Charles-Marie Widor’s Ten Organ Symphonies: A Formal Analysis

Abstract

This study considers Widor’s ten organ symphonies within the historical context of the symphony. Its primary focus is the formal construction of these works and how they dialogue with conventional norms associated with keyboard and orchestra genres, especially with regard to cyclical cohesion, a central question of the 19th-century for both idioms. It further considers the symphonies within the composer’s overall instrumental corpus and how they compare to other genres in which he composed. Ultimately, this document is meant to be a useful point of departure for analysts and performers interested in the organ symphonies, providing insight on how each of these works interfaces with those around it and—hopefully—encouragement to investigate them and Widor’s entire oeuvre more deeply.