Charles-Marie Widor
A French organist-composer whose ten monumental Organ Symphonies, particularly a blazing Toccata, forever changed the instrument's musical possibilities.
1844–1937 (age 93)·French organist and composer·Birthday: February 21
Biography
For over six decades, Charles-Marie Widor was the living spirit of the organ at Saint-Sulpice in Paris, presiding from one of the finest instruments in the world built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. This unique partnership between composer and technological marvel allowed Widor to pioneer a new genre: the organ symphony. Moving beyond traditional liturgical forms, his ten symphonies treated the organ like a full orchestra, demanding virtuosic technique and exploiting the instrument's vast colors and dynamics. While his output was wide, including operas and chamber music, it is the thrilling Toccata from his Fifth Symphony that secured his popular immortality, becoming a staple of wedding recessals and concert finales. As a teacher at the Paris Conservatoire, he shaped the next generation, counting the brilliant Marcel Dupré among his students, ensuring his rigorous, grand style would echo through the 20th century.
#1 When Charles-Marie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1844
Charles-Marie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1844Born
1849Started school
1857Became a teenager
1860Could drive
1862Could vote
President: Abraham Lincoln
1865Turned 21
President: Andrew Johnson
1874Turned 30
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1884Turned 40
President: Chester A. Arthur
1894Turned 50
President: Grover Cleveland
1904Turned 60
New York City opens its first subway line
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1914Turned 70
World War I begins
President: Woodrow Wilson
1924Turned 80
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1937Died at 93
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
Key Achievements
- Composed ten pioneering Organ Symphonies that expanded the technical and sonic scope of the instrument.
- Served as the titular organist at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris for an astounding 64 years.
- His Toccata from the Symphony for Organ No. 5 became one of the most recognized pieces of organ music worldwide.
- Succeeded César Franck as professor of organ at the Paris Conservatoire, mentoring a generation of great organists.
Did You Know?
He was initially hired at Saint-Sulpice on a provisional basis, which lasted for over six decades.
He was a noted scholar who completed and edited the third volume of J.S. Bach's organ works for publication.
He wrote a ballet, 'La Korrigane,' which was performed at the Paris Opéra.
He was elected a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1910, a rare honor for an organist.
“The organ is not an orchestra, but an orchestra is an organ.”
