Raúl Prieto Ramírez, Organist

Thank you! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] “Raúl Prieto Ramírez is a colossally talented organist. His fearless playing and at-times brazen registrations gave his eclectic program a nervy, exciting flair so often lacking in classical recitals. He’s the whole package — flawless technique and solid repertoire executed with the flair and bravado of a matador.

A highly satisfying afternoon. ” — Washington Blade [/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] “Raúl Prieto Ramírez extracted the full potential of the organ and maintained such a high level of playing that the audience jumped to a standing ovation. Raúl holds his audience and enthuses them.” — el Punt de Mataró [/et_pb_testimonial][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Meet the Performers” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Meet the Artist [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://madisonsymphony.org/wp-content/uploads/Raul-Prieto-Ramirez-headshot.jpg” alt=”mso music director john demain” title_text=”Raúl Prieto Ramírez headshot” align=”center” admin_label=”Raúl Prieto Ramírez Image” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Raúl Prieto Ramírez Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Raúl Prieto Ramírez , organ View Biography [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”] Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors! MAJOR SPONSORS Friends of the Overture Concert Organ Judith Werner, in memory of Stephen Caldwell Jennifer Younger and Thomas Rae Smith ADDITIONAL SPONSORS Mark Huth and Meghan Walsh [/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Curator Recognition” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”] Greg Zelek is the MSO’s Principal Organist and Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curator of the Overture Concert Organ. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”#ramirez” module_id=”ramirez” module_class=”popup” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ da_is_popup=”on” da_popup_slug=”ramirez” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Ramirez Bio” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”] With words like “sizzling”, iconoclastic”, “impeccable”, and “transcendent” used to describe his performances, Raúl Prieto Ramírez is the first Spanish organist in recent times to establish himself among the elite of the international pipe organ scene.

“The powerful personality, passionate expressiveness, gift for communication, and outstanding technique of Spanish organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez make him shine in a wide range of repertoire and styles”. (Los Angeles Times) He is San Diego Civic Organist and Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society, where he presides over the famed Austin organ at the city’s Balboa Park Pavilion – the largest open-air musical instrument in the world. Mr.

Ramírez is the eighth Civic Organist to serve San Diego on the Spreckels organ bench. He is the director of the widely renowned San Diego International Summer Organ Festival, now in its 37th year. At age 27, as the first Organist of Spain’s National Concert Hall in Madrid, Mr.

Ramírez increased attendance by a multiple of 30 and critics hailed him as one of the most exciting talents in the music scene. He later founded the International Organ Festival/Academy in Barcelona, the Sursa American Organ Competition in partnership with Moscow and served as organ consultant for both religious and civil institutions. His global schedule takes him to major festivals and concert halls (from the Mariinsky Theater and Moscow House of Music in Russia to organ churches and cathedrals through Europe and the US), performances and lectures for universities and institutions (such as Indiana University, Baylor, Moscow Conservatory, Graz University, and Chapters of the American Guild of Organists), collaborations in summer academies, and as jury member at international competitions.

After studies in Spain where he received the highest distinctions and awards, Mr. Ramírez moved to Stuttgart on a scholarship from the German government to study organ performance with Ludger Lohmann. At the same time, he was developing his technique with pianist Leonid Sintsev at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St.

Petersburg, Russia. He also worked on interpretation of the different schools of organ literature with Marie-Claire Alain, Guy Bovet, Eric Lebrun, Lionel Rogg, Zsigmond Szathmáry, and Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini, and he also intensively studied composition, orchestral conducting, improvisation, and continuo playing. The premieres of his works have been recorded and broadcast in Spain, including chamber music, organ music, many pieces for solo instruments and a concerto for organ and orchestra that was premiered in Barcelona.

As a result of his varied studies, Mr. Prieto Ramírez possesses a wide and deep knowledge of organ repertoire, styles, and schools, from the 14th century Robertsbridge Codex to the new compositions he commissions. He is respected as a specialist in such disparate subjects as Spanish music, historic keyboard techniques, and modern symphonic transcriptions for the organ.

His transcriptions of Liszt’s piano études and Mephisto Waltz have been praised by audience and critics alike in Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Critics have also highly praised his interpretations of the music of Buxtehude, Bach, Franck, and Reger. His first two compact discs, on the Brilliant Classics label, were recorded at Milan Cathedral in Italy (music of Franck, Liszt, Reger, and Saint-Saëns) and at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona (music for piano and organ duet).

Mr. Ramirez and his wife, Spanish pianist Maria Teresa Sierra, were featured duo artists at the 2016 American Guild of Organists’ national convention in Houston. Raúl Prieto Ramírez is represented exclusively in North America by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, LLC. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]