Topic by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Topic: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

Charles Marie Widor's best - known piece for organ, Toccata from V Symphony Op. 42 No. 1. Often played at wedding ceremonies.
Many organists play this too fast. Widor didn’t like to hear it fast. I listened to his  more slow own playing from1932, and tried to get about that tempo.

I like this music more and more every time I listen to it. Can’t explain how it makes me feel. Everyone should listen to this. What an experience. And the arguments about tempo will probably never end. I like this speed so you can hear more of the music

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...ta%20-.mp3

Reply by Borealis

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

Yes !

A great pleasure to hear you and this magical piece. Maybe, there is more serenity with this tempo. This Toccata makes me feel like being with many, many angels in the sky. Something radiant, something "cosmic"...

Thank you very much, Stig.

Will

Reply by Gaston

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

It's been a long time since I've heard this masterpiece. Thank you Stig for reminding me of it with this beautiful interpretation !
I agree with you about the tempo : this masterpiece is not a speed competition, you are on the right one !

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Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

Amaryllis wrote:

Yes !

A great pleasure to hear you and this magical piece. Maybe, there is more serenity with this tempo. This Toccata makes me feel like being with many, many angels in the sky. Something radiant, something "cosmic"...

Thank you very much, Stig.

Will

Nice how the music affected you! Serenity, yes, and one can listen to tones and the music, not a speed test. Thank you very much for your nice comment. I’m glad I could give French music to a you. You gave me the idea to this piece 
Thank you Will  !

Stig

Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

Gaston wrote:

It's been a long time since I've heard this masterpiece. Thank you Stig for reminding me of it with this beautiful interpretation !
I agree with you about the tempo : this masterpiece is not a speed competition, you are on the right one !

Thank you Gérard ! Nice that you like it and my interpretation. It means a lot, you are my idol  And thanks for agreeing on the tempo.

Stig

Reply by budo

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

this is a beautiful performance.  i've never heard this piece before, but it certainly seems to be the perfect tempo.  it's hard to imagine that playing it faster would make it better.  at this tempo the harmony has plenty of time to blossom.

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Reply by Gaston

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

budo wrote:

this is a beautiful performance.  i've never heard this piece before, but it certainly seems to be the perfect tempo.  it's hard to imagine that playing it faster would make it better.  at this tempo the harmony has plenty of time to blossom.

It's easy to find many other performances of this toccata, some of them trying to break speed records are really ridiculous !

Last edited by Gaston (23-05-2021 18:40)
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Reply by Borealis

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

The world of music (but it depends on musical kind) is infected by speed competition. Same problem in the world too but it's another debate...

Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

budo wrote:

this is a beautiful performance.  i've never heard this piece before, but it certainly seems to be the perfect tempo.  it's hard to imagine that playing it faster would make it better.  at this tempo the harmony has plenty of time to blossom.


Thank you, budo, for your kindness and nice comment. ”At this tempo the harmony has plenty of time to blossom” - yes, Widor is the master, he is the composer, he knows which tempo is ment to be. But too fast can be ordinary. Someone said ”Worse than playing a piece too slow is playing it too fast”   

Last edited by Pianoteqenthusiast (23-05-2021 21:26)

Reply by Gaston

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

Just one example ...

https://youtu.be/4piSgsmYMjg?t=2

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Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

Gaston wrote:

Just one example ...

https://youtu.be/4piSgsmYMjg?t=2

In my opinion the piece get muddy in fast tempo. In the sheet Widor have tempo (100). I can’t imagine what the metronome is showing in her tempo. We have different minds and interpretation, maybe she think it is ment to be played in that tempo or want to show her virtuoso. Ok, be it. But, I think nothing beats a composers original way to play his composition. Well, what can I say, I am an amateur - people can enjoy the music in which ever tempo they like. It is not that complicated. People, people, enjoy the music 

Thanks Gérard, for showing interest and uploading this example.

Reply by budo

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Re: C. M. Widor - Toccata, his best known piece for organ

Gaston wrote:

Just one example ...

wow, that is really different.   i see what you guys are saying.

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