The world-famous organist celebrated the restoration of St Margaret's renowned Snetzler organ with a recital which demonstrated the instrument in all its glory.

By ALISON CROOSE

The world-famous organist celebrated the restoration of St Margaret's renowned Snetzler organ with a recital which demonstrated the instrument in all its glory.

Dame Gillian has enjoyed playing the famous instrument at several Lynn Festivals and offered to perform to give the £130,000 restoration fund a final boost.

Her display of virtuosity delighted a large audience and raised more than £5000 for the fund which is nearing its target.

“Tried and tested audience-happy works” was the way Dame Gillian described her programme.

An exciting range of music enabled Dame Gillian to prove her talent and expertise while revealing the characteristics which underline the view that the St Margaret's instrument was the Swiss organ-builder's principal masterpiece.

Its purity of sound was evident from the opening of JS Bach's Toccata in F Major through works including the light and airy Sonata in C Major by Franz Schnizer, Joseph Jongen's magnificent Sonata Eroica and in the amusing musical portrait of six nuns, Suite Carmelite by Jean Francaix. A Toccata by Jongen concluded a memorable occasion.