beneath a glittering
moto perpetuo.
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