Press

Spectrum News (April, 2022): "Christ Cathedral to rededicate the Hazel Wright Organ"
"Easter has come and gone, but Ball can be found at the Hazel working on a music piece specifically composed to be played on the organ by Daniel Ficarri, an associate organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, in New York City. 'He wrote it to feature the fan fair trumpets that we have in all four corners of Christ Cathedral,' said Ball. While a date has yet to be determined, Christ Cathedral is planning a rededication of the Hazel in the coming months. One of the music pieces specifically written on the restored Hazel is Daniel Ficarri’s 'Fanfare Introduction in D.'"
Broadway World (February, 2022): "Organist Daniel Ficarri and Violinist Stella Chen to Perform at Cathedral of St. John the Divine"
"Daniel Ficarri's March 1 concert will illustrate not only his mastery of the instrument, but also his skill as a seasoned composer, with the world premiere of his own Gothic Hymn for organ and violin, a musical reflection on the architectural and acoustical features of the Cathedral. The program will also include works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Léon Boëllmann, Olivier Messiaen, and Arvo Pärt."
The Diapason (October, 2021): "Daniel Ficarri to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine"
"Daniel Ficarri is appointed associate organist for the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, New York, replacing Raymond Nagem. Ficarri earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, New York City, where he studied with Paul Jacobs. Previously, Ficarri served as organist at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City, and as organ scholar at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, New York..."
Covering Religion (August, 2021): "An organist for the king"
"...Ficarri, 25, has been an organist since he was a boy. While other kids his age were playing ball in middle school, he was already playing music at funerals and weddings. He quickly learned to accompany the happiest and saddest moments of people’s lives. 'Playing music at church is different from making music in a concert hall or outside in an amphitheater,' he said. 'There’s a certain solemnity and spiritual quality to it.' Ficarri is quick to acknowledge that his profession can sometimes be seen as obscure. He’s had to defend it, even from classical musicians who think that pipe organs are nothing more than old instruments to play slow hymns in half-empty churches. Ficarri knows better. Organ music is alive and thriving. Later this month, he will become the next Associate Organist at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the seat of New York’s Episcopal church in Morningside Heights..."
Music from the Tower (May, 2020): "Episode No. 80 | Marian Music for the Month of May"
"...A recent graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, Daniel Ficarri speaks from the heart of a composer about the inspiring nature of Marian texts, and shares with us his own Ave Maria – a radio premiere and exclusive to Music from the Tower! Featured alongside Ficarri’s stunning new Ave Maria are classics including the Schubert, Bach-Gounod, and Biebl settings; and some lesser-known, yet equally gorgeous settings by living composers Anna Jacobs, Cecilia McDowall, James Biery, and John Rutter."
Musical America (January, 2020): "Marin Alsop Conducts the Juilliard Orchestra in Works by Barber, Brahms, and Shostakovich on January 25th"
"Alumna Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, conducts the Juilliard Orchestra in a program featuring Barber’s Toccata Festiva with organist Daniel Ficarri, Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 126, with cellist Daniel Hass, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op 73, on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 7:30pm in Alice Tully Hall..."
The Abington Journal (September, 2019): "Acclaimed organist and composer returns to University of Scranton"
"Acclaimed organist and composer Daniel Ficarri will be the featured performer as Performance Music at The University of Scranton kicks off its fall concert season Friday, Sept. 6. The recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. inside the university’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. Ficarri is returning to the university for the second time, having made his Performance Music debut in the fall 2017. He will perform on the Houlihan-McLean Center’s completely restored Austin Opus 301 symphonic organ, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. 'The programs Dan brings us are always interestingly crafted, excitingly varied, and virtuosically performed,' says Boga. 'I’m a fan.' A native of Pittsburgh, Ficarri is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he is now pursuing his master’s degree under the tutelage of Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs..."
The Diapason (March, 2019): "Announcing The Diapason's 20 Under 30 Class of 2019!"
"The Diapason recognizes young talents in the fields of organ and harpsichord performance, organ and harpsichord building, carillon, and church music. Twenty persons under the age of 30 are selected for each year's class..."
Music from the Tower (July, 2018): "Episode No. 42 | Saturday, July 21, 2018 | Daniel Ficarri, Organist, Composer"
"Daniel is another of the many success stories of the great Juilliard teacher, Dr. Paul Jacobs.  However, unlike the incredible organists who have filled America’s greatest churches and have come from this great institution and this amazing teacher, Daniel is not just another super-star organist.  Daniel is an already famed composer;  a commissioned composer at that!  You will hear from this spectacular young musician, as he talks about his latest commission, this time, a piece for the dedication of the new Dobson pipe organ at the famed St. Thomas Church in New York.  This piece was commissioned by the British music journal, Choir and Organ, for this very special occasion. Daniel was featured in the latest issue of this magazine with a great article and even the possibility of downloading his latest piece.  On the radio, he is joined by our very own organist and Juilliard graduate, David L. Ball.  It is David who actually commissioned Daniel to write two other organ pieces. Enjoy these two wonderful young organists as they talk about commissioning music, composing it and performing it..."
