Widor - Andante Sostenuto (Symphonie Gothique)

Yes, friends, Widor did write something other than the Toccata. 10 symphonies, among other things, of which the "Gothique" is #9. If you ever have a chance to hear this piece played at St. Sulpice in Paris, where Widor was organist for 64 years, take it. Those limpid French flutes in that acoustically-perfect building will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Performed superbly by Alison Luedecke in 1996 on a Moller III/54 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, VA.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Widor
• pipe
• organ
• orgue
• organo
• Symphonie Gothique
• Alison
• Luedecke
• classical

[scronx]

I can't believe anybody would be so crass as to complain about the performer moving around. This is an elegant, in fact stunning, rendition of a very difficult piece. I guess ACVoltage plays like a zombie..... Bipolar??? Ehhh?

[a55b47]

After hearing Alison play this years ago, I thought, "I can play this." So, I ordered the sheet music. After trying to work my way through it a couple of times, I realized how deceptive this music is about its "degree of difficulty." It's a booger !! (as my grandmother would say).

[RyanDoMu]

Just in case you didn't get what ACVoltage said, he wrote " Not bad, but what's with the rocking back and forth like a showoff?".

By the way, thanks for posting something from Widor other than the Tocatta from Symphony No. 5. I thought you played very well. Keep Widor's other organ Symphonies coming!

[a55b47]

Thanks for the translation ;-) Actually, I'm not the player; I'm the film producer -- which is why the organ-playing is so much better than the filming.

[Shenandoah58]

@a55b47 You are correct.  It is like there are three lines of music in the hands. It is a real bear.

[umpinchief]

Sumptuous performance. I will always remember that this haunting movement was played as the recessional at Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis' funeral mass. Thank God someone there had the good sense and musical intillect to choose this work for that occaision

[gngeannakakes]

This performance is o.k. but a littlle slow.

[silentbugler]

fab playing! The intensity of the fonds [a bit Lewis], and the stunning flute harm make up for it not being in France!! most enjoyable...

[andre26071955]

Stunningly played; Alison should have the chance to play this in Rouen, on the instrument this piece was composed for.

[midkanzan]

Beautiful! On of my favorites of Widor

[TURBOKNIGHTRIDER]

did you played barefoot?

[cornwall59]

I cant fault her playing,at all stunning well

done,there is nothing wrong with the performer

moving back & forth,its all in the Phrasing of

the music,you have to think of the music in terms of big waves crashing back & forth,on a

beach.