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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

Kate Molleson

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)

Composer of the Week: Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937): Episode 3: Appointed to the Paris Conservatoire

Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)

Episode 3

Episode 3: Appointed to the Paris Conservatoire

Appointed to the Paris Conservatoire

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937), Appointed to the Paris Conservatoire

Focusing on Widor's work as a teacher and curtain calls taken with the Prince of Wales.

Donald Macleod discusses Widor's work as a teacher as well as curtain calls taken with the Prince of Wales.

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.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of organist and composer Charles-Marie Widor

Donald Macleod is joined by Dr John Near to explore the life and music of organist and composer Charles-Marie Widor

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Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)

Episode 3: Appointed to the Paris Conservatoire

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