Charles-Marie Widor (1844–1937) was a prominent organist, best known for his ten organ symphonies. These works represent his most important contribution to the organ repertoire and continue to be performed regularly. Widor spearheaded a revival of French organ music, which utilized a new type of organ developed by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll and exhibited a "symphonic" style.
Widor's organ symphonies are unusual because the term "symphony" is seldom used for works written for a single instrument. However, Cavaillé-Coll's organs had a warmer sound and a wide range of stops that expanded the instrument's tonal palette. This new type of organ, with its truly orchestral sound spectrum and unprecedented possibilities for smooth crescendos and diminuendos, encouraged composers to write music that was entirely symphonic in nature.
Widor's organ symphonies are unusual because the term "symphony" is rarely used for works written for a single instrument. Besides his organ symphonies, Widor also composed music for various instruments and ensembles. Some of his songs for voice and piano are particularly noteworthy. He also wrote four operas and a ballet, but today it is primarily his organ works that are regularly performed. These include, in addition to the ten organ symphonies, three symphonies for orchestra with organ, "Suite Latine," "Trois Nouvelles Pièces," and six arrangements of Bach works under the title "Bach's Memento" (1925).
The latest edition of his works includes Widor's previously unpublished final manuscript revisions of all ten organ symphonies. The Toccata from his Fifth Organ Symphony is especially well-known and is frequently performed as recess music at concerts.
The trend toward symphonic organ works was not limited to France but was also evident in Germany, through the organs built by Friedrich Ladegast and the works of Franz Liszt, Julius Reubke, and Max Reger. The complete recordings of Widor's organ symphonies, such as those made by Pierre Pincemaille between 1999 and 2000, comprise about 18 hours of music and offer a comprehensive insight into his symphonic organ works.