Born in 1962, Olivier Latry is one of the top organists of the present-day world. Appointed organist of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris at the age of 23, his fame has spread beyond Paris as a globally acclaimed concert organist, but he is also a sought-after pedagogue at the Paris Conservatoire as well as at international master classes. In dialogue with music editor and author Stéphane Friédérich, he covers a wide range of topics, revealing both his profound knowledge, and his personal convictions and confessions, always passionately expressed. The reader gains sound information about the self-image of the liturgical organist, organ improvisation, organ building issues, organ composers and compositions, world premieres, competitions, CD recordings, organ studies, popularization of the organ and its music, and much more. In addition to biographical details, the book contains valuable information about 'his' instrument at Notre Dame as well as his important predecessors in the organ loft. A highly readable book, which vastly widens our knowledge, especially of the French organ world, but also occasionally beyond it.

Conversations with Stéphane Friédérich

Translated by Martin Setchell