This Sunday, the Barcelona-born organist Aarón Ribas Zorrilla will play this unique instrument in the world

 

Toccata Nocturna opens the programme of this season's organ concert cycle at the Auditorio de Tenerife, a cultural venue linked to the Department of Culture of the Tenerife Island Council that is managed by its island's Minister of Culture, Enrique Arriaga. The Barcelona-born organist Aarón Ribas Zorrilla will play the great instrument housed within the walls of Symphony Hall on Sunday, 11 September, at 12:00 noon. This matinee takes place with the collaboration of the RACBA (San Miguel Archangel Royal Regional Academy of Fine Arts).

This young, award-winning organist, for whom the organ "has the same capacity to induce meditation and momentum", explains that he has found the night to be the best setting for all of this to happen. For Ribas, the germ of this ambitious programme "is for introspection but also for the explosion of brilliant fireworks", in which "the intimacy of the nocturnes contrasts with the force of the toccatas".

The power and depth of the toccatas by Bach, Heiller and Migó are highlighted alongside the delicate lines of the nocturnes by Chopin and the Clair de Lune by Debussy. This dialogue between some of the greatest composers is the result of a long exploratory process that has led Ribas to play in important European settings over recent years.

In 2013, Ribas won first prize in the organ competition to commemorate Joseph Gabler, held in Ochsenhausen (Germany) and first prize in the 82nd edition of the Spanish Permanent Competition for Young Musical Performers, awarded unanimously by the jury. At this competition, he also obtained a special prize from the EMCY (European Union of Competitions for Youth) for a European tour.

For the 2016-2017 season, he was selected by AIE (the Association of Performing Artists) for his Classics in Route series. In 2017 he was a finalist in the Primer Palau series organised by the Palau de la Música Catalana. He recently won second place in the II Francisco Salinas - VIII Centenary of the Cathedral of Burgos national organ competition.

As a solo organist, this performer is committed to contemporary music for the organ. He regularly performs concerts at important festivals and cathedrals in Europe, such as in Spain, Andorra, France, Germany, Lithuania and Italy. He has performed as a soloist and occasionally collaborated with many orchestras.

Thanks to his knowledge, he has advised several projects such as the new organ of the Parish Church of Santa Rita in Madrid. He is currently the organist in the Parish Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the neighbourhood of Argüelles and the Parish Church of Santa Rita in Chamberí, Madrid.

The organ was built in the 20th century by the prestigious organ builder Albert Blancafort and his team, the Auditorium's organ is considered a unique instrument in the world for its design, sound and musical ranges. The sounds are produced by 3,835 pipes that are housed in the walls of the emblematic Symphony Hall, which are controlled by the organist from on-stage through the console where he is performing.

The tickets can be purchased at a single price of €15 on the website www.auditoriodetenerife.com, at the auditorium's box office or by dialling the phone number 902 317 327 from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check the special discounts for the audience under 30 years of age, students, unemployed and large families.