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French organist Olivier Latry is considered one of the most notable organists of his generation, not only in France, but on the international scene as well. He was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in 1962 where he began his musical studies. He later attended the Academy of Music at St. Maur-des-Fossés, studying organ with Gaston Litaize.
From 1981-1985 Olivier Latry was titular organist of Meaux Cathedral and at the age 23 he won a competition to become one of the three titular organists of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, beside Philippe Lefebvre and Jean-Pierre Leguay. In 1990 he succeeded his teacher, Gaston Litaize, as an organ professor at the Academy of Music at St. Maur-des-Fossés. In 1995 he became organ professor at the Paris Conservatory, succeding Michel Chapuis. He still runs this position with Michel Bouvard and Loïc Mallié.
Olivier Latry has performed in more than forty countries on five continents, appearing most often in the United States. In addition to concerts and teaching, Olivier Latry has made his mark through recordings. Thus far he has several CDs to his credit, including music of Bach, Widor’s Symphonies 5 and 6, Vierne’s Symphonies 2 and 3, the complete works of Duruflé and a CD of pieces by Litaize.
Olivier Latry considers himself an ambassador of seventeenth to twentieth century French organ music. Today he is counted among the most noted “improvisers” in the French tradition from Charles Tournemire to Pierre Cochereau.
Olivier Latry has a particular interest in contemporary music and has premiered works of French composers Xavier Darasse, Claude Ballif, Thierry Pécout, Vincent Paulet, Thierry Escaich, and Jean-Louis Florentz. In early 2000 he performed three complete cycles (six recitals each) 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. These performances were followed by a recording for Deutsche Grammophon of the complete organ works of Olivier Messiaen at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame.
In November 2000 Olivier Latry was awarded the Prix de la Fondation Cino et Simone Del Duca for his work in the field of organ performance and studies.
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