Weil Am Rhein Orchestergesellschaft

Orchestergesellschaft Weil am Rhein
The Orchestergesellschaft (OGW) Weil am Rhein was founded in 1927 by joining two small orchestras from Weil am Rhein and a neighbouring town. Today, the OGW is a symphony orchestra of amateur musicians supported by many non-playing members. The musicians come from Weil am Rhein and the surrounding area, including Switzerland and France. Besides the traditional concerts in the home city, the OGW is engaged on a regular basis by other cities, mainly in the vicinity of Weil. The orchestra also appears in the twin cities of Weil, Bognor Regis and Hunique, France.

Fridolin Uhlenhut comes from a family of Viennese musicians. He received his education as a cellist and conductor in Vienna, Salzburg, Freiburg, Amsterdam and Basel. He has been the musical director of the Orchestergesellschaft Weil am Rhein for 28 years, and it is thanks to him, that the orchestra has experienced a great revival during this time. The orchestra consists of 70 female and male instrumentalists who perform in this group most of the time. Last year Fridolin conducted two performances of the Messiah with a French choir, which were most successful. Two years previously he conducted St Matthew's Passion.

Fridolin, who lives in Basel with his wife, was professor of cello and chamber music at the Basel Music Academy from 1964 to 1999. Furthermore, he was active as a soloist in several symphony and chamber music ensembles. He still is director, cellist and conductor of Musica Antiqua Basel, who perform chamber music in traditional and historically authentic ways.

Colin Peters is a gold medallist at the Trinity College of Music. He made his performing debut in a weekly series of piano recitals over a period of two years when he was fulfilling his National Service commitments. He studied at the universities of Nottingham and London, where he took a PhD, and with Vivian Langrish (Royal Academy of Music), before embarking on a career in higher education, where he contributed to and edited a number of books. He also continued as a soloist and accompanist, working regularly with principals from Glyndebourne and Kent Opera. He is currently a freelance pianist, teacher, examiner and adjudicator.

Weil am Rhein
"Make sure you have your passport with you if you go for a walk". This is very sound advice for a visit to our German twin town of Weil am Rhein. The town is situated in an area called "The Three Country Corner" because it is divided from Switzerland and France by the river Rhein. Weil has ancient origins but the decision made between the two World Wars to build railway marshalling yards and locomotive repair works there changed it from a village into a thriving town. Other industries such as electronics, manufacture of office furniture and textiles have developed more recently.

Today some 30,000 people live in the main town and small picturesque villages which surround it. Weil has excellent sporting facilities including an ice rink and large water complex - the Laguna. The latter draws visitors from both Switzerland and France as well as Germany. A walk around the town reveals the contrast between the buildings in the old town and the modern Town Hall and shopping centre. It is equally pleasant to stroll in the villages and amongst the vines on the hills with the fine view over the Rhein Valley and Basel. The area is famous for its wine, which can be sampled in the many inns of the area. Some ten minutes away by road is the historic city of Basel, with its picturesque buildings and fine shopping centre. Further afield are the Swiss Lakes, the Black Forest, Alsace and the ancient university town of Freiburg. As a place to sample three cultures in one, Weil makes an ideal base.

The orchestra will be in Bognor from March 28th to April 1st, and there will be every opportunity for members to meet them. Please consider the possibility of hosting some of our guests in your home for the weekend.

Note venue: Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis