New York, NY Christopher Houlihan is a young, hip organist - and that phrase is not an oxymoron. Cincinnati Enquirer calls Houlihan an"Organ phenom," according to The Republican, "....the audience should be prepared to be mesmerized" and the Birmingham News calls Houlihan's performance "astonishing."

Houlihan is embarking on an historic journey in honor of the 75th anniversary of the death of the great composer and organist, Louis Vierne (pronounced loo-EE vee-EHRN). Vierne died at age 66 while in performance at the organ at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris on June 2, 1937.

VIERNE 2012 takes Houlihan through six cities and the six organ symphonies by Louis Vierne. Houlihan begins his tour at the Church of the Ascension in New York City on June 2, which is the date of the 75th anniversary of Louis Vierne's death. He'll then visit Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal and Dallas in performance dates throughout the summer. In each city, Houlihan will perform all six of Vierne's organ symphonies. Bios and tour details are at the end of this press release.

The organ symphony is a unique musical form for solo pipe organ. This multi-movement work makes full use of the orchestral sounds of the modern organ, and the six by Vierne represent the summit of the art form. Vierne's music is already well known to organ aficionados, and Houlihan aims to bring these towering concert works to a wider audience.

"Some people think organ music is only spooky or churchy," says Houlihan. "But when they hear Vierne's symphonies, they realize how colorful, fun and exciting this music is. It can take the listener on an incredible emotional journey."

Houlihan's recording of Vierne's Second Symphony is on Towerhill Records (TH-72018) and is available in stores and on-line.

More information about VIERNE 2012 is at www.vierne2012.com. You can learn more about Christopher Houlihan and his supporters, the Houli Fans at www.christopherhoulihan.com.

BIOS

Louis Vierne (October 8, 1870-June 2,1937), mostly blind since birth, was a French organist and composer. For the last half of his life, he held one of the most prestigious organ posts in the world: principal organist at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The story of his death is as dramatic as the music he composed: In the midst of performing his 1750th concert, he suffered a fatal heart attack. At that moment, a sustained low E emanated from the organ, the pedal struck by Vierne's foot as he drew his last breath; Vierne's final note.

The young American musician Christopher Houlihan is widely acknowledged as one of the brightest stars in the new generation of American organists. Houlihan's busy recital schedule sends him all over North America as well as to Europe, where he has performed on the very instrument that Louis Vierne lived and died at. Houlihan studied with Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs at Juilliard and with John Rose at Trinity College. During a year abroad, he studied with Jean-Baptiste Robin at the conservatory in Versailles, France and performed for the then President and First Lady of the United States, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush at the American Cathedral in Paris. More information about Christopher Houlihan, and his supporters, the "Houli Fans" is at www.christopherhoulihan.com.

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VIERNE 2012 Tour Details
Christopher Houlihan, Organist

June 2, New York, NY: Church of the Ascension

June 15 and 16, Denver, CO: St. John's Episcopal Cathedral

July 6 and 7, Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

July 19 and 20, Los Angeles, CA: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

August 3 and 4, Montreal, Canada: L'église du Gesù

August 18, Dallas, TX: Church of the Incarnation

VIERNE2012.COM