Organ Symphony No.1 Op 42 - Alexandre Guilmant

Conductor - Marguerite Bradford Richardson
Concertmaster - Timothy Edwards
civicorchestra...
Program Notes by Lucinda Mosher, Th.D.
After Spending thirty years as an organist at Eglise de la Sainte- Trinite in Paris, Felix-Alexandre Guilmant then became a touring artist--a compelling virtuoso performer who attracted large, enthusiastic audiences. He came to the US on concert tour in 1904, the first major European organist to do so. While here, he gave at least forty performances. A prolific composer, Guilmant wrote almost exclusively for organ. His Symphony No.1 published in 1879, was the result of his adding orchestra parts to his first organ sonata. As is typical of his works, it is an exploration of the breadth of sounds of which a Romantic-era pipe pagan is capable. In the first movement, grandeur and athleticism intertwine as the orchestra seems to compete with the organ for dominance, The far gentler second movement is a delicate pastorale. The finale is bold and energetic, with a lyrical second theme providing contrast. Here, as in the first movement, our soloist's fingers are quite busy--but so are his feet! Watch and listen for extended passages for pedals alone.