Biography

The life and career of the Maestro

Moshe Ariel Ganelin is an organist, composer, improviser, and pianist, renowned for his remarkable artistic versatility.

Moshe Ariel Ganelin is a prolific composer. At his early 30s he is already the author of 7 organ symphonies, Concerto for organ and symphonic orchestra, Suite for organ and wind orchestra, Piano concerto, The Divine Liturgy for choir a capella, numerous works for organ, piano, voice, as well as chamber music. His music is performed and published worldwide.

Moshe Ariel Ganelin is virtuoso organist and improviser. His repertoire, along with classics by Bach, Widor and Messiaen, includes the most technically demanding works, including his own compositions, and music by Dupré, Duruflé, Tournemire, Vierne, A. Schoenberg, Reger, Karg-Elert, etc. The pinnacle of Ganelin's virtuosity is his transcriptions of orchestral and piano music for organ, most notably, Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy, Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony and Swan Lake, Chopin's piano etudes, and much more. As an improviser, he is capable of constructing entire symphony or complex polyphonic structures live on stage. Ganelin is particularly renowned for active revival of the silent movies live organ improvisations.

Moshe Ariel Ganelin is also a virtuoso pianist, harpsichord player, conductor and guitarist. Not only is he versatile in the field of music, he is also a vivid poet. Ganelin is the author of more than 900 poems in 4 different languages. For all his accomplishments as composer, organist, pianist, conductor, poet, Ganelin has been frequently recognized with prizes at international competitions.

Moshe Ariel Ganelin at the organ console
"Without freedom, there is no creation"

Moshe Ariel Ganelin

Milestones

  • The Paganini of organ

    Moshe Ariel Ganelin performs around the globe, both on stage and in cathedrals. Amongst the most notable venues are Jakobikirche Lübeck, Nikolaikirche Leipzig, Moscow State Conservatory Grand Hall, Saint Petersburg Conservatory Glazunov Hall, Zaryadye Concert Hall in Moscow, Caruth Auditorium at SMU in Dallas TX, Kaliningrad (Königsberg) Cathedral, Basílica Santísimo Sacramento and Iglesia Santo Domingo in Buenos Aires, and many others. He presents solo concert programs, his own music, and participates in international festivals. Among the most prominent and original programs are "The Magic of Keyboard" with Ganelin performing organ, piano and harpsichord, "The Symphonic ecstasy" with transcriptions of Scriabin, Mosolov and Rimsky-Korsakov to organ, "Paganini of Organ" with etudes by Chopin and Alkan for organ, "From Bach to Linkin Park", improvisations to silent movies "The Phantom of the Opera", "Aelita", and more.

  • The winner

    Moshe Ariel Ganelin is the winner of one of the most prestigious international organ competitions, XI Tariverdiev Organ Competition (2019), where he also was awarded with special prizes from Jakobikirche Lübeck, Michaeliskirche Hamburg (Germany), Roermond International Festival (Netherlands) and Riga Dom (Latvia). He received "Organist of the year 2021" (special prize for creating cultural bridges) from "Musical Life Magazine" (Moscow), became winner of composers competition at II International Braudo competition (Saint Petersburg, 2014), laureate of the 24th edition of Chopin Roma Piano Competition (Italy), and more.

  • The creator

    Moshe Ariel Ganelin is the author of various works for organ, orchestra, piano, choir, chamber music. He experiments with different cultures including Jewish, Arabic, Celtic, Maori, Indian, Polish, and more. He is the first composer to ever create works for domra alto and organ. Ganelin performs his own compositions and works with recognized artists. Among the performers of his music are organists Martin Schmeding (Germany), Lada Labzina, Alexander Novosyolov (Russia), Jihoon Song (South Korea), such orchestras as Kremlin State Symphonic Orchestra, Kremlin State Wind orchestra (both Moscow), Karelian State Philharmonics (Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk). Ganelin's oevres are published by Wayne Leupold Foundation (USA).

