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 had a number of huge hits under his belt, including not only organ music, but works for the stage and concert platform as well. A work of his which has stood the test of time along with his Toccata for organ, is Widor's Suite Opus 34 for flute and piano, composed in the mid 1880s. Although much of Widor's time was taken with teaching organ at the Paris Conservatoire, and his post at the church of St. Sulpice, he still received commissions from abroad, including a new work to be performed in Geneva, his Symphony No 3 Op 69 for organ and orchestra.

There was a turning point for Widor in 1895. His music started to take on a much more serious nature, and he became increasingly interested in Gregorian chant. It was during this period, just before the start of the twentieth century, that Widor's career took another significant turn, when he was appointed Professor of Composition at the Paris Conservatoire. Show less