MR HAROLD GREGSONS ORGAN RECITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 139, 13 June 1911, Page 7

MR HAROLD GREGSONS ORGAN RECITAL.

Notwit-hsta_td_ng the inclement evening there was a good attendance at PittStreet Meth-uist Ohurch last night to hear the concert organist, Mr. Harold Gregsou, give his first recital on the tine new organ that has ju.t been placed in the church. The reel talis c presented a programme embracing works irc_. the compositions ot liac-a. Guilma-nt, King Hall, St. Clair, and Oevred, and arrangements of works by Wagner, Handel, Bizet, Schuberc, aud Dvorak. The selection of pieces displayed to the fullest, extent the possibiitci&J |of the instrument, and the pene.'t coinImand Mr. Gregson has of the organ. In jhi= combinations he exhibited fine judginient, and used the solo stops to splen ,id purpose, and the lightning like cuang.s from the uirTerent manuals were executed i with previai-n and _ea:ness. Throughout Mr. tireg-on. placing was noted lor [a well-considered, approprijt? choice of I stops, suitable to the character of the I work perform-.!, -a noble simplicity of istvle iree from all exa-geration, charm

ot phra_i_g, and reliable tinker technique. Other features were the discreet use of the crescendo pedals, an 1 the scrupulous - care and accuracy in regard to rhytmu,, shading, eie. The recital w.vs tit'.ingy j ' opened with Bath's "Toccata and tux-ie in 1. Minor,'' which received a masUr y performance. The Adagio was p'awd with dramatic impulse, and the ru.-iii ig Semiquavers of the Presiiissimo were executed with facility, while the contrasts of tone between the choir and swell manuals were admirably displayed in the Allegro. The following Prestissimo, played | forte on the great organ, showed this section of the instrument to good purpose. The crashing chords of the Maestoso were rendered with decision, and the pedal passage leading into the su.sejquent movement exhibited to advantage 1 the full tone of the pe-lal-clavier. The fu.gue was given with ilr-arn-ss an.l nci curacy of finger work, while the subjects land ar.swer.r nere clearly denned. Tin runs of thirty-sec md notes wen- given [ Willi freedom, and the brilliant [cd'-l passages were per formed with clearness. The gradual building up of the org in tone to the recitative was well done, an! the contrasts of time between tiie adair'.o chords and the vivace arpeggios showel h i\v in sympathy tiie player was w:t:i tin- work of tbe great Eisenach com-po-er. Both skill and taste were disi played in the registering of St. Clair's 1 "Meditation," which admirably served to I exhibit the soft combinations of the [organ and solo stops. The duo playing by the right hand on the swell and great manuals, with vo:t human*, tremulant. and rohr flute ou the former, and slopped diapason on the latter, was a beautiful combination, and the subdued accompaniment ou the choir with soft . 8-foot stops, and eoho bourdon and flute cm pedal, made up an ensemble which was most satisfying. The second movement', performed with a different variety of stops, displayed to advantage the diapason and stringed-toned registers, which proved enjoyable and p'ea-s----in_ to listen to. Pevred's "Communion' 1 was played most devotiouatly and showled off to fine effect the swell gamba ami voix celeste and the soft stops of the choir organ. Dvorak's " .lumoreske" was performed with a fine sense of rhythm, elegantly phrased and delicately treated. (Juilmaxtt's -Priere et Berceuse," and "