Widor: Bach's Memento - 6 Pièces pour Orgue

The title Memento signifies both a memorial tribute and a fitting continuation of Bach's ideas: Widor does not restrict himself to a mere transcription of the originals to the organ, rather he "orchestrates" Bach's originals. In some of the instances he reshapes the original concept into a work of art of his own by creating an extended paraphrase of the original. In so doing, Widor intervenes in the pieces in an original way, adds parts, alters harmonies or even the entire form. In this way an orchestral composition with fleshed out instrumentation emerges in the arrangements which permits an atmospheric tracing and differentieated weaving of the individual voices.

Content:

Pastorale [Allegretto] - Transcriptions of the third movement from the Pastorella for Organ solo (BWV 590)

Miserere Mei Domine [Lento] - Very free arrangement of the Prelude in D minor (BWV 851) from Book One of the Wel-Tempered Clavier. Widor transforms the original into a symphonic meditation on the ancient religious prayer Erbarme Dich meiner, O Herr (Have mercy on me, O Lord)

Aria [Adagio] - Transcription of the Prelude in E minor (BWV 855) from Book One of the Wel-Tempered Clavier

Marche du Veilleur de Nuit [Moderato] - Free paraphrase on the chorale Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers, wake), from the Cantata from the 27th Sunday after Trinity (BWV 140). Bach himself arranged the cantata movement for solo organ as the first of the six Schübler Choralles (BWV 645)

Sicilienne [Andantino] - An arrangement of the second movement from the Sonata for Flute and Harpsichord in E flat Major, transposed from G minor to E flat minor (BWV 1031)

Mattheus-Finale [Andante] -  Transcription of the final chorus from the St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244)