Charles-Marie Widor (1844–1937) was at St-Sulpice from 1869 until 1933 and succeeded Franck as professor of organ at the Paris Conservatoire. He wrote not only ten organ symphonies but also a number of orchestral works, including two symphonies and two piano concertos.
Marche américaine, Op 31, one of Widor’s shorter works for orchestra, is heard here in the arrangement for organ made in about 1939 by his younger Parisian contemporary Marcel Dupré. It is not generally known that Widor wrote a number of stage works and that there existed a lighter side to this formidable Frenchman. In spite of the title, here, surely, in this marvellously rhythmical music, and especially in the perky second theme, is something of the gaiety and high spirits one associates with Parisian theatre.
from notes by Relf Clark © 2006
