Organist, improviser, composer, lecturer, and charismatic media personality — Xaver Varnus belongs to that rare class of artists whose talent and creative energy transcend boundaries. The entire world is his stage. As the artistic director of his own international music festival, held in his concert hall within a 19th-century church building in Nova Scotia, Canada, Varnus tirelessly promotes the art of organ music and its power to inspire and elevate.

It is our great honor and sincere pleasure to welcome this distinguished Hungarian musician to our cathedral, where he will perform on the magnificent Eisenbarth organ.

His solo organ recital will take place on September 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. Anastasia in Zadar, as part of the Third International Festival “Organs of St. Anastasia.”

https://www.xavervarnus.com/

Xaver Varnus was born in Budapest in 1964, the first child of a mathematician mother and a jazz pianist father. By the age of six, Varnus knew exactly what he wanted to become. His first piano teacher was Emma Németh, one of Claude Debussy's last students. An organist, improviser, author, lecturer and media personality, Varnus had a dramatic influence on the public's acceptance and appreciation of organ music.

During his career, Varnus has played live to over seven million people worldwide, recorded 53 albums, 60 concert films and written 5 books. In 2006, he played at the inaugural concert of the great organ of the Palace of Arts in Budapest, and in 2009, he gave two sold-out concerts with the iconic French jazz pianist Jacques Loussier at the Palace of Arts. In 2011, he gave two joint concerts with the legendary Rhoda Scott, which sold 30,000 tickets in one weekend.

Mr. Varnus' videos have exceeded 35 million views on YouTube. His concert film of Bach, filmed at his recital at the Berliner Dom in 2013, has become the most-watched organ concert film in music history, with 15 million views. His Quadruple Platinum Disc Award-winning album "From Ravel to Vangelis," released by SONY in 2007, is the best-selling collection of organ recordings ever.

Xaver Varnus received many decorations, including the Order of the Most Excellent Order of the Republic of Hungary, the Officer's and Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit.

The concert program of Xaver Varnus, to be performed on September 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, Zadar, on the Eisenbarth organ:

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

St. Matthew Passion

Opening Chorus

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

Symphony No. 40.

First movement

MAURICE RAVEL

Pavane for the memory of a long ago princess

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Fifth Symphony

First Movement

CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR

Toccata

IMPROVISATION

On a given theme-Himan sv. Stošije

We look forward to welcoming you!