The Titular Organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris performed in Zadar for the second time, marking the highlight of the summer programme of the 3rd International “Organs of St Anastasia” Festival

After leading the organ masterclass “Interpretation and Technique” from 23 to 26 August, the world-renowned French organist Olivier Latry gave a solo recital on the great Eisenbarth organ of St Anastasia’s Cathedral in Zadar on 27 August 2026 at 8:00 p.m. This was the eighth concert of the 3rd International Organ Festival “Organs of St Anastasia” and one of the highlights of its summer programme. Latry presented the Zadar audience with a carefully devised programme spanning works from the Baroque period to the 20th century. Particularly impressive was the fact that he performed the entire demanding programme from memory.

This was Olivier Latry’s second appearance in Zadar. Following his first visit the previous year, his return to St Anastasia’s Cathedral confirmed the continuation of his successful collaboration with the Festival. This year’s visit was particularly significant because, in addition to giving a solo recital, he spent four days working with young organists from Croatia, Italy, Germany and Slovakia, sharing his extensive artistic and pedagogical experience with them.

A programme connecting different stylistic periods

Through the rich sound of the great cathedral organ, Latry presented music from different stylistic periods and demonstrated the instrument’s wide range of expressive possibilities. The programme featured works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Louis Vierne, Gaston Litaize, Jean Langlais, Olivier Messiaen and Marcel Dupré. The concert opened with Bach’s Chaconne for Violin in Henri Messerer’s arrangement for organ, followed by the Sicilienne in Louis Vierne’s organ transcription. Latry then performed Vierne’s Scherzetto and Carillon from the collection Pieces in Free Style, followed by Gaston Litaize’s Scherzo. The second part of the concert included Jean Langlais’ Modal Prelude and Dialogue sur les mixtures from the Suite brève. This was followed by Olivier Messiaen’s Serene Alleluias of a Soul Longing for Heaven from the cycle L’Ascension. The written part of the programme concluded with Marcel Dupré’s demanding and virtuosic Prelude and Fugue in G minor, Op. 7, No. 3.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Chaconne for Violin

organ arrangement: Henri Messerer

Sicilienne

organ transcription: Louis Vierne

Louis Vierne (1870–1937)

Pieces in Free Style

Scherzetto

Carillon

Gaston Litaize (1909–1991)

Scherzo

Jean Langlais (1907–1991)

Modal Prelude

Suite brève

Dialogue sur les mixtures

Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)

L’Ascension

Serene Alleluias of a Soul Longing for Heaven

Marcel Dupré (1886–1971)

Prelude and Fugue in G minor, Op. 7, No. 3

Olivier Latry (born 1962)

Improvisation on the Croatian Marian hymn “Rajska Djevo, Kraljice Hrvata”

A particularly moving improvisation

The official programme concluded with a particularly moving improvisation on the well-known Croatian Marian hymn Rajska Djevo, Kraljice Hrvata (“Heavenly Virgin, Queen of the Croats”). The lyrics were written by the Croatian Jesuit priest and poet Fr Petar Perica, while composer Vladimir Stahuljak adapted the Czech melody to the Croatian text. Starting from the well-known melody, Olivier Latry created a new and unrepeatable musical work in the moment, exploring the wealth of tonal colours and expressive possibilities of the Eisenbarth organ. Inspired by a hymn deeply rooted in Croatia’s religious and musical tradition, the improvisation was one of the most memorable moments of the evening.

The audience rewarded the artist with enthusiastic and prolonged applause, inviting him to perform an encore. To conclude the evening, Latry performed Bach’s chorale Jesus bleibet meine Freude from the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147, bringing his second solo appearance at St Anastasia’s Cathedral to a solemn and inspiring close.

One of the world’s foremost ambassadors of organ music

French organist Olivier Latry is one of the world’s foremost ambassadors of organ music. At the age of just 23, he was appointed Titular Organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Since 2012, he has also held the title of Organist Emeritus of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Throughout his distinguished international career, he has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including the Berlin Philharmonie, Philharmonie de Paris, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Musikverein in Vienna and Royal Festival Hall in London. As a soloist, he has collaborated with leading orchestras and conductors from around the world. He is particularly renowned as an outstanding interpreter of organ repertoire from all periods, an exceptional improviser and a tireless explorer of the instrument’s expressive possibilities.

Olivier Latry’s solo recital brought his several-day visit to Zadar to a fitting conclusion. During his stay, he first shared his knowledge and experience with the participants of the organ masterclass and then presented the audience with a concert programme that connected the great European organ tradition with Croatia’s musical and spiritual heritage.