The love of steam locomotives and fast passenger trains by French composers Widor and Honegger

[daveklepper]

The September issue of The American Organist, the monthly magazine of the American Guild of Organists, has a very informative article on the best performance practices for Widor’s Toccata, which is the most frequently piece after Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D-minor in organ concerts, by Principia College Emeritus Professor John R. Near.  This article has ten railroad references and mentions Honegger’s Pacific 2-3-1 and that Honegger was a pupil of Widor.

 

One quote from Widor (translated from French) in the article:

 

Style is the appropriate matter for each to express his thought.  The essential quality of Style is Rhythm, which is to say Will.  The tick-tock of the pendulum leaves us indifferent; we do not listen to it, and we forget about it; its movement carries on with the impersonality of the metronome. On the other hand, the formidable piston stroke that marks the puffing of these engines pulling train cars—it is the “strong beat,” it the periodic manifestation of Will, and this Will imposes itself. Play imperturbably in time, and your listeners will think about petty matters. Stress here and there, underline the end of a phrase, add to a value, make your personality and emotion felt, give of your heart, and people will listen to you.  

[Overmod]

And no mention of Jehan Alain's Litanies?

 

A sample of Widor's Toccata in F is here (I picked this because it's from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where my parents were married and I was baptized):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PrdZBMLjG_g

[Gramp]

Overmod

And no mention of Jehan Alain's Litanies?

 

A sample of Widor's Toccata in F is here (I picked this because it's from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where my parents were married and I was baptized):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PrdZBMLjG_g

 

Absolutely love this Widor Toccata. Growing up, our church organist would often play it at the end of church services. So moving. 

[daveklepper]

Loved David Brigg's perfornance.  Thanks for posting the URL.  Hope to find his emasil address to tell him how terrfic he is.

[charlie hebdo]

Overmod

And no mention of Jehan Alain's Litanies?

 

A sample of Widor's Toccata in F is here (I picked this because it's from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where my parents were married and I was baptized):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PrdZBMLjG_g

 

Good recording, thank you!