Estimated duration

1 h

Organizer

Musiikkitalon urut ry

Organist of Notre-Dame in Paris Thierry Escaich is globally one of the most popular French organist-composer-improvisers. After finishing his studies at the Paris Conservatoire in 1990 and obtaining eight premiers prix, Escaich has been building a successful international career. Escaich’s orchestral works are performed by leading orchestras in Europe, and his vocal and chamber compositions are performed by several renowned artists such as the BBC Singers, A Sei Voci, the Ludwig Quartet, Olivier Latry, and the Trio Wanderer. In 1991, Escaich won the first prize for improvisation at the Strasbourg International Competition, and since 1997 he has been organist of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church, succeeding Maurice Duruflé. As a composer and organist, Escaich is one of the global ambassadors of French music. His recordings for the labels Chamade and Calliope have been awarded with the Grand Prix de la Nouvelle Académie du Disque (1996) and the Choc du Monde de la Musique (1998). As an improviser he is considered to be a successor to Franck and Cochereau. His love for cinema has led him to perform improvised accompaniments on the piano and organ for silent films to demonstrate Frank Borzage’s works. Escaich has held the position of Professor of Composition and Improvisation at the Paris Conservatoire since 1992.