Olivier Penin

Biography

Olivier Penin is one of the most remarkable organists of his generation. Born in 1981, he began playing the piano at the age of five and entered the Maîtrise de Caen in 1987. After obtaining his organ prize, he was appointed in 2004 by competition to the tribune of the great organ of the basilica of Sainte Clotilde in Paris. Open to music from all eras, he interprets works by composers from the 17th century to the present day and publishes videos on the you tube site that now exceed 2, 5 million views. In 2022, his 7th album was released on the Brilliant Classics label with the complete organ works of César Franck in 3 discs recorded on the organ of the Basilica of Saint Clotilde. In 2024, he recorded a CD "Bach à la française" where he proposes to cross the genius of Bach with that of the organ builders of Sainte-Clotilde. He now plays in France and abroad both alone and with vocal ensembles or orchestras. Alone, he is regularly invited to various European countries (Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Denmark,...) but has also performed in Russia, Mexico, the United States and Japan. He has also collaborated with various orchestras (Orchestre Lamoureux, Orchestre Colonne, Chamber Orchestra of The Hague...) to perform the great works for orchestra and organ (Poulenc's Concerto, Handel's Concerti, Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3, Respighi's Suite in G major...) but also original works (C. Franck's symphonic variations in his arrangement for organ and orchestra, the Grand Pièce Symphonique by C. Franck orchestrated by G. Guillard,...) He could then be heard on the radio alone or with various groups (Radioclassique, France musique, etc.). He then takes particular care to offer programs where the works are put into perspective under a theme or an idea in order to take the listener on a journey. He then performed works from the Baroque, Romantic and contemporary periods. Very interested in today's music, he has been able to ensure the premiere of works (Organ Concerto by Lise Borel "at the Château d'Argol", Olivier Schmidt - "The Tears of Penitence", Pierre-Adrien Charpy - "Source", Stéphane Delplace - fugue "Bach Panther", "Aria", "Lux aeterna", "Tenebrae factae sunt"...). He is a member of juries of international competitions and is regularly invited to give masterclasses (USA, Germany, Italy, Poland, England, Croatia, South Korea, etc.). In 2025, his "Mouvements de l’esprit" (Veni Creator) for solo organ was premiered. Download bio as PDF (FR, UK, D, NL).
Olivier Penin is one of the most remarkable organists of his generation. Born in 1981, he began playing the piano at the age of five and entered the Maîtrise de Caen in 1987. After obtaining his organ prize, he was appointed in 2004 by competition to the tribune of the great organ of the basilica of Sainte Clotilde in Paris. Open to music from all eras, he interprets works by composers from the 17th century to the present day and publishes videos on the you tube site that now exceed 2, 5 million views. In 2022, his 7th album was released on the Brilliant Classics label with the complete organ works of César Franck in 3 discs recorded on the organ of the Basilica of Saint Clotilde. In 2024, he recorded a CD "Bach à la française" where he proposes to cross the genius of Bach with that of the organ builders of Sainte-Clotilde. He now plays in France and abroad both alone and with vocal ensembles or orchestras. Alone, he is regularly invited to various European countries (Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Denmark,...) but has also performed in Russia, Mexico, the United States and Japan. He has also collaborated with various orchestras (Orchestre Lamoureux, Orchestre Colonne, Chamber Orchestra of The Hague...) to perform the great works for orchestra and organ (Poulenc's Concerto, Handel's Concerti, Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3, Respighi's Suite in G major...) but also original works (C. Franck's symphonic variations in his arrangement for organ and orchestra, the Grand Pièce Symphonique by C. Franck orchestrated by G. Guillard,...) He could then be heard on the radio alone or with various groups (Radioclassique, France musique, etc.). He then takes particular care to offer programs where the works are put into perspective under a theme or an idea in order to take the listener on a journey. He then performed works from the Baroque, Romantic and contemporary periods. Very interested in today's music, he has been able to ensure the premiere of works (Organ Concerto by Lise Borel "at the Château d'Argol", Olivier Schmidt - "The Tears of Penitence", Pierre-Adrien Charpy - "Source", Stéphane Delplace - fugue "Bach Panther", "Aria", "Lux aeterna", "Tenebrae factae sunt"...). He is a member of juries of international competitions and is regularly invited to give masterclasses (USA, Germany, Italy, Poland, England, Croatia, South Korea, etc.). In 2025, his "Mouvements de l’esprit" (Veni Creator) for solo organ was premiered. Download bio as PDF (FR, UK, D, NL).

Biography

© 2025 OLIVIER PENIN MENU

Olivier Penin