Olivier Latry

Born on February 22, 1962, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Olivier Latry is an organist, educator, and professor of organ at the Conservatoire de Paris. He is considered one of the best organists of his generation. He was the holder of the great organ of the Cathedral of Meaux from 1981 to 1985. At the age of 23, he became one of the holders of the great organs of Notre-Dame de Paris. Olivier Latry studied at the conservatory in his hometown. In 1978 he entered the organ class of Gaston Litaize at the conservatory of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. Professor at the Catholic Institute of Paris and at the Conservatory of Reims, Olivier Latry succeeded Pierre Cochereau in 1985 as one of three organ holders at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Olivier Latry has performed in more than 50 countries and is considered an ambassador of 17th to 20th century French organ music. Over the course of his career, he has released classic works composed by Bach, Widor, and Duruflé as well as contemporary composers like Thierry Escaich, Jean-Louis Florentz, Thierry Pécou, Kaija Saariaho and Benoît Mernier. As a recording artist, which stretches back to 1985, he has released critically successful albums including Midnight at Notre-Dame (2004), Trois Siècles d'Orgue at Notre-Dame de Paris (2013), Voyages (2017) and Bach to the Future (2019). On December 18, 2019, Olivier Latry was promoted to the rank of officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. In 2021, he released the album Liszt: Inspirations, which was recorded using the concert organ of the Paris Philharmonie.