PORT TOWNSEND — Classical pianist William Fitzhugh calls this “the miracle concert.”
He’s direct about the reasons.
“I had to overcome two separate stage-four cancers to be here,” said Fitzhugh, who’s getting ready to offer well-known works by Ravel, Debussy, Satie and more Thursday.
His is part of the Candlelight Concert series at Trinity United Methodist Church, uptown at 609 Taylor St. Admission to the
7 p.m. performance is a suggested $10 donation for adults. As usual with Candlelight Concerts, children are invited to come free, and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
When asked about his health, Fitzhugh said it’s “still a work in progress,” since he finished intensive chemotherapy for his second bout with cancer only about two months ago.
He added that his Seattle oncologist, Dr. Maxwell Krem, just might come to Thursday’s concert.
It looks to be an evening of musical therapy, with Debussy’s “Clair de lune,” Erik Satie’s “Gymnopédie No. 1,” Ravel’s “Pavane pour une infante défunte” and a lesser-known piece by the Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin.
Music lovers are invited to stay after the concert for refreshments; they will have a chance to purchase a copy of Fitzhugh’s most recent CD, “Classical Piano Favorites.”
Before moving to Port Townsend in 2010, Fitzhugh spent a decade as a volunteer pianist, playing for the people at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland and Overlake Hospital in Bellevue. He’s continued volunteering here, when he was well enough, and has played at San Juan Villa, Seaport Landing, Victoria House and the Life Care Center in Port Townsend.
For more information about Thursday’s performance and the Candlelight Concert series, which benefits Trinity United’s Victorian restoration program and other local charities, phone Dan Purnell at 360-774-1644.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
