Reitze Smits

The Dutch Church, 7 Austin Friars, London EC2N 2HA

Performance co-sponsored by the Dutch Church & Dutch Centre.

Francis Poulenc (1899–1963)
Sonate
Prelude; Rustique; Final

William Byrd (1540–1623)
Three pieces from My Ladye Nevells Booke
The Eighte Pavian; Will Yow Walke The Woods Soe Wylde; A Fancie

Reitze Smits (born 1956)
Three Toys (on black and white keys)
Easy Toy (much obliged to the anonymous composer of no CCLXIII in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book)
Noisy Toy
Gentle Toy

JS Bach (1685–1750)
Suite BWV 997
Preludio; Fuga; Sarabande; Gigue

JS Bach (1685–1750)
Preludium en Fuga in G major, BWV 541

Reitze Smits studied organ, harpsichord, composition, improvisation and musicology. The interpretation of baroque music and his fascination for the music of Bach defined his career for many years. He won prizes on several international organ-competitions. With his baroque-ensemble Concerto Strumentale he performed in international festivals, where especially his “reconstructions” of organ-concertos by Bach highly were appreciated. As a conductor he performed among others Bach’s cantatas and his St John’s Passion. His recent Bach interpretations on allofbach.com have been highly praised.

Inspired by his work as organ professor at the music high schools in Utrecht and Leuven, improvisation and the organ repertoire at large attracted his full attention again. He has performed in many European countries and has been guest professor at international organ courses in Haarlem, Toulouse, Brno, Oundle, Mallorca and more.

He has edited and recorded arrangements of works of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Satie, Poulenc and Milhaud. He has composed several works for organ, and music for choir and other instruments.

From 2000 until 2017 was artistic director of the “Voor de Wind” festival, bringing the organ with multi-disciplined programming under the attention of a large audience.

In 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Sweelinck-prize for his contributions to the Dutch organ culture.

The St Albans International Organ Festival presents monthly International Concerts on Saturdays throughout the year.

Entrance and programme are free, with charitable donations invited to support future events presented by the St Albans International Organ Festival.