Organ recital: Olivier Latry

Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 8:30 PM

Estimated Run Time: 1 hour

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

More than any other instrument, the organ is a matter of transmission, with the great masters passing on to their disciples both the instruments they have played and the poetics they have developed. Focusing on the figure of Louis Vierne, organist at Notre-Dame from 1900 to 1937, Olivier Latry explores the music of his students and friends, Maurice Duruflé, Jehan Alain, and Gaston Litaize. The latter, in turn, passed on his art to artists such as Olivier Latry.
Another unique feature of the organ is the centuries-old practice of transcription: like many of his colleagues at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Vierne reworked Bach's masterpieces for the grand symphonic organ, as did Henri Messerer with the iconic Chaconne.
Olivier Latry will use his talent to trace these illustrious and fascinating connections.

Photo by ©Henry Buffeteau

Program

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Chaconne (excerpt from Violin Partita n° 2 BWV 1004, transcription by Henri Messerer)

César Franck (1822-1890)
Choral n° 3 FWV 40

Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
Carillon de Westminster, excerpt from 24 pièces de fantaisie

Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Litanies

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Prélude et fugue sur le nom d’Alain op. 7

Cast

Olivier Latry, grand organ