Choir & Organ (July, 2018): "Daniel Ficarri's Exultation for solo organ"
"...Throughout our interview, it is evident that Daniel Ficarri is a young organist/composer on a mission as he discusses the place of the organist today and bringing organ music within the reach of larger audiences: 'I believe that growing the organ's audience begins with education. Even within the classical music world I regularly encounter conductors, composers, and musicians of all kinds who are unaware of the organ's capabilities and have never been exposed to the instrument's repertoire. As organists, we are fortunate to be caretakers of an immense wealth of great repertoire. We simply have to make the effort to educate and introduce others to the timeless music we have inherited...'"
Broadway World (April, 2018): "Juilliard Organists Give A Free Recital At The Cathedral Of St. John The Divine"
"Juilliard organists, under the direction of Organ Department Chair Paul Jacobs, give a free recital at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, NYC) on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 7:30pm. Juilliard organists Yuejian Chen, Daniel Ficarri, Ryan Kennedy, Colin MacKnight, Jeremiah Mead, Levente Medveczky, Alexander Pattavina, and Phoon Yu will be performing works on the cathedral's Great Organ..."
Royal News (October, 2017): "Organist Daniel Ficarri to Perform Oct. 22"
"Organist and composer Daniel Ficarri will be the featured performer at the next Performance Music at The University of Scranton event, an organ recital, on Sunday, Oct. 22. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. inside the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. At the recital, Ficarri will be performing on the center’s completely restored Austin Opus 301 Symphonic Organ, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga..."
Eugene Weekly (July, 2017): "Bach for the 21st Century"
"...Beall Hall’s pipe organ was played athletically and impressively by Daniel Ficarri. Something we get wrong, Halls points out, is that Bach’s audiences were greeted by music from the instant they entered their church..."
New York Times (April, 2017): "This Week's 8 Best Classical Music Moments"
"In a video on the New York Times Facebook page, the excellent organist Paul Jacobs issues an invitation for viewers to visit his class at the Juilliard School. I did so on Thursday, and it was a heartening experience to see seven young players display their immense talents. It was also a welcome chance to experience new sounds and techniques from the fine Holtkamp instrument in Paul Hall. The most startling came from — who else? — John Cage, in his “Souvenir,” when the player, Daniel Ficarri, repeatedly reached to the bottom of the pedalboard with his left foot to sound a tone cluster in the organ’s deepest register that was mostly sheer vibration, devoid of recognizable pitch."
Voce di Meche (June, 2016): "Sorrow for the Suor"
"...Maestro Benjamin Grow did an admirable job of conducting the superb Chelsea Opera Chamber Orchestra in three short pieces, with the most interesting (to us lovers of vocal music) the "Salve Regina" beautifully sung by soprano Samantha Kantak, accompanied by Daniel Ficarri on the organ--a very special treat. There will be one more performance tonight and we urge you to "get to the church on time" because last night there was standing room only."
Riverhead Local (April, 2016): "Fifth annual Douglas Moore organ concert, May 14"
"The fifth annual Douglas Moore Organ Concert will be held on Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m. at the Cutchogue Presbyterian Church. This year’s concert features up­-and-­coming Juilliard School students Patrick Kreeger and Daniel Ficarri..."
Hartford Courant (September, 2015): "Scarsdale Organist to be Featured at Annual Hampton Concert"
"Daniel Ficarri is a young, rising musician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania studying at The Juilliard School with Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs. An engaging performer, Ficarri has appeared on WQXR, New York City's classical music radio station, as part of an 18-hour marathon of the complete organ works of J.S. Bach. In addition, Ficarri was invited last year to present a recital of improvisations for Lincoln Square's 15th Annual Winter's Eve Festival..."
New York Times (April, 2015): "Juilliard Organists"
"Juilliard presents this organ recital as part of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine’s Great Music in a Great Space series. The students, under the direction of the organ department’s chairman, Paul Jacobs, will perform works such as the “Andante espressivo” from Elgar’s Sonata in G, Op. 28, and a transcription of selections from Grieg’s “Holberg Suite,” Op. 40. At 7:30 p.m., Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, at 112th Street, Morningside Heights, 212-799-5000, events.juilliard.edu; free."
New York Times (November, 2014): "A Bach Organ Marathon Set for St. Peter's in Manhattan"
"The organist Paul Jacobs once played all of Bach’s organ works – more than 200 pieces – in an 18-hour marathon. That was 14 years ago, in Pittsburgh, and no, enough time has not elapsed that Mr. Jacobs is ready to do it again. But when he began discussing a Bach marathon with WQXR, as part of the station’s monthlong“Bachstock: 30 Days of Peace and Music,” he came up with an alternative plan: he would play some works himself, and would invite 19 of his current and former students to play the rest..."