"Robin's signature is evocative, poetic and imaginistic, certainly, and his alert rhythmic armoury full of variety, his expressive harmonies imaginative and discretely compelling, the whole underpinned by satisfying structural complexity...concentrated, muscular and involving effect." (Choir & Organ, London, on Naxos CD of Robin performing Robin)
"A talented young fellow with
exceptional keyboard technique and a virtuosic delivery." (Michael Barone, Pipedreams )
"Mr Robin, a protégé of the great French organist/scholar Marie-Claire Alain , plays stylishly and well." (Scott Cantrell, The Dallas Morning News)
Jean-Baptiste Robin performed one of the most beautiful recitalsin the history of the Haarlem Organ Festival at St. Bavo-his is a name never to forget."
(Haarlem Magazine, Holland)
"He is the dignified successor to Marie-Claire Alain and André Isoir." (Le Monde la Musique, France)
"Perfect clarity and virtuosity. The Bach chorals were a highly emotional moment, with notes like tears and the soul of the audience totally at peace. This concert was synonymous with perfection." (Le Figaro, Paris)
"Jean-Baptiste Robin champions the cause of Marchand's organ music with a stylish sense of ease and maturity. His is a great talent."(Diapason, France)
"Regard vers l'Aïr is a sumptuous fresco-mysterious and virtuosic. The organist and composer Jean-Baptiste Robin was fascinating in his piece, showing incredible technique and musical intensity."
(La Nouvelle République, France)
"Jean-Baptiste Robin is the new Marcel Dupré,with his miraculous technique and the post-symphonic style of his compositions."(Le Journal d'Alsace, France)
"One cannot but help admiring the wonderfully sensitive interpretation. This recording is astonishing in every possible way." (Classica, France)
"Jean-Baptiste is the ideal interpreter of this music. His recording may be considered definitive."
(Répertoire, France)
"Definitive and excellent performances."
(Fanfare on Naxos CD of Robin performing Robin)
“Assurance and remarkable virtuosity.” (The Diapason, 2011)
“His technique is flawless and spell-binding. He has much to say and a very refreshing way of saying it.” (AAM Journal)
“A brilliant performer and a composer of significant, substantial music….formidable virtuosity and creative musicianship.” (The American Organist)
Jean-Baptiste Robin
concert organist
Parisian organist-composer Jean-Baptiste Robin has been the Titular Organist of Poitiers Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint-Pierre) and its famous Clicquot instrument since the age of 23 following a rigorous competition for the post. Additionally, he is Professor of Organ at the Conservatoire National de Région de Versailles, and he is Organist of the Royal Chapel of Versailles Palace.
He has appeared throughout Europe, Japan, North Africa, and the United States, at notable venues such as the Royal Festival Hall in London, Notre-Dame de Paris, Musashino in Tokyo, and at international festivals such as Toulouse-les-orgues, Saint-Bertrand de Comminges , Freiberg, Coblenz, Haarlem, Monaco, and Granada.
He has served on the faculties of organ academies in Haarlem, Tübingen , Rottenburg, Haarlem, Sapporo, Texas, and Ohio. He has given master classes for the American Guild of Organists, at the International Summer Academy in Haarlem (Holland), the Sapporo Organ Academy, the Hochschule of Tübingen and Rottenburg, the Conservatory of Music of Cincinnati, and each year at the Academy in la Chaise-Dieu and the Poitiers Summer Academy.
Jean-Baptiste Robin has composed more than 15 works ranging from solo pieces (for piano or organ) to music for full symphony orchestra (performed by the Orchestre National de Lyon and the Philharmonia Orchestra of London). He was awarded prizes in composition from the Institut des Beaux-Arts and the Fondation Lagarère and has won the Prix François de Roubaix, the Grand Prix de la ville de Bordeaux, and the international competition in Nice. In 2007-2008 he composed works for organ commissioned by Lawrence University in Kansas, the Fondation Marcelle de Lacour, and the Merklin Organ Association. He will record his organ music on the Saint-Eustache organ in October 2008 for Naxos.
His first commercial recording, featuring the organ music of Louis Marchand, was cited with the highest distinctions by several music publications, including Diapason, Le Monde de la Musique, and Classica magazine. This recording obtained the "Coup de Coeur" from the Charles Cros Academy and the coveted Diapason d'Or of the year. Jean-Baptiste Robin has also recorded the complete organ music of Felix Mendelssohn (Triton) and François Couperin (Naxos).
Jean-Baptiste Robin studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur in Paris where he was awarded seven First Prizes for organ, figured bass, counterpoint, 16th-century polyphony, and 20th-century harmony and orchestration. Additional studies in organ were with Marie-Claire Alain (with whom he studied the complete organ music of Jehan Alain), Olivier Latry, Michel Bouvard, and Louis Robilliard. Additional studies in composition were with George Benjamin at King's College, London, and with Marc-André Dalbavie.
In 2010 two new releases will appear: the Organ works by Jean-Baptiste Robin on two great Parisian organs (label Naxos, new release in february 2010), and a complete recording of Jehan Alain's music (label Brillant Classics). He will have a first premiere by Pierre Boulez who will conduct l'Ensemble Intercomtenporain in Salle Pleyel/Paris (commissioned by Ensemble Intercontemporain).