He was famed throughout Europe as a performer, teacher, and composer of ballets, opera, concertos and organ symphonies, although today he is largely remembered for one work, his Toccata for organ, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Charles-Marie Widor.

Widor's music was becoming known internationally. His next big hit came with his ballet La Korrigane, The Goblin Maiden. The premiere at the Paris Opera was a huge success, and was attended by Edward, Prince of Wales who took curtain calls with the composer. On the recommendation of His Royal Highness, Widor received a commission to compose music for the Royal Philharmonic Society, marking the tenth anniversary of the Father Willis organ at the Royal Albert Hall. For this occasion Widor composed his Symphony Opus 42a for organ and orchestra.

In 1890 Widor returned to England for another Royal Philharmonic Society event, the performance of his Fantaisie in A flat major Opus 62. This work went down very well and remained popular throughout the composer's lifetime. In the same year, following the death of Cesar Franck, Widor was appointed organ professor at the Paris Conservatoire. He was met with hostility from some of his new students, but he soon won them over with his knowledge and abilities. Show less