Kevin Mayhew - Widor toccata made playable

[Bach>Meer]

Hi all

Has anyone got a copy of this they can post?

thanks!

[pcnd5584]

Hi all

Has anyone got a copy of this they can post?

thanks!

If it is the version by Colin Hand - it is not worth bothering with. This is one piece which I suggest is either better to learn the actual version (as amended by Widor - the original ending is inferior) - or leave well alone.

[Krummhorn]

I agree with Sean, above ... The actual version is not that difficult of a piece to learn ... it was one of those I had to learn in my first year of organ study.

I've seen too many 'botched easy versions' of this piece or that piece. I once heard, in recital, one of the 'easy' version (by Lani Smith of Lorenz Publishing) of the Widor Toccata and it was horrible - all the organists in the room started cocking their heads when things started to sound peculiar. We all were imaginging Widor turning over in his grave.

The organist, when queried after the program said, "well, that's the only version I have ever heard."

Learn the original ... you'll be happy you did. It's worth the effort and will bring a smile to the face of Widor.

[Soubasse]

I recall seeing one "simplified" version of the Toccata which dispensed with the right hand part completely!

Agree with Krummhorn, it's really not that "unplayable" a piece to learn. When my first teacher taught it to me, he taught me the right hand part as chords initially before playing them as arpeggios. You then realise that the right hand and left parts are not that different!

[Krummhorn]

. . . When my first teacher taught it to me, he taught me the right hand part as chords initially before playing them as arpeggios. You then realise that the right hand and left parts are not that different!

Hey, we must have had the same teacher . That's exactly the way I was taught. And, it worked ... of course, these days that piece is one of many I committed to memory - the page turns without a turner are wicked.

[JONESEY]

The Widor is on my list to learn next year ... wish me luck!

[Krummhorn]

You will enjoy learning it, Jonesey ...
And it will probably be easier than you think it is ... take it slow at first - then gradually build tempo. And pick a "mp" registration while learning ... lots of mistakes are easily hidden in a tutti registration.

[Soubasse]

... lots of mistakes are easily hidden in a tutti registration.

SSHHHHHHHH!! Don't say things like that, we can't give away all our secrets!!

[Krummhorn]

ooh ... that's right ... oh crap
another secret let out of the bag ... naughty me

[Mark DeAlba]

all the organists in the room started cocking their heads when things started to sound peculiar. We all were imaginging Widor turning over in his grave.

The organist, when queried after the program said, "well, that's the only version I have ever heard."
.

That's hillarious!
As for the second part, that's very sad if you've never heard the real version.

I personally would rather play Mary had a Little Lamb at a recital than to disrespect a lengendary French organ work such as this one. That's the whole idea, I love learning pieces like that in large part because they are hard. I know the end result will be so much more rewarding.

Mark