An imaginary encounter: Bach and Widor

The tradition continues: after Telemann, Haendel, Pachelbel, Scarlatti, Marchand and many others, we now present an imaginary meeting between Bach and Charles-Marie Widor, one of the greatest French interpreters of Bach’s organ music, from which he drew inspiration both in his compositions and in his instrumental playing technique. In addition to his famous Toccata from his Fifth Organ Symphony, Widor left an abundance of vocal and instrumental works, including the moving Messe solennelle, Op. 36 for two choirs and two organs. Les Petits chanteurs du Mont-Royal, who will share the stage with a baritone choir made up of alumni, will also perform vocal works by Bach, including the famous chorales Bist du bei mir and Jesus bleibet meine Freude.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Organ Piece in G major, BWV 572
The Church Adores You (Chorale Valet will ich dir geben, harm. J. S. Bach)

Charles-Marie Widor (1844–1937)
Mass, Op. 36
Kyrie
Gloria
Psalm 83 “Quam dilecta tabernacula tua” (5)

Johann Sebastian Bach
Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 686

Charles-Marie Widor
Mass, Op. 36
Sanctus
Benedictus
Agnus Dei

Johann Sebastian Bach
Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227

Charles-Marie Widor
Symphony No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42, No. 1
Toccata

Les Petits chanteurs du Mont-Royal
Baritone choir made up of former Petits chanteurs du Mont-Royal
Federico Andreoni, choir organ
Vincent Boucher, great organ
Andrew Gray, direction
Julie Daoust, animation

Large-screen projection