University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Harold Fabrikant (organ), conducted by Associate Prof. Richard Davis. Engineer & Producer: Haig Burnell. Recorded in Melbourne Town Hall, 26 April 2018.

This is the premiere recording of Widor's first extant work — his Ouverture portugaise. Written in 1865, the Ouverture, scored for organ, wind ensemble and orchestra, predates his first published work — the Variations de concert sur un thème original, Op. 1 — by a year. It was premiered in Porto, Portugal at the 1865 International Exposition. There was a long-held belief that the only copy of the manuscript had been destroyed by Widor himself, thinking the work 'plain'. As the Ouverture portugaise was dedicated to Portugal's King Luiz I, a copy of the full score was given to the royal family, now housed in the Library of Ajuda, Ministry of Culture, Lisbon. A performing edition was created by Daniel Mitterdorfer and Harold Fabrikant, published in 2016 by Crescendo Music Publications. Many thanks for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne for making this recording available. Photo credit: Edwina Dethridge.

Charles-Marie Widor - Ouverture portugaise

Publishers of rare and hard to find sheet music.

Crescendo Music Publications

Popular tracks