Widor Toccata at Cathedral Basilica in Newark
3,824,685
Published 2008-01-06
This performance of Widor's Toccata from the Fifth Organ Symphony is found on the CD recording from PRO ORGANO entitled "A Couple of French Fifths" - Pro Organo CD 7021. This recording contains the complete Widor's Fifth Symphony as well as the complete Fifth Organ Symphony of Louis Vierne. To access details, link to www.zarex.com/bin and enter 7021 in the Search Box.
The complete 30-minute Midnight Pipes video is also available from www.zarex.com.bin/ . To access details on this video, enter 9018 in the Search Box.
The organ at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart was originally built and installed in the 1950s by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio www.schantzorgan.com/ . In 1989, renovations were made, which included a new 4-manual console located in the Chancel of the Cathedral, which is seen in this video. Frederick Hohman was engaged as a featured organist in the dedication program of this organ in 1990, when he appeared with orchestra in Jongen's Symphonie Concertante before a capacity audience.
Frederick Hohman's website is: www.frederickhohman.net/
All Comments (21)
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My Dad (a church organist) had to learn this after Princess Margaret's wedding because all the local brides wanted it. He could only dream of playing it this well but I loved to sit with him at the organ while he played. It made me so proud of him.
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I am sitting here marvelling at the skill of the composer, the brilliance of the playing and the craftmanship of the organ builder. What an absolute treat this is.
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I was at the Cathedral where this was played on Easter Sunday and the organist played this song right after the mass...it was just magnanimous!
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This is abolutely wonderful! Memories of my wedding day in a small English church, a fantastic pipe organist playing this piece as I walked out with my new husband. Thing was, I remember wanting to stay to sit and listen!
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this song makes me cry everytime i hear it and as an 18year old boy thats not normally a good think but my grandparents loved it and it was played at thier funerals and it gets me everytime, beautiful
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Something about this piece makes me cry. It's haunting, but awe-inspiring too. One of my very favorite organ pieces of all time.
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I never ceased to be amazed at this work - how it captures the imagination in the immensity and intensity of its power.
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It is nice to know that one organist can give so much pleasure to so many people.I enjoy listening to this piece very often
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I think Widor himself would be pleased with this version. Bravo!
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Oh Thank GOD! FInally someone who doesn't treat this piece as a Formula 1 race! The full majesty of that pedal line needs time. There are some serious demands made on the wind reserves of an organ for this piece, and those 32ft reeds need time to speak sometimes. Bravo!
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This is the best I have ever heard of this popular organ work. The pedal is very clear and you can actually distinguish the notes on the swell organ. It also is not rushed which allows for the greater enjoyment of the music.
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Hats off to Schantz and the young man. The 32 foot stops had time to speak clearly. This is the very best performance of the Widor.
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I love the Widor 5th! And this organist is playing it from memory! Cool!
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A brilliant performance of the Master work at just the right tempo.
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Solid. This chap makes it alive. Without taking it too fast.
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Wow! This fine musician has the control and the passion for this composition. I admire his reserve in not rushing the notes but keeps his tempi intact. Congratulations for a wonderful performance.
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My favorite rendition of this spectacular piece. Thank you, Frederick Hohman.
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At last, a performance of the Toccata that isn't a race to the end!
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Stunning. No other words for it.
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This performance is so amazing!!! I heard a recording of it played by the late Jeanne Demessieux 30 years ago, and it truly reminded me of her. His lithe, airy, and fluid playing of it would make Widor very proud!!! Well Done!!!
