Titular organist of the choir organ
Axel de Marnhac stands out as one of the most promising personalities of the new generation of French organists.
His career, combining musical excellence and a sense of sound colours, intellectual curiosity and in-depth knowledge of musical, instrumental and historical heritage, has already led him to the heart of the largest church in Paris: In 2024, he was appointed by competition for the position of organist titular organist of the choir organ of the church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris.
Trained at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where he studied with Olivier Latry, Michel Bouvard and Thomas Ospital, he obtained a Master’s degree in organ-performance with the unanimous mention Très bien, as well as a Master’s degree in basso continuo, also distinguished by the mention Très bien.
At the same time, he holds a Master’s degree in History from Sorbonne University, a dual training that nourishes his view of works and instruments.
He then continued his training at the École Normale de Musique de Paris as part of the Artist Diploma also obtained with honors, with Vincent Warnier as Teacher. He was selected for the Elite Program of the same school, a program of excellence that accompanies young musicians of the highest level in their artistic career.
Initially a student of François Clément at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Clermont-Ferrand, he obtained his DEM in June 2018. His first teacher played a decisive role in his musical vocation, giving him a very rich teaching, at the origin of his appetite for French classical music, liturgical practice and interest in the instrumental heritage of his region.
A guest concert performer in France and abroad, Axel de Marnhac is particularly fond of the dialogue between works and the instruments that give rise to them. His repertoire ranges from the Middle Ages to contemporary creation, with a predilection for the great French schools, improvisation and historical practices.
His interest in organ building, temperaments and organology enriches a musical approach where each instrument is considered as a personality in its own right. His skills in registrations led him to join the team of registration assistants of the Great Organ of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2025. Alongside the greatest international concert artists, he participates in the preparation of concerts and puts his expertise at the service of an emblematic instrument of French musical heritage.
A noted improviser, he won the first prize in the international improvisation competition of the Trinity Church in Cologne (Germany) in September 2026, and is also a finalist in the improvisation competitions of Étretat in 2017 and Saint Albans (United Kingdom) in 2025. He is also a composer. His works, inspired by the great French traditions, testify to a strong taste for sound architecture, colour and symphonic breath.