Widor: The Organ Symphonies, Vol. 5 Joseph Nolan

• Charles-Marie Widor (1844 - 1937): Symphonie gothique, Op. 70
• 1 Organ Symphony No. 9 in C Minor, Op. 70 "Symphonie gothique": I. Moderato 08:04
• 2 Organ Symphony No. 9 in C Minor, Op. 70 "Symphonie gothique": II. Andante sostenuto 05:32
• 3 Organ Symphony No. 9 in C Minor, Op. 70 "Symphonie gothique": III. Allegro 04:14
• 4 Organ Symphony No. 9 in C Minor, Op. 70 "Symphonie gothique": IV. Toccata 14:30
• Symphonie romane, Op. 73
• 5 Symphonie romane, Op. 73: I. Moderato 07:02
• 6 Symphonie romane, Op. 73: II. Choral 08:12
• 7 Symphonie romane, Op. 73: III. Cantilene 05:38
• 8 Symphonie romane, Op. 73: IV. Finale 10:10
• Total Runtime 01:03:22

Info for Widor: The Organ Symphonies, Vol. 5

The fifth volume in Signum's series of Charles-Marie Widors Organ Symphonies, performed by Joseph Nolan on the magnificent Cavaille´-Coll organs of La Madeleine, Paris and Saint-Sernin, Toulouse. Bridging the generations from Mendelssohn to Messiaen, Empire to Republic, Widor was born to the organ. His Lyonnaise kinsfolk were organ-builders, he showed early talent for the instrument, and for decades was the embodiment of its might and splendour across the Gallic domain his Organ Symphonies were genre-defining in their influence.

“For the final Symphony Nolan moves to one of Cavaillé-Coll’s finest instruments, at Saint-Sernin in Toulouse. This concludes a remarkable series in which Nolan transcends Widor’s scores, truly revelling in the Gothic beauty of this music and the grandiose instruments of the belle époque” (Choir & Organ)

This looks like shaping up to be the Widor Organ Symphonies cycle of the decade” (Musicweb International)

“... those who have been following the series will know by now what to expect and need have no reservations about adding Volume 4 to their collection, and both Nolan and Signum can only be commended for their continued commitment.” (International Record Review)

Joseph Nolan, organ (The Cavaillé-Coll Organs of La Madeleine, Paris & Saint-Sernin, Toulouse)

Joseph Nolan
an APRA award-winning British Australian organist, has been described by ABC Radio National as “one of the great organists of our time” and by Limelight (Australia) as “indisputably one of the world’s finest organists.” Critics have consistently praised his artistry, with BBC Radio 3 Record Review admiring his “miraculous playing,” Gramophone (UK) celebrating his “towering technique, vivid virtuosity, and inspired interpretive insight,” and Fanfare (USA) comparing him to Cameron Carpenter, noting Nolan’s “jaw-dropping virtuosity, with both finger-work and footwork that leave one astonished at his dexterity.”

Renowned for his interpretations of Widor’s complete organ works, Nolan’s recordings are widely considered the benchmark, earning two Gramophone Critics’ Choice awards and numerous five-star reviews from leading publications such as The Criterion (New York), MusicWeb International, and ClassicalSource. His performances reach audiences worldwide via broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, Pipedreams USA, Radio France, Radio Sweden, and ABC Classic.

As an exclusive artist with Signum Classics—Gramophone’s Label of the Year—Nolan’s discography is a testament to his reputation, featuring performances on some of the world’s most celebrated organs in iconic venues such as St Sulpice, La Madeleine, and St Etienne du Mont in Paris; St Sernin, Toulouse; St François de Sales, Lyon; St Bavo, Haarlem; St Ouen, Rouen; Buckingham Palace, London; and Eglise St Martin, Dudelange.

Nolan is in high demand as a soloist with major orchestras. His Sydney Opera House debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, alongside acclaimed US mezzo-soprano Susan Graham and conductor David Robertson, was lauded by Limelight and The Sydney Morning Herald, who remarked, “I have never heard the Sydney Opera House organ sound better.” His world premiere performance of Mary Finsterer’s Stabat Mater with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at St Patrick’s Cathedral won Performance of the Year and Work of the Year at the 2024 Arts (APRA) awards under conductor Ben Northey.

Joseph Nolan has also appeared as a concerto soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at St Peter’s Cathedral, Canberra Symphony Orchestra at Llewellyn Hall, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Queensland Symphony Orchestra at QPAC, West Australian Symphony Orchestra at Perth Concert Hall, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, where he performed with Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero and conductor Alexander Shelley on a national tour of New Zealand.

Nolan’s formative years were shaped at The Royal College of Music in London, where he studied with Professor Richard Popplewell, won the Canon Bark prize for most promising organ student, graduated with First Class Honours for his BMus recital at Temple Church, and pursued postgraduate studies with Marie Claire Alain in Paris, supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the Hattori Foundation.

After returning to London, Nolan was appointed to Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in 2004, where he regularly performed at Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace, including the inaugural concert on the refurbished Grand Ballroom organ. He was the first solo artist to feature on a commercial recording of the Grand Ballroom organ at Buckingham Palace.

In 2008, Nolan became Master of Music at St George’s Cathedral in Perth, Western Australia, recruited by Dean Dr John Shepherd. He founded the Cathedral Consort and Cathedral Concert Series in 2009, both now considered cultural treasures of Western Australia, with The Australian and West Australian newspapers describing their performances as “elite and world class.”

Under his leadership, the Cathedral Consort has performed at the Perth Festival, for Musica Viva, and in collaboration with The Hilliard Ensemble, The Academy of Ancient Music, and The King’s Singers. The project “Gloria,” a collaboration between the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, St George’s Cathedral Consort, and contemporary dance group Co3, conducted by Nolan, earned unanimous five-star reviews and won the 2023 Australian Performing Arts Mainstage award.

In April 2024, Nolan conducted “Gloria” again, this time featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Dixit Dominus, at Perth Concert Hall. Limelight magazine included this concert among the top ten in Australia for 2024. Most recently, Nolan led WASO and St George’s Cathedral Consort in “Devotion and Glory” at Winthrop Hall in April 2025, earning five stars from Limelight Magazine, with William Yeoman describing the West Australian premiere of Mary Finsterer’s Stabat Mater as “an extraordinary performance of an extraordinary work.” This concert was broadcast by ABC Classic in May 2025.

Booklet for Widor: The Organ Symphonies, Vol. 5