The illustrious French organ tradition is celebrated in this album of toccatas and meditations, including masterpieces drawn from across the repertoire. Charles-Marie Widor was the founding father of the French Organ School, and his Toccata from Symphony no.5 is a cornerstone of the repertoire. The Méditation by his contemporary Louis Vierne is among the highlights of Romantic organ works. Duruflé, Boëllmann and Guilmant are also represented, as is a beautiful Ravel arrangement. They’re played on the magnificent Grenzing organ at Bauernkirche Iserlohn by Dariia Lytvishko – a Ukrainian-born virtuoso and one of the most lavishly gifted organists of her generation.

This debut Naxos album marks the first recording by organist Dariia Lytvishko. Now 30 years old, Lytvishko is an internationally acclaimed artist, celebrated for her dynamic performances at major organ festivals and in prestigious venues across Europe. Her concert appearances include Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Temple protestant de l’Oratoire du Louvre in Paris, and the Pantheon in Rome, among others. She has toured extensively in France, England, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Spain, as well as North America.

Originally from Ukraine, Lytvishko has resided in Germany since 2014. In response to the war in her homeland, she has dedicated herself to humanitarian efforts, performing in over 40 benefit concerts and raising nearly €70,000 for aid organisations.

Dariia Lytvishko was born in Lutsk in western Ukraine in 1995. She received her first piano and organ lessons there. She completed her professional training at the Volyn State College of Culture and Arts in Lutsk. She then studied church music at the University of Church Music Herford-Witten, where she received her bachelor’s degree in 2019 and her master’s degree in 2022.