This year we are excited to present something quite different from our normal offerings by featuring Olivier Latry, the titular organist from the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris! He has chosen a wonderful and diverse program that includes a work by Beethoven written for mechanical organ, an instrument that played music independently using a revolving cylinder with pins to designate the needed pipes. In addition to works by Liszt, Schumann, and Bach, Latry will finish his recital with one of his signature improvisations, this time on themes of Beethoven. Historically, improvisation was common-place among keyboard musicians, and they were usually based on popular themes of the day (Beethoven himself was a brilliant improviser). In the 19th-century for example, piano recitals nearly always ended with improvisations and these virtuosic displays allowed performers to showcase their technical prowess. Over time, for pianists, this tradition and skill faded into oblivion, but thankfully we have organists (and jazz musicians!) keeping it alive into the 21-century.

We have chosen the organ at Central Lutheran Church in Winona for several reasons, one of which is the unusual placement of the instrument. It is common practice for organ recitals to feature a large video feed in front of the audience showing the organist hidden far away in a balcony somewhere. When the artists take a bow, audience members are usually forced to turn around, look way up, and do their best to catch a glimpse of the performer. At Central Lutheran Church, the organ is located front and center in full view of every audience member. We generally take for granted being able to see as well as hear our artists. So, for anyone not in the habit of attending organ concerts, don’t underestimate this unusual opportunity to be able to see not only the organ, but the organist as well.

Olivier Latry will perform two concerts of the same program (except for the improvisation!) on July 2 & 3 as part of the 2019 Minnesota Beethoven Festival at Central Lutheran Church in Winona. This will be an event not to be missed!

– Ned Kirk, Artistic & Managing Director