Torvald Torén (1945-2001) studerade vid Kungliga Musikhögskolan i Stockholm för Stina Sundell, piano och Gotthard Arnér, orgel och erhöll solistdiplom i både piano och orgel. Därefter bedrev han studier utomlands för bl. a. Maurice Duruflé, Jean Langlais och Flor Peeters. Torvald Torén var organist i Hedvig Eleonora kyrka i Stockholm från 1966 (ordinarie 1972) och orgellärare vid Kungl. Musikhögskolan (professor 1994) fram till sin död 2001.
Torvald Torén bedrev en omfattande konsertverksamhet i Europa, med tyngdpunkt på Frankrike, där han inbjöds att konsertera i de flesta av landets främsta kyrkor. Han var också efterfrågad som föreläsare och jurymedlem. Torvald Toréns repertoar var mycket omfattande. Han ägnade den romantiska och nyare franska orgellitteraturen särskild uppmärksamhet och vann stor internationell ryktbarhet för sina tolkningar av denna. Torvald Torén invaldes i Kungl. Musikaliska Akademien 1993.
Torvald Torén gjorde åtskilliga radioinspelningar samt ett tjugotal skivinspelningar. Hans skivinspelningar innefattar bl. a. Bachs triosonater, Francks samtliga orgelverk, Duruflés samtliga orgelverk och Viernes samtliga orgelsymfonier. För sina skivinspelningar erhöll Torvald Torén Svenska grammofonpriset 1982 och 1984.
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Torvald Torén (1945-2001) was one of Sweden’s most prominent organists of his time. With brilliant technique and skillful interpretation he stood out as a model for an entire generation of young organists. In his concerts he devoted himself mainly to the French romantic-symphonic repertoire, and was considered worldwide to be one of the foremost authorities of this tradition. He gave recitals internationally in the most prestigious venues, and made a reputation for himself as a virtuoso organist of outstanding international caliber. He was also a sought-after lecturer and a jury panel member of several international organ competitions.
Torvald Torén studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm where his teachers included Stina Sundell (piano) and Gotthard Arnér (organ). He received his degree in church music and obtained post-graduate diplomas in both piano and organ. He continued his organ studies with Maurice Duruflé, Jean Langlais and Flor Peeters.
From 1966 until the time of his death in 2001, Torvald Torén served as organist at the Hedvig Eleonora Church in Stockholm, and succeeded in placing this church on the map as an important organ church. In 1983 Torvald Torén was engaged as organ professor at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and served from 1994-1997 as head of the organ department. Torvald Torén was elected as a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Music in 1993.
He made numerous radio broadcasting recordings and also performed on national television. His art has been documented in recordings of Vierne’s complete symphonies, Franck’s and Duruflé’s organ works, and works of Tournemire, Dupré and Jongen. He also recorded Swedish music and Bach’s six Trio Sonatas. He received the Swedish gramophone prize in 1982 and 1984.