Olivier Latry

By Voice staff

Olivier Latry, one of the world’s most celebrated organists, will perform at the dedicatory organ concert at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11.

“This is a rare opportunity to hear him play here,” said Rudy de Vos, director of cathedral music.

Latry, 47, the titular organist at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, will perform works by Bach and French composers such as Maurice Durufle. The program will end with “an improvisation on submitted themes,” de Vos said.

Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Latry began to study piano at age seven and the organ at age 12. He later attended the Academy of Music at St. Maur-des-Fosses, where he studied the organ with Gaston Litaize. He served as titular organist at Meaux Cathedral from 1981 – 1985. At the age of 23 he won a competition to become one of the three titular organists of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

In addition to his position at Notre Dame Cathedral, Latry taught organ at the Academy of Music at St. Maur-des-Fosses from 1990 – 1995, and at the Paris Conservatory since 1995. He also carries out an active career as a recording artist, with his work appearing on the BNL label in France.

As a concert performer Latry chose to not specialize in music of a particular period and in the process gained a reputation in improvisation in the tradition of noted artists from Charles Tournemire to Pierre Cochereau. He has performed in more than 40 countries on five continents. He has made numerous appearances in the U.S.

The Conroy Memorial Organ is a 92-rank organ crafted by Letournou of Quebec, Canada.

Though tickets for the Feb. 11 dedicatory concert are free for the general public, seating will be limited. To reserve a seat, contact the Cathedral Shop at (510) 496-7280.

As The Voice went to press, de Vos said there is more interest in the concert “than we have room in the Cathedral for.” But de Vos noted that there will be more opportunities for the public to hear the Conroy Memorial Organ, which was blessed by Bishop Salvatore Cordileone on Jan. 3.

Starting on March 6, de Vos will begin a series of monthly inaugural organ recitals through June that will feature other distinguished organists including Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin in April, Susan Matthews in May and Thomas Murray in June.

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