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Join acclaimed organist Maria Gajraj for an evocative journey through the many voices of the organ.
Maria Gajraj brings together the many voices of the organ : the contemplative world of sacred music, the grandeur and colour of the Romantic tradition, the spare intensity of minimalism, and the adventurous soundscape of contemporary music. Her programmes move freely across centuries, revealing unexpected connections between music rooted in ancient traditions and works that stretch the organ into new sonic territory.
In Maria’s hands, the organ becomes both familiar and surprising : capable of profound stillness, luminous textures, rhythmic energy, and vast orchestral colour. Her playing invites us to hear an instrument with centuries of history not as a relic of the past, but as a vibrant and expressive voice today.
Maria Gajraj is an organist, writer, and sound creator who was named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30” in 2026.
A recipient of the Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship (2022), Maria was the most recent First-Prize Winner of the RCCO Canadian National Organ Competition (2025). As of Fall 2026, Maria is Music Director of St. Philip’s Anglican Church in Vancouver.
Maria received her Doctorate of Music from McGill University in 2026. Her doctoral research focused on the music of Edward Margetson, a 20th-century Caribbean organist and composer who campaigned for racial equality through his writings and music. Her research has been published in the UK-based “Organist’s Review” (https://www.organistsreview.com/).
Maria has performed internationally, at venues like Salle Bourgie, Maison Symphonique, and the Orgelpark (Amsterdam) and in series such as Cal Performances (USA) and Bergen Orgelsommer (Norway). Maria is also the programming director of medieval ensemble COMTESSA (https://comtessa.ca/), in which she plays organetto.
Maria’s debut album, “exhale.”, was released on May 23, 2025, by Peoples Places Records (https://peopleplacesrecords.bandcamp.com/album/exhale). “exhale.” is a transformative project that explores the intersection of minimalism and experimentalism within the realm of organ music. The album pushes the boundaries of traditional organ music, with transcriptions of minimalist piano works by women and non-binary composers; a commissioned piece, written in 2024 for the performer; as well as recorded improvisations by the performer on the medieval organetto, with electronics.
In her concert programs, Maria is passionate about highlighting women and composers of colour. By creating engaging concert programs, and by featuring the organ in innovative and multidisciplinary contexts, Maria strives to break stereotypes, and to make the organ more accessible to everyone.
Maria’s “spirited, clean, and colourful performance lent real meaningful significance to this music”
– Pipelines
Three of Charlie Chaplin’s best loved short films: The Champion (1915), The Cure (1917) and The Adventurer (1917). Accompanied live by Michael Dirk, Maria Gajraj and Koos van Nieuwkoop on the historic Wurlitzer organ.
Aart Bijkerk, organist. More details to come.
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| Concert repeated on February 13, also at 7:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria
For more info about Anna Lapwood: https://annalapwood.co.uk/ |
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| For more info about Anna Lapwood: https://annalapwood.co.uk/ |