Born in 1992 in Auxerre, Mélissa OSKWAREK began music with the study of the piano. Then, she discovered the organ and studied with Jean-Philippe Mesnier in the conservatory of this city. She obtained the first diploma in theory of music in 2008 and the first diploma in organ in 2010.
Then, she entered the conservatory in Saint-Maur-Des-Fossés, near Paris, when she studied with Eric Lebrun and obtained the “Perfectionnement Prize” in 2012 and bachelor’s degree in musicology at University of Sorbonne.
Now, she studies in Master’s degree to the Conservatory (CNSMD) to Lyon with François Espinasse and Liesbeth Schlumberger and to the University of Lyon 2 (Master’s degree education of the music).
She is titular-organist at Sainte Thérèse to Villeurbanne.
She is laureate of prize “Jean-Sébastien Bach” in the International Organ Competition of Biarritz.

Mélissa OSKWAREK – Chartres 2012

Ben van Oosten was born in The Hague in 1955.

He studied organ and piano at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam and in Paris. Since 1970 his numerous highly successful concert tours have taken Ben van Oosten to the foremost international organ venues, where he has emerged as one of the most remarkable organ virtuosos of our time.

In addition to his concert career he gives organ masterclasses in many countries and is Professor of Organ at Rotterdam Conservatory. Ben van Oosten has dedicated himself exhaustively to French symphonic organ music. His recordings of the eight organ sonatas of Alexandre Guilmant and the complete organ works of Camille Saint-Saëns, Louis Vierne, Charles-Marie Widor and Marcel Dupré have been awarded many international prizes (including the Echo Klassik, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik, Choc du Monde de la Musique and Diapason d’Or).

He is also author of the comprehensive Widor biography, Charles-Marie Widor – Vater der Orgelsymphonie (Charles-Marie Widor – Father of The Organ Symphony).

Because of his services to French organ culture Ben van Oosten was honoured on three occasions by the Société Académique Arts, Sciences, Lettres in Paris. The French government created him Chevalier (1998) and Officier (2011) dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and in 2010 he was created Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion by H.M. the Queen of The Netherlands.

Ben van Oosten is Titular Organist of the Grote Kerk in The Hague and Artistic Director of the international organ festival that takes place annually in this church.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_van_Oosten

Jacques van Oortmerssen (b1950) has been a prominent figure in the organ world for many years. He is internationally renowned for his versatility and particularly for his performances of the music of J. S. Bach. Van Oortmerssen studied first in Rotterdam where he completed his soloist diplomas for both organ, as a student of André Verwoerd, and for piano as a student of Elly Salomé. Thereafter he undertook postgraduate study with Marie-Claire Alain in Paris. He was awarded the Prix d’Excellence in 1976. He was appointed Professor of Organ at the Amsterdam Conservatory in 1979, at an exceptionally young age, and, in 1982, succeeded Gustav Leonhardt as Organiste-Titulaire of the Waalse Kerk in Amsterdam.

Jacques van Oortmerssen enjoys an international reputation as both soloist and pedagogue, in which context he is regularly invited to teach at universities and conservatories throughout the world.

A former visiting Professor of Organ at the universities of Gothenburg and Helsinki, as well as at the Conservatory of Lyon, van Oortmerssen was nominated Guest Professor of Organ (Betts Fellow) at the University of Oxford during the academic year 1993/94. In 2012 he will receive an Honorary Doctorate from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. He regularly performs throughout Europe, North and South America, Africa, Japan, and South Korea, and is frequently invited to play at prestigious international festivals such as the BBC Proms, the City of London Festival, and the Prague Spring Festival. As a recording artist, van Oortmerssen has featured on more than 50 CD releases for prominent international labels, as well as broadcasting on both radio and television. He is presently under contract to Challenge Classics, for whom he is recording the complete organ works of J. S. Bach; a project which has generated significant international interest and recognition.

http://www.oortmerssen.com/

Massimo Nosetti, born in Alessandria (Italy) in 1960, studied organ, composition, choral music and direction, polyphonic composition at the National Conservatories of Turin and Milan. Afterwards, he studied organ with P. Pidoux and J. Langlais. Currently he is Professor of Organ and Composition at the National Conservatory in Cuneo and since 1981 has been titular organist at the Basilica of Santa Rita in Turin. Also from 1979 to 1994 he was Director of Music at the Turin Cathedral.

