Hector Olivera

I don't think I can find the right word or enough superlatives to describe this man. Prodigy? Musical genius? Amazing? Seems inadequate to describe a man that's truly God's gift to the music world.





I had the privilege to attend a workshop conducted by Mr Hector Olivera at the Roland Training Center this afternoon and came away with the utmost respect for him. Even after many decades of performing to tens of thousands of organ and keyboard fans and enthusiasts, he is still as passionate about his concerts as day one. This man is not slowing down even a wee bit. Hector, who was a special guest on NTV7's Breakfast Show this morning, said that he especially loves to perform to children.

During the workshop, Hector took us on a journey and explored the Roland Atelier organ. We learnt so much from him and discovered so many new features of the organ. His pure, unadulterated technique, style & arrangements make him one of the very few organists who takes every concert to a level that only a genius like him can. He makes the organ sound good, not the other way around. Listening to his orchestral arrangements played on the organ is like listening to a live orchestra! I was truly blown away!!!

Yet, this man, who likes to use analogies and with lots of humour thrown in for good measure, is unassuming, down-to-earth and "pooh poohs" the standing ovations that has become part and parcel of his concerts. We talked like we are old buddies.

So, I'm soooo looking forward to the concert tomorrow (Sat). Actually, I can hardly wait for it... really. If Roland promises to bring him here again next year, I'm going to book my ticket now :-).

"The World's Greatest Organist" - live in KL

November 1st is going to be a very special day in the history of live organ concerts in KL. Never before have we had an organist of this class perform in Malaysia. One who is called nothing less than "The World's Greatest Organist"!

What a privilege it is to have an internationally-acclaimed organist coming here to entertain us. And that person I'm raving about here is none other than Hector Olivera.




"Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hector Olivera's first musical studies began with his father. He started (aged three) playing the pipe organ, was appointed organist for the Church of the Immaculate Conception two years later and, at six, entered the Buenos Aires Conservatory to study harmony, counterpoint and fugue. It was here that he began to develop the art of improvisation and, by the age of nine, had composed a suite for oboe and string orchestra t hat was performed by the Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra.

He entered the University of Buenos Aires at age 12. By 18, he had performed over 300 concerts throughout Latin America and had appeared frequently on national radio and television. During this time, he also served for three years as the senior improvisational accompanist for the Collegium Musicum in Buenos Aires, a role credited as being a major building block in his noted improvisational abilities.

In 1965, he was offered a scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York and moved to the United States. Three years later he won the National Improvisation Contest sponsored by the American Guild of Organists and began a concert career that spans decades."

... read more here..

So, finally, the man himself is really coming to KL. Certainly a concert not to be missed because we don't know when he'll be able to perform here again. Just checked Hector's concert schedule on his website and he's already booked through October 2009!

Thanks to Roland Asia Pacific again for bringing us another great concert performer. And I could not believe that tickets are going for only RM50!! For a Hector Olivera concert? Must have been heavily subsidised by Roland.

So, if you don't want to miss this wonderful opportunity to watch a great performer play on Roland's latest organ, the Atelier AT900C, keep Saturday Nov. 1st free and make a beeline for KLCC Convention Center.

For concert details, click the picture below.



Tickets may be purchased directly from me. Better hurry, as this concert is going to be a hot-seller!

Here's a couple of "appetizers"...