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