He frequently gives organ recitals, lectures and master class in all European countries, Russia, the USA, Canada, Mexico, South America, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and has composed and published many works for organ, choir and orchestra. A collection of organ pieces “A Portrait of M. Nosetti” has recently been released by ANIMUS Music Publishing (G.B.) His “Ecce Lignum Crucis”, an orchestral work commissioned for the exhibition of the Holy Shroud in 1998 and 2000, has been performed and recorded by the RAI- Italian Radio Symphonic Orchestra.

He also is interested in the aspects of organ-building and church music as a member of the Diocesan Commission of Sacred Music and as a consultant of the National Commission for Sacred Music. From 1999 to 2004 he was also Vice-President of the Italian Association of St. Cecilia and at present he is Dean of the organ department of this Association.

In 2005 he has been appointed titular Cathedral organist by the Archbishop of Turin.

Massimo Nosetti has made organ recordings for Radio Vaticana, RAI (Italy), ORF (Austria), RIAS (Germany), Radio Belgium, NHK (Japan) as well as 31 CDs for the labels of RUSTY RECORDS, BNL, SYRIUS, ECO, ELEGIA, CARRARA with repertoire mainly focused from 19th Century to the present days.

Massimo Nosetti died in November 2013.

http://www.massimonosetti.it/

Born in 1935 in Copenhagen, graduating in 1954 organist diploma Danish Royal Conservatory in Copenhagen in 1955 and began a concert career.

In 1957, he studied with Professor Anton Heiller (Wien).

In 1959, scholar of the French state, he was a pupil of Gaston Litaize (Paris), and then continued his studies at the National Conservatory of Paris in the “foreign” class for the direction of Robert Blot Orchestra.

1964 First prize in Bruges, 1969 press service of Copenhagen Art Prize 1972 Award of Honour of Professor Ove Christensen.

Organist (Domorganist) at the Copenhagen Cathedral (1972).

Until 1975, he was professor of organ at the music school in Aalborg and was a jury member at international organ competitions (1976, jury member of the International Competition of Chartres, 1986 Member of the Competition Jury Dublin International.

Niels Henrik Nielsen has played throughout Europe, USA, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, and has become an expert in romantic music and one of the best Danish interpreters of Olivier Messiaen. He has participated in various radio and television, recording numerous CDs.

http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/mennesker/orgelmusikkens-fine-fortolker

Born:  May 12, 1941 – Los Angeles, California, USA

The American organist, harpsichordist, fortepianist, conductor and composer, Anthony Newman, studied in Paris with Alfred Cortot, Nadio Boulanger and the famous organist Pierre Cochereau. He received a Diplome Superieur from the École Normale de Musique with a special commendation from Alfred Cortot. In the USA, he trained with pianist Edith Oppens and composers Leon Kirchner and Luciano Berio, and served as choral assistant to New York Pro Musica – Director Noah Greenberg.

For over 26 years, the multifaceted Anthony Newman has been in the public eye as one of the country’s leading organ virtuosos and as a prodigiously active harpsichordist, fortepianist, conductor, composer, writer and recording artist. His more than 140 releases cover a full range of styles from the 17th century to the 20th century. Many of his recordings have been singled out for excellence, and his 1989 fortepiano performance of Beethoven’s Third Concerto was chosen by Stereo Review as “Record of the Year”.

