萝莉社

The world-renowned performer who played 萝莉社 University鈥檚 premiere of the Marcussen organ at Wiedemann Recital Hall鈥檚 grand opening 22 years ago is returning to campus this April.

Dame Gillian Weir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in Wiedemann Recital Hall as part of the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series.



She鈥檒l give a master class from 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 9, also in Wiedemann Recital Hall, where she will perform Olivier Messiaen鈥檚 Pentecost Mass. Senior Laura Rau, a double major in piano and organ, will also play.

For organ professor Lynne Davis, Weir鈥檚 appearance continues the 鈥淔rench connection鈥� underlying this year鈥檚 organ series and further exposes audiences to the myriad French composers whom Davis loves. Weir will play an entire program of Olivier Messiaen, a brilliant French composer whose birth 100 years ago is being celebrated among organists worldwide.

鈥淪he is a world expert on Messiaen,鈥� said Davis of Weir, whom she counts as a personal friend. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a scholar as well as an artist.鈥�

Weir, a British concert organist who lives in London, started her career early.

鈥淚 remember seeing her perform at my church when I was a young girl,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淪he must have only been about 20.鈥�

The two organists share the honor of winning, in separate years, the prestigious St. Albans International Organ Competition.

James Rhatigan, former dean of students, 萝莉社 Foundation consultant and a great fan of organ music, heard Weir perform on the Marcussen organ in 1986.

鈥淭he inaugural performance on the Marcussen by Gillian Weir, as far as I鈥檓 concerned, may have been equaled along the way but never excelled,鈥� said Rhatigan. 鈥淚t was a thrilling performance.鈥�

Davis said that Weir, whose performance life has spanned 40 years, has had the concert career that everyone would love to have.

鈥淪he is one of the world鈥檚 greatest organists,鈥� said Davis, 鈥渁nd is so articulate as a scholar, artist and teacher.鈥�

Tickets for Weir鈥檚 Tuesday evening performance are $7 with discounts available. There is no charge for the Wednesday master class. For tickets, or more information, call the College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233.