The 6th Edition of the Canadian International Organ Competition

MONTREAL, OCTOBER 17 th, 2024 – Coinciding with the highly anticipated 6th edition of the triennial organ competition, the Canadian International Organ Competition will also present its annual Grand Organ Festival, featuring esteemed members of its international jury. A testament to the timeless beauty, power, and versatility of the pipe organ, this month-long celebration of the “King of Instruments” will run primarily from October 15 to November 2.

True to its tradition, the festival promises world-class performances and unforgettable events and activities. Events will be held throughout Montreal, with special excursions to Québec City, Saint-Hyacinthe, and Ottawa.

Over two dozen events are planned at some of the finest venues the city has to offer, including concerts by renowned organists Olivier Latry, Bernard Foccroulle, Hans-Ola Ericsson, and others; educational masterclasses led by distinguished CIOC 2024 jury members Isabelle Demers, Kimberly Marshall, and David Hurd; and our Gala Concert featuring the top three CIOC prizewinners. Final round performances will take place on October 25th on the Maison symphonique’s Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year!

Audiences can look forward to a diverse range of programming designed to showcase the organ in innovative and creative ways. The first international juror to perform is Kevin Bowyer, whose program Ascendo will take place on October 19th at Ascension of Our Lord Church in Westmount. The concert will feature novel contemporary organ works, including music by Québec’s much-beloved Claude Vivier and the North-American premiere of composer Nancy Johnstone’s 2024 work “Splice”. Audiences will also have the opportunity to hear great organ virtuosi play on some of Montreal’s many iconic instruments, including a choir and organ performance with acclaimed composer David Hurd (October 20th at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul); Dialogues entre composition d’hier et d’aujourd’hui with Bernard Foccroulle, performing early music and contemporary selections, including Ana Sokolović’s “T-Rex” (October 23rd at the Église de l’Immaculée-Conception); Messiaen’s Livre du Saint-Sacrement with Hans-Ola Ericsson, a unique chance to hear the iconic 20th-century work in its entirety on one of the city’s most renowned pipe organs (October 26th at the Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal); and Cycles dans le temps with Kimberly Marshall as part of the 30th anniversary of the Festival des couleurs de l’orgue français (October 27th at the Chapelle des Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice au Domaine du fort de la montagne).

In addition to these special events, Joachim Segger and juror Marnie Geisbrecht, who together are Duo Majoya, will be performing Canadian Suite Celebrations (October 24th at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul), offering delightful selections by Canadian composers for organ with piano. Extending beyond the city of Montreal, Isabelle Demers will be presenting In memoriam: Rachel Laurin (1961-2023) in Ottawa, paying tribute to the beloved Canadian composer with the world premiere of Laurin’s final organ work (October 28th at Église Sainte-Anne / Saint-Clément), and a concert with world-renowned organist Olivier Latry (organist titulaire at Notre-Dame de Paris) in Québec City (November 2nd at the Basilique Notre-Dame de Québec).

The Canadian International Organ Competition is proud to present the Festival des Couleurs de l’orgue français as part of our 2024 Grand Organ Festival program. Now celebrating its 30th annual edition, this festival (under the artistic direction of Yves-G. Préfontaine) offers free concerts (by voluntary contribution) each Sunday in October at the Chapelle des Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice au Domaine du fort de la montagne (formerly the Grand Séminaire de Montréal) at 3 p.m. The 2024 edition will include performances by Yves-G. Préfontaine (October 6), Jennifer Loveless (October 13), Jean-Luc Perrot (October 20), and international jury member Kimberly Marshall (October 27).

This year, the festival opened with a reception co-hosted by the Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice in celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Livre d’orgue de Montréal, a famed 18th century manuscript containing about 400 works for the organ, making it one of the largest surviving manuscripts by the French organ school from the reign of Louis XIV.

In addition to our festival concerts, we warmly invite you to attend the rounds of our international organ competition. Taking place every three years, the 2024 competition marks the 6th edition of the prestigious event, during which 11 candidates from 6 different countries will compete on some of Canada’s finest organs for the chance to win prizes totaling more than $100,000 CAD. The competitors will be judged by a jury composed of some of the most eminent, internationally renowned figures in the music scene, many of whom will also give performances as part of Grand Organ Festival. Final round performances will take place on October 25th on the Maison symphonique’s Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year!

Additional details and ticketing information are available at www.ciocm.org

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