Organ Virtuoso Loreto Aramendi in Concert in Surrey

Loreto Aramendi, an international concert artist and main organist of the Basilica of Santa María del Coro in San Sebastián, Spain, returns to the Lower Mainland !  Loreto performed at St James’ Church in 2023 to a full church, and the audience appreciation of was reflected in an extended ovation in recognition of her extra-ordinary musicianship.

Last year, Loreto’s programme included a number of symphonic transcriptions of works by Liszt, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, and Saint-Saëns.  These works are not simplified arrangements, but concert versions of great orchestral works which push both the instrument and player to the limit.  As such, they show off the rich tonal colours of the organ necessary for interpreting orchestral music which are otherwise unheard in strict organ repertoire.  As well, the organ transcriptions require a musician of exceptional virtuosic and artistic skill – and that, Loreto Aramendi has in spades.

This year’s programme includes a few transcriptions, such the Pilgrim’s Chorus by Richard Wagner and St François de Paule marchant sur les flots by Franz Liszt, as well as some of the finest compositions specifically written for the organ including Jean Alain’s Litanies, Nicolaus Bruhns’ Prelude in E Minor ( ‘ The Great ‘ ), and  Maurice Duruflé’s Theme et variation final sur le Veni Creator.

In addition to Loreto’s concerts at St. James’ in Vancouver and Maranatha in Surrey, she will be presenting a Masterclass and Workshop on Saturday morning, February 17th at 9 am, at St James’ Anglican Church.  Sponsored by the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, the Masterclass is an opportunity for students to receive valuable feedback on their performance by an expert — which Loreto certainly is !  And at 10.30 am that same morning, Loreto will present a Workshop.  If you have ever wondered how organ stops are used to create the classic ‘organ sounds,’ how they can imitate the sound of various instruments of the orchestra, and how the organist uses registration aids, the Workshop will explain all.