Piano Music

Description

"When a composer's primary mode of expression is the king of instruments, a certain austerity can attach to his reputation, and this is undoubtedly the case with Widor's popular image, for few composers are both so famous and so misunderstood. Without John R. Near, the author of the only authoritative biography of Widor, who introduced me to Widor's solo piano music, I would likely never have discovered it. The piano works reveal aspects of Widor's art that are less present in his foundational cycle of ten Organ Symphonies, which bear the weight of his considerable intelligence and erudition; in writing for piano, Widor seems to explore other, more whimsical aspects of his nature, and our understanding of this great composer is thereby enriched. I have tried to select works that represent the great variety of styles found in his solo piano music." --- Daniel Grimwood ---.