Complete Organ Works, Vol. 7;

Widor's organ music makes great listening for people who normally hate organ music. It's so tuneful, elegant, and "French" that you sort of forget all of the churchly associations of the instrument and simply enjoy the colorful sounds that Widor employs. This final volume of the complete organ works includes two delightful suites: the Three New Pieces, and a lovely suite of arrangements entitled Bach's Memento. Along with these two works, van Oosten also includes early versions of various movements from the organ symphonies, proving (as if such proof were needed) that Widor was as self-critical a musical craftsman as ever set pen to paper. A fine conclusion to a superb series. --David Hurwitz