Widor, Charles-Marie (-Jean-Albert) (1844–1937)

French composer and organist. He created the solo organ symphony, which in effect treats the instrument itself as an orchestra of variously coloured pipes and stops. He wrote ten such symphonies; the famous Toccata (c. 1880) is the finale of his Fifth Symphony. He also wrote songs, concertos, ballets, and operas.

Widor was born at Lyon and studied under his father, who was an organist there. Later he studied with Lemmens and Fétis in Brussels. In 1870 he became organist of the church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, and in 1890 succeeded Franck as organ professor at the Paris Conservatory. He succeeded Dubois as professor of composition in 1896.

Works Dramatic the operas Maître Ambros (1886), Les pêcheurs de Saint-Jean (1905), Nerto (after Mistral); ballet La Korrigane; pantomime Jeanne d'Arc; incidental music to Conte d'Avril (adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night) and Coppée's Les Jacobites.

Choral Mass for double chorus and two organs, Psalm cxii for chorus, orchestra, and organ.

Orchestral two symphonies (1870, 1886), symphonic poem Une nuit de Valpurgis; symphony for organ and orchestra, two concertos for piano (1876 and 1906) and one for cello (1882).

Chamber piano quintet, piano trio; violin and piano sonata, suite for flute and piano; six duets for piano and organ.

Other ten symphonies (1876–1900) and pieces for organ; piano works; songs.