Pièce en ut

François Riat (April 28, 1921 - January 22, 1973) — Pièce en ut

Swiss organist, pianist, conductor and composer. He completed his musical training at the Friborg Conservatory as a student of Francis Lombriser. He obtained the concert diploma for piano in 1945 (experts Bronarski (Fribourg) and Lassueur (Lausanne) with distinction and 2nd prize for virtuosity.

François Riat worked in Bern as an organist, choir director and piano teacher. From 1950 until his death he was the organist at the Marienkirche in Bern and since 1965 also the conductor of the church choir there. My father sang in this choir and I was allowed to go up on the gallery when I was a little boy. There I got to know Mr. Riat as a virtuoso organist and attentive conductor. I received my first years of piano lessons from him in his house in Bern.
Mr. Riat was a striking figure; he towered over his fellow human beings by almost head height. As a piano student, I was impressed by his huge hands, which could easily grab an eleventh on the keyboard.
The organ and organ music fascinated me so much that I began to learn to play the organ. Shortly after his death, I was allowed to take up my first part-time position as an organist on this very organ.

Today is François Riat's 100th birthday (see photo) and on this occasion I am playing his Pièce en ut, which is shaped by his passion for French organ music. I heard the piece as he played it himself and I remember it impressively.