SOPP648: On registration of Widor's Toccata

Published: May 12, 2021, 2:41 p.m.

This question was sent by Joe, and he writes:
\n
\n\u201cVidas,
\n
\nHope all is well with you. I am making much headway on Widor's Toccata, even though I have had limited time to practice.
\n
\nThe score that I purchased from you certainly has helped expedite the learning process - MUCH THANKS!
\n
\nSince the score did not include registration suggestions, I was curious if you know of scores that do include registration.
\n
\nMy organ has the following Stops:\u201d

\n
\nPedal Organ
\nDiapason 16'
\nBourdon 16'
\nQuintaten (Sw) 16'
\nOctave 8'
\nGedackt 8'
\nChoralbass 4'
\nMixture iii
\nPosaune 16'
\nTrompette (SW) 8'
\n
\nSwell Organ
\nQuintaten 16'
\nGedackt 8'
\nViolas II 8'
\nSpitzprinzipal 4'
\nKoppelflote 4'
\nNasat 2-2/3'
\nBlockflote 2'
\nTerz 1-3/5'
\nMixture III
\nBasson 16'
\nTrompette 8'
\nClairon 4'
\n
\nGreat Organ
\nQuintaten (Sw) 16'
\nPrincipal 8'
\nRohrflote 8'
\nViolas II (Sw) 8'
\nOctave 4'
\nSpitzflote 4'
\nsuper Octave 2'
\nWaldflote 2'
\nMixture IV
\nKrummhorn 8'
\n
\nVidas: He has three divisions: Pedal, Swell, and Great, and each has around 10 stops, maybe more. He writes further:
\n
\n\u201cI also have a Floating Division that can be applied to Pedal, Swell, and Great. This includes over 100 stops but cannot be mixed (i.e. only one per Pedal, one for Swell, one for Great).
\n
\nPlease let me know if you have any suggestions for registration based on my Stops List.  If you believe something is missing that is critical, I may have it in my Floating Division.
\n
\nYour expertise would be greatly appreciated.
\n
\nMuch Thanks,
\nJoe Mark\u201d

\n
\nVidas: Here\u2019s what I wrote to him:
\n
\n\u201cThanks Joe!
\n
\nUnfortunately all Widor marks on the score is FFF, FF, F etc. As I haven't made a video of this piece I can't really demonstrate it for you right now. Since you have only 2 manual instrument, try to experiment with adding or omitting the reeds on both divisions one by one. FFF would be Tutti. FF would be without Clairon, F - without Basson, MF - without Trompette, PP - without Krummhorn. Manuals coupled. Pedals need to be reduced accordingly too.
\n
\nHope this helps for now (until I prepare a proper video course).
\n
\nVidas\u201d