Skip to page content
  • WDCH
  • LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC WELCOMES ORGAN VIRTUOSO OLIVIER LATRY TO WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
  • Feb. 3, 2008
  • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2008, AT 7:30 PM

    Olivier Latry, one of the world’s most distinguished organists and the titular organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, performs at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday, February 3, at 7:30 p.m. Latry performs a program of mid-20th century French organ repertoire that includes Tournemire’s Choral on Victimae paschali laudes; Duruflé’s Scherzo; Alain’s Two Fantaisies; Langlais’ Recit de Nasard; Dupré’s Prelude and Fugue in G Minor; and Messiaen’s L’Ascension. Latry, renowned as one of the most noted improvisers in the French tradition, concludes the evening with his own improvisational piece.

    The Los Angeles Times described Latry’s performance as a “brilliant, rapturously received recital...culminated with enough razzle-dazzle to bring the audience – consisting of many admiring organists as well as organ aficionados – to its feet…consummate artistry…a superb colorist.”

    Latry captivates audiences with his performance on Walt Disney Concert Hall’s impressive pipe organ. Christoph Bull, University Organist at UCLA, hosts Upbeat Live, a pre-concert event free to all ticket holders in BP Hall one hour prior to the performance.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2007/08 Organ Recital series concludes on May 25, 2008 with minimalist composer Terry Riley, who performs and premieres his own new work for solo organ.

    OLIVIER LATRY titular organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, is one of the world’s most distinguished organists, not only in France, but in the international community as well. Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Latry began his study of piano at the age of 7, and of the organ at age 12; he later attended the Academy of Music at St. Maur-des-Fossés, studying organ with Gaston Litaize. From 1981-1985 Latry was titular organist of Meaux Cathedral and, at age 23, won a competition to become one of the three titular organists of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. From 1990-1995 he taught organ at the Academy of Music at St. Maur-des-Fossés, where he succeeded his teacher, Gaston Litaize. Since 1995 he has taught at the Paris Conservatory, where he has succeeded Michel Chapuis. Latry has made his mark through recordings on the BNL label in France, which include music of Bach, the complete organ works of Maurice Duruflé, Louis Vierne's Symphonies 2 & 3, Widor’s Symphonies 5 and 6, and a recording of works by Litaize. He has recorded with Deutsche Grammophon the complete organ works of Olivier Messiaen, a recording of transcriptions for the organ entitled “Midnight at Notre-Dame” and a recording entitled “In Spiritum” devoted to the organ works of César Franck. Latry has a particular interest in contemporary music and has premiered works of Xavier Darasse, Claude Ballif, Thierry Pecout, Vincent Paulet, Thierry Escaich and Jean-Louis Florentz. In early 2000, he performed three complete cycles of the organ music of Olivier Messiaen, at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City and at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. A recording followed these performances for Deutsche Grammophon of the complete organ works of Messiaen at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame.

    The WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL ORGAN was inaugurated at the opening of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in fall of 2004. Designed by Frank Gehry and Manuel Rosales of Rosales Organ Builders, the Walt Disney Concert Hall organ contains pipes ranging in size from a pencil to a telephone pole, and is voiced with a wide dynamic range from pianississimo to a breathtaking fortissimo. The specially curved wood façade pipes were made by Glatter-Götz Orgelbau of solid, vertical grain Douglas fir and comprise the Violone and Bassoon basses. Behind the facade are three levels of pipes, including metal pipes made of tin and lead alloys and wood pipes made of Norwegian pine.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music — Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association’s involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2008, AT 7:30 pm

    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles



    Organ Recital Series

    OLIVIER LATRY



    TOURNEMIRE Choral on Victimae paschali laudes

    DURUFLÉ Scherzo

    ALAIN Two Fantaisies

    LANGLAIS Recit de Nasard

    DUPRÉ Prelude and Fugue in G Minor

    MESSIAEN L’Ascension

    LATRY Improvisation



    Christoph Bull, University Organist at UCLA, hosts Upbeat Live, a pre-concert event free to all ticket holders in BP Hall one hour prior to the performance.

    Tickets ($22-$47) are on sale now online at LAPhil.com, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For information, please call 323.850.2000.

    # # #

  • Contact:

    Adam Crane, 213.972.3422, acrane@laphil.org; Lisa Bellamore, 213.972.3689, lbellamore@laphil.org; Photos: 213.972.3034