Weymouth Lunchtime Chamber Concerts

Marc Fitze is organist at the Heiliggeistkirche in Bern, Switzerland and this was his first recital in the UK. He has performed throughout Europe and in Mexico, USA and Japan and is planning a concert tour in the UK next year.

Marc introduced us to works by Swiss and French composers. Carl Hess-Ruetschi was an organist in Bern in the second half of the 19th century and his Sonate in E Minor explored the full tonal range of the organ.

This was followed by Scène Champêtre et Orage which featured the most realistic thunderstorm.

The thunder was preceded by all the elements of a pastoral scene – alpine horns, country dancing, cowbells and after the storm there was a hymn of thanksgiving for the rain.

Two short pieces by Jehan Alain – Le jardin suspendu was impressionistic and almost ghostlike suggesting cobwebs blown on the wind and Litanies which contrasted well with its feeling of strength and certainty.

The final piece was Marc’s own arrangement of Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals. This was a rousing and fitting finale to the recital. He fully exploited every tonal quality of the instrument and exhibited amazing technical prowess and wonderful musicianship.

The next lunchtime concert will be on Wednesday April 7 at 1pm at St. Mary’s Church, Weymouth, and features some violin and piano works by Hubert Parry.

SANDY NANKIVELL