Aristide Cavaillé-Coll was the visionary creator of the French Romantic organ. He was able to translate certain orchestral effects to the organ, without knowing whether there would be organists who knew what to do with these innovations. However, Cavaillé-Coll did not fail to promote promising talent. On his advice, the young Charles-Marie Widor became organist of the Saint Sulpice in Paris. Widor
… managed to translate Cavaillé-Coll's vision into ten symphonies (for organ!). The Third Symphony still looks a lot like a suite, although the beautiful Finale reveals the power and logic of Widor's later style. Anyway, that Final was added later. The most self-conscious, however, is the masterly Eighth Symphony. Sound splendor and design language seamlessly merge here, and all this is done with a lot of virtuosity and allure! Purists might still be annoyed by some mundane melodies. Then listen to the Adagio of the Eighth, where Widor absorbs such a melody into complex organ textures and counterpoint alla Bach. Jan Lehtola makes a warm plea for these two symphonies, in accordance with the motto: 'Vive Cavaillé-Coll! Vive Widor! ' (HJ)more
