My first time... Organ music in the morning

Editor Gretta Bott

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Every Wednesday morning, the Fraumünster kicks things off with a short, lively organ concert for everyone. I went along to have a look.

I’m slowly starting to feel truly at home in Zurich: anyone who cycles to the Fraumünster at 7.45 am on Wednesdays for the weekly organ music has truly arrived in the city on the Limmat. It is only the cycle ride there, along the Limmat with views of the Grossmünster, Lindenhof, Schipfe and, of course, the Fraumünster, that briefly makes me switch to a tourist’s perspective. How beautiful Zurich is!

Wöchentlich findet im Fraumünster ein kurzes, morgendliches Orgelkonzert statt.

Die Orgel, die mittwochs für 15 Minuten Ablenkung sorgt.

We arrive, take our seats in the pews, and the concert begins. Today’s programme: Johann Sebastian Bach, Jehan Alain (never heard of him) and then Bach again. The first piece by Bach is lovely. A bit too staid for my taste. I lean back; some of the guests – I’m amazed at how many have gathered here today – even close their eyes. And so Bach’s music washes over us. When Pastor Johannes Block stands up with a microphone headset in his ear, I’m startled: wasn’t it supposed to be 15 minutes of music? I hadn’t expected a sermon. Have I mistakenly wandered into an early morning mass? But no, it is merely Pastor Block’s thoughts on the day.

Next comes the music of Jehan Alain, which strikes me as somewhat dystopian, and I can’t quite find my way back to my initial inner calm. Bach’s Fugue in C minor makes me smile. It’s exactly what I’d expected: the organ at its best, played with gusto and filling the church beautifully. Thank you, Johann Sebastian Bach. I knew I could count on you!

Finally, Pastor Block blesses everyone with “Seek peace and pursue it”. As I walk out, I think to myself: I’ll do that again sometime. Others need yoga in the morning. Fifteen minutes of music is more my kind of meditation. What a lovely start to the day!

Every Wednesday, 7.45 am, Fraumünster

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