organ music was seldom written in the classical era, as composers preferred the piano with its ability to create dynamics. in germany, the six sonatas op. 65 of felix mendelssohn (published 1845) marked the beginning of a renewed interest in composing for the organ. inspired by the newly built cavaillé-coll organs, the french organist-composers césar franck, alexandre guilmant and charles-marie widor led organ music into the symphonic realm. the development of symphonic organ music continued with louis vierne and charles tournemire. widor and vierne wrote large-scale, multi-movement works called "organ symphonies" that exploited the full possibilities of the symphonic organ. max reger and sigfrid karg-elert's symphonic works made use of the abilities of the large romantic organs being built in germany at the time.