Jubilee Organ Recital from St. Mary's Cathedral: Ricardo Ramirez

Описание: A Series of Organ Recitals Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Cathedral, with Ricardo Ramirez (Prerecorded due to Covid travel restrictions)
August 16, 2020

Scherzo, op. 2 - Maurice Duruflé

Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 - Johann Sebastian Bach

¡VIVA, VIVA JESÚS, MI AMOR! - arr. H. Ricardo Ramirez

Improvisation on a submitted theme

Prelude & Fugue sur le nom d'Alain, op. 7 - Maurice Duruflé


H. Ricardo Ramirez is former Director of Music/Organist for the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Chicago, Illinois, where he directed four choral ensembles and performed on the cathedral’s three mechanical-action instruments, including the West Gallery’s 117-rank organ built by Flentrop Orgelbouw. Born in Eagle Pass, Texas, Dr. Ramirez attended the University of Notre Dame, earning two undergraduate degrees simultaneously: B.S. in electrical engineering, and, B.S. in performance. He later received a Master of Music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. His teachers included Daniel H. Pedkte, Susan Seid Martin, Robert Anderson, and David Craighead (organ).

Dr. Ramirez has performed the entire organ works of Maurice Duruflé as well as the six symphonies of Louis Vierne.

A prolific composer, he has composed sacred works for chorus and organ as well as instrumental music. His oratorio, Huei tlamahuicoltica - The Great Event, was premiered on the Feast of the Virgin Guadalupe December 12, 2008. Based on the Codex Escalada, the oratorio relates the story of the apparition of the Virgin Mary (Lady of Guadalupe) to Juan Diego in 1531. The choruses, arias, and recitatives combine folkloric elements with modern styles and are in the languages of English, Spanish, and Nahautl.

Prior to his position at the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Dr. Ramirez was Director of Music Ministries at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Rochester, New York, where he spearheaded the committee that selected Paul Fritts Organ Company for the installation of the new cathedral organ (opus 26 - 2008, 3m/53 s/79 r mechanical action).

While in Rochester, he continued extensive studies in choreography and theater with Garth Fagan (The Lion King) and Elizabeth Clark, as well as further studies in aboriginal dance with Bill Crause (Iroquois song leader). Dr. Ramirez created the choreography for the opera Killbear Comes Home by composer Paul Stuart, which was hailed as “a charming, visceral combination of Native American and Modern Dance” (Democrat and Chronicle).

Dr. Ramirez is a past Dean of the Chicago Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.