Widor: Complete Organ Works, Vol. 6

Volume Six of the complete organ works of Widor includes the late Symphonie romaine, as well as the Suite latine. Both works are based on Gregorian chant melodies, giving the music a haunting, timeless quality characteristic of the modal harmony implied by the original chant tunes. Widor's music is "healthy" music: bold, confident, elegant--there's not a hint of late Romantic decadence about it--and this has curiously limited its popularity. We are always suspicious of music that expresses contentment and happiness, and it's particularly tough to take on the organ, which adds a patina of sentimental religiosity to the mix. Well, here's a chance to abandon any preconceptions and get to know an exceptional series of recordings of some really good music. --David Hurwitz