  • The tradition

    Moshe Ariel Ganelin received the elite musical education from the best professors at the best institutions worldwide. He graduated cum laude and holds Artist Diploma from Southern Methodist University (Dallas TX, USA) where he studied with professors Stefan Engels, Christophe Mantoux (organ interpretation) and George Baker (organ improvisation), and equally cum laude from Saint Petersburg State Conservatory where he studied with professor Daniel Zaretsky (organ interpretation). Through years Ganelin also participated in various master-classes of such musicians as Hans-Ola Ericsson, Louis Robilliard, Ton Koopman, Leo van Doeselaar, Hans Davidsson, Thomas Lennartz, Martin Jean, Ken Cowan, and more. His composition pedagogical lineage, through his professor Tatiana Ganelina rises up to Rimsky-Korsakov.

Chronology

  • 2017-2019Ganelin serves as organist at the Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Dallas, United States.Dallas TX
  • 2019Ganelin is inducted into the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society for GPA 4.0 and academic excellency.Dallas TX
  • 2019, MayGraduation cum laude with Artist's Diploma in Organ Performance from Southern Methodist University, in the studio of Professor Stefan Engels (organ), Christophe Mantoux (organ), George Baker (improvisation)Dallas TX
  • 2019, SeptemberFirst Prize and victory at the XI International Mikael Tariverdiev organ competition. At the same competition Ganelin wins special prizes from Jakobikirche (Lübeck, Germany), Michaeliskirche (Hamburg, Germany), Roermond Organ Festival (Netherlands), Riga Dom (Latvia).Kaliningrad (Königsberg)
  • 2021, SeptemberGanelin is awarded IInd prize at the "New Classics - Organ Taurida" international composers competition for his "Hasidim are travelling to the Rebe" from the Jewish suite for organ. Chairman of the jury - Juan de la Rubia (Barcelona).Moscow
  • 2021, NovemberMoshe Ariel Ganelin is awarded with special prize at the 2021 edition of the "Organist of the year" established by Musical Life Magazine (Moscow). The prize "For creating cultural bridges" was given to Ganelin specifically for his "Hasidim are travelling to the Rebbe" and "Festival in Lubavitchi" from his Jewish suite for organ.Moscow
  • 2021-2022Publishing of Ganelin's organ works by Wayne Leupold Foundation (USA)Greensboro NC
  • 2023-2024Moshe Ariel Ganelin is the founder and artistic director of the festival of organ music "REGERUS MAXIMUS 150" dedicated to the anniversary of Max Reger. The festival took place at the Nizhny Novgorod Lutheran Church throughout the time span of the entire concert season. Amongst the participants, along with the Maestro, were organists Timur Khaliullin, Alexander Novosyolov, Maria Rudneva, Arseniy Ushkov, Tatiana BochkovaNizhny Novgorod
  • 2025, March 2ndPremiere performance of Ganelin's Concerto for organ and grand symphonic orchestra "The Celtic Lovesong". Zaryadye Concert Hall, Kremlin State Symphonic Orchestra under Konstantin Chudovsky, solo organ - Alexander NovosyolovMoscow
  • 2025, AprilPremiere performance of Ganelin's suite for organ and wind orchestra "On the meadows of Ireland". Svetlanov Hall of the Moscow International House of Music. State Wind Orchestra under maestro Igor Shevernyov, organ solo - Moshe Ariel GanelinMoscow
  • 2025, DecemberSeries of solo recital across cathedrals and churches of Buenos Aires, including Basílica Santísimo Sacramento, Catedral Anglicana San Juan Bautista, Iglesia Luterana Alemana EsmeraldaBuenos Aires, Argentina
  • 2026, MayGanelin is appointed as the principal organist at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Buenos Aires.Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • 2026, AugustMoshe Ariel Ganelin performed at on of the oldest churches of Buenos Aires, Saint Andrew Scottish Presbyterian Church at the historic "Forster&Andrews" English Romantic organ. This was the first official concert event at the parish after 30 years.Buenos Aires, Argentina