Thursday, November 24, 2005 - 12:00 Noon

Roy Thomson Hall

FREE Admission

Call 416-872-4255 for further information

Toronto - OLIVIER LATRY is hailed as one of the greatest concert organists of his generation. He makes his Toronto recital debut on Thursday, November 24, 2005 at 12 noon as part of Roy Thomson Hall’s Free Noon-Hour Choir & Organ Series. The event coincides with Mr. Latry’s debut appearances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under maestro Stéphane Denève at Roy Thomson Hall on November 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. This is Mr. Latry’s first Toronto visit.

In 1985, at the age of 23, Olivier Latry stunned the musical world by winning a competition to serve as one of three titular organists of the great Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. This year, he celebrates his 20^th anniversary in this prestigious post. Mr. Latry is also Professor of Organ at the Paris Conservatory.

Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Olivier Latry began piano studies at the age of 7, organ studies at 12, and at 19 was named titular organist at Meaux Cathedral, a position he held for four years before commencing his duties at Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Olivier Latry has performed throughout Asia, Africa, Australia, and the U.S. and has a discography of more than 50 recordings. Most recently, on the Deutsche Grammophon label, he recorded the complete organ works of Olivier Messiaen, the organ music of César Frank, and Midnight at Notre-Dame, which is an album of organ transcriptions.

Mr. Latry is also counted among the organ world’s most noted "improvisateurs," and will conclude his Roy Thomson Hall recital with one of his improvisations.

Roy Thomson Hall’s popular noon-time series is made possible by the continuing generous support of the Edwards Charitable Foundation and spotlights Roy Thomson Hall’s magnificent Gabriel Kney Pipe Organ. With 71 stops and more than 5,000 pipes, the four-manual organ is one of the largest mechanical-action instruments in Canada.

Olivier Latry’s Recital Program:

• Fantaisie and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542
  Johann-Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)

• Andante Sostenuto from Symphonie Gothique
  Charles-Marie WIDOR (1844-1937)

• Carillon de Westminster
  Louis VIERNE (1870-1937)

• Variations sur thème de Clément Jannequin
  Jehan ALAIN (1911-1940)

• Litanies
  Jehan ALAIN

• Two pieces from La Nativité du Seigneur
  - Les Bergers - Dieu parmi nous
  Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992)

• Improvisation
  Olivier LATRY (1962- )