A frequent collaborator with many notable artists, Anthony Newman has recorded recently for Sony Classical with Wynton Marsalis and the English Chamber Orchestra on In Gabriel’s Garden. Released in June 1996, it quickly reached the top spot on Billboard’s chart of classical bestsellers. A number of his Newport Classic compact discs were released by Sony Classical at the beginning of 1997 as part of their Essential Classics series. Also due for release is a disc of Christmas Organ Music.

Anthony Newman’s 1994-1995 season included engagements with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, with which he gave the premiere of a new Concerto for Organ. In 1996 he appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for performances of the Brandenburg Concertos. He also continued his activities as a recitalist with appearances at the harpsichord and organ throughout the country.

Anthony Newman’s duo recitals with flautist Eugenia Zukerman are heard from Washington to Los Angeles, and are now in their twelfth season at the New York Public Library. His performances with soprano Julianne Baird and the Brandenburg Collegium have been enthusiastically received in cities across the country, and his solo appearances as an organist and harpsichordist in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, San Francisco, Mexico City, Paris, Prague and Vienna have confirmed his reputation as one of the keyboard masters of his generation.

In previous seasons, Anthony Newman has been a guest with many major orchestras and has appeared on national television in the “Gala of Stars” special. He has conducted the Los Angeles Chamber, Mostly Mozart Festival, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Newman was responsible for the revival of Paul Hindemith’s opera Sancta Suzanna and conducted it in Prague, where it received unanimous critical accolades. A frequent guest with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, he was a consultant in the selection of an organ for Alice Tully Hall, and was invited to perform on the instrument for Miss Tully’s 90th birthday celebration in the 1993-1994 season.

A prolific composer, Anthony Newman has had his works performed worldwide, including London, Paris, Budapest and Vienna, and in Germany. His extensive catalogue include five concertos, three orchestral sinfonias and a variety of works for piano and organ, as well as chamber music for strings, winds and brass.

Anthony Newman’s own teaching career has included positions at the Juilliard School and Indiana University, and he currently heads the graduate music program at Purchase College of the State University of New York. He also serves as director of music for St Matthew’s Church in Bedford, NY. He is the founder and administrator of Hands On Outreach, an organisation that provides food to shelters and the indigent in White Plains, New York, and is a member of Hospice, a national organisation dedicated to providing comfort to the terminally ill. In Europe, he has served as Dean of the European Mozart Academy in Krakow, Poland.

http://www.anthonynewmanmusician.org/bio

Ae-shell NAM was born in South Corea in 1988. At the age of six he takes his first piano lessons. Passionate about music, he joins the organ class at the college of art and music in Seoul (Seoul Yego) where he receives an excellent musical knowledge.

His concentrates on a special training in sacred music at the Yonsei University under the direction of Su-one PARK and Tongsoon KWAK, widening his musical repertoire to the 19th century.

In 2011, he continues his training in the organ class of Eric Lebrun (interpretation), and in the improvisation class of Pierre Pincemaille at the regional conservatory in Saint-Maur des Fossés.
He entered in Paris Conservatory(CNSMDP) at Master with Olivier Latry and Michel Bouvard in 2013. Now he continues Artist Diploma in Paris Conservatory, and Konzert-examen in Hochschule fur Musik und Theater Hamburg with Wolfgang Zerer.

He wins the 3rd Prize during the 4th edition of the Jang Choen-Kiais Competition in 2007.
At the first International Organ Competition in Lyon in 2009 he takes part in the semi-finals in interpretation.
He won the Audience prize at the International Organ Competition “Grand Prix de Chartres” in 2010, and 3rd Prize at the International Organ Competition 2013 César Franck Haarlem in the Netherlands.
In 2014, he is also a finalist at the International Organ Competition of Chartres.

Ae-Shell NAM – Chartres 2013

Félix Moreau was born in Aigrefeuille-sur-Maine in the heart of Nantais vineyards.
Grand-son and son organists, he was initiated to the organ from the age of 5 years, then he began his musical studies in Nantes, with Canon Marcel Courtonne, Cathedral organist who was himself a disciple Vincent d’Indy and Louis Vierne.

After classical studies, Latin, Greek, Philosophy and Theology studies, Félix Moreau continued his musical studies in Paris in 1948.
The Masters will be Marcel Dupré, André Fleury and mainly Maurice Duruflé for harmony, counterpoint, fugue, composition, interpretation and improvisation.

Titular of the Great Organ of the Cathedral of Nantes since the death of Marcel Courtonne in 1954, he was also professor of Scripture and Organ Music at the Angers National Conservatoire and for 18 years at the National School of Music of Saint Nazaire.

He is Honorary President of the Association of “Liturgical Organists” France.

As a composer, he was winner of the “Laffont Prize” in 1954. First National Prize of “Sacred Music” in 1956. He is the author of numerous vocal music pages : Masses, psalms, motets, etc … and important organ pieces : “Fancy” and “Modal Suite” in 1957, “Incarnation” in 1961, “Genesis” in 1973, “Hymnal” in 1988, the Toccata “Cry of Hope” in 1992, etc …
A moment influenced by Messiaen, the serial system and twelve-tone music, his work is nevertheless marked by the imprint of Gregorian Chant, which may be, he said, “the deepest source of his inspiration.”
He transcribed for organ, the prelude to the first solo violin sonata in D minor by JS Bach.

As an organist soloist, he has given numerous recitals in France, Paris and Province, but also abroad : Germany, England, Switzerland, North America… Soloist at the ORTF, he was invited to several major festivals : Steinfeld, Markendelfield, Sakingen Germany, Lausanne, Switzerland, Renaissance Organ in Bordeaux, Marienthal, Strasbourg…

In 1971, he published “The Great Organ of the Cathedral of Nantes” and written many articles in various journals, “the organist,” “Sacred Music” magazine “Organ” (No. 100). He has been invited several times to Notre Dame de Paris by Pierre Cochereau, and opened more than 100 Organs.

His repertoire has no exclusive, but it has a predilection for the French Classical, if well served by its organ of antes Cathedral, as well as the French School Symphony : César Franck, Louis Vierne, Maurice Duruflé his Master Olivier Messiaen and especially Jehan Alain he admired without reservation. Not forgetting of course the Master of Masters, Johann Sebastian Bach.

He recorded the “Three Chorales” on the Great Organ Historical Cavaillé-Coll of Luçon Cathedral, the “French Christmas” on Nantes Cathedral and a CD with Forlane editions devoted to French music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as the Nantes Cathedral.

http://www.musimem.com/moreau.htm

Born in 1987, Virgil Monin studied music at the Conservatory of Nantes, where he received lessons from Michel Bourcier. He also studied improvisation in the class of Pierre Pincemaille, conservatory of Saint-Maur-des-Fosses. He also benefits from advice from Jean Guillou, Thierry Escaich and Henry-Franck Beaupérin.

Virgil Monin is currently studying at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Paris, in writing class. In 2011, he won three international competitions : Angers (Grand Prix Jean-Louis Florentz organ of the Academy of Fine Arts, Institute of France), Luxembourg and Biarritz (Grand Prix André Marchal).

He also obtained a degree in musicology at Rennes University.

Virgil Monin plays regularly in concert, both in France and abroad.

Virgile MONIN – Chartres 2012

http://www.virgilemonin.com/

Hans-Dieter Möller, was born in 1939 in Duisburg.

Sacred music education, composition and organ at the Folkwang Hochschule, Essen. 1966 : improvisation studies in Paris with Jean Langlais.

1977 : appointed professor of organ (interpretation and improvisation) at the Robert-Schumann-Hochschule Düsseldorf. Since 1986, he is expert organ of the Archdiocese of Cologne.

Giving concerts and master classes in most European countries and in North America, he is also jury in national and international competitions (Grand Prix de Chartres 1976 Berlin Mendelssohn,…).

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Dieter_M%C3%B6ller