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Widor: Complete Organ Works, Vol. 3 | 
 enlarge | Creators: Charles-marie Widor, Ben Van Oosten
Label: MD&G Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $12.57
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New (8) Used (2) from $7.97
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 45218
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 760623040325
EAN: 0760623040325
ASIN: B0000021G1
Release Date: November 14, 1995
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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| Tracks:
| • | 1. Allegro vivace | | • | 2. Allegro cantabile | | • | 3. Andantino quasi allegretto | | • | 4. Adagio | | • | 5. Toccata (Allegro) | | • | 1. Allegro | | • | 2. Adagio | | • | 3. Intermezzo (Allegro) | | • | 4. Cantabile | | • | 5. Finale (Vivace) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This third volume of the complete Widor organ music contains the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies--certainly the two most popular of Widor's organ compositions. In fact, in the concluding Toccata of the Fifth Symphony, we are dealing with the most popular single piece of organ music since the Toccata and Fugue in D minor of Bach. Academics love to sneer at Widor's Toccata as a tacky potboiler of a piece. It features an incredibly catchy tune that repeats itself to the point that you can't get it out of your head, and if it drives the official arbiters of taste insane, then that's their problem. The rest of us can simply enjoy it as the vivacious conclusion to a gorgeous piece of music. If you think that Widor is all flash, check out the haunting second movement. --David Hurwitz
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| Customer Reviews:
A solid, if somewhat dry, performance March 12, 2008
Josiah Armes
Ben van Oosten has an extensive discography to his credit and has doubtless done a great service by recording so much of the French repertoire. He possesses flawless technique and has a solid grasp of the pieces; but, his playing strikes me as uninspiring and somewhat dry. There is nothing to reproach in his playing and use of the instrument; but there is also nothing that strikes the listener as brilliant or exceptional. One almost feels that Mr. van Oosten, with his gifted technique, is mechanically rolling out one recording after another just for the heck of it without really being inspired by the works that he is recording. Nonetheless, this is a solid and good recording, and, if some of the tempi are on the slow side, it is a useful recording to have as a reference.
For those looking to compare this with another recording, check out the Widor set played by Herman van Vliet. It is not, I believe, sold on this website, but can be found at the Organ Historical Society's website: www.ohscatalog.org. It is clear that van Vliet does not have van Oosten's impressively formidable technique, but the playing strikes me as much more musical and, dare I say, inspiring.
 Emotional Paydirt July 30, 2003
Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
We have finally arrived at the pinnacle of Widor's Romantic era, the period in which he composed Symphonies 4-8. The fifth is the most popular, due in large part to the grandeur of the opening. The sounds emanating from this instrument (similar to one used by Widor himself) are just incredible and exploit the new effects of the "French" organ perfectly. But the Sixth Symphony has its many fans and is, in many ways, a superior work as a whole. The "breathing" from the pipes is particularly highlighted in this piece. The syncopation is just perfect. Some have opined that these piece seem a tad slow or leaden but van Oosten's interpretation is, I think, the correct one. Widor was aiming for denseness - not an ethereal lightness. One can easily grasp the overall sense of solemnity within these works that I am sure was the intent of the composer
Emotional paydirt July 7, 2003
Avid Reader (Franklin, TN)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
We have finally arrived at the pinnacle of Widor's Romantic era, the period in which he composed Symphonies 4-8. The fifth is the most popular, due in large part to the grandeur of the opening. The sounds emanating from this instrument (similar to one used by Widor himself) are just incredible. But the Sixth Symphony has its many fans and is, in many ways, a superior work as a whole. The "breathing" from the pipes is particularly highlighted in this piece. Some have opined that these piece seem a tad slow or leaden but van Oosten's interpretation is, I think, the correct one. Widor was aiming for denseness - not an ethereal lightness. One can easily grasp the overall sense of solemnity within these works that I am sure was the intent of Widor.
Widor, Complete Organ Works, Vol. 3 November 28, 2002
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Those that know Widor's organ music will find this recording authentic because ... it was recorded on a Cavaille-Coll instrument - very much the same instrument that Widor himself played and composed for. Secondly, Van Oosten's registrations are accurate - choosing registrations simlar to those of Widor himself. If you like bright sounding organ registrations .... stick with the composers of the baroque period. Composers of the romantic literature period pursued color more than brightness. Lastly ...... his interpretations are accurate. What better combination can a Widor organ music fan ask for? An accomplished organist playing the complete cycle of Widor symphonies in an authentic way that pays value to the intent of the composer himself. If that's what you're after .... you will be pleased with Mr. Van Oosten.
Superb playing by Ben van Oosten December 7, 2000
Robert M. van Zoelen (the Netherlands)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
In my opinion, this is the current recording standard for Widor's organ works. Not only has Ben van Oosten selected magnificent instruments for this recording -and the other ones in the series as well. His interpretation of both Symphonies 5 & 6 is fascinating, Widor has a story to tell and Ben van Oosten is an ideal organist to bring this story back to life. Never dull, well balanced, technically refined. A must for those people that love French organ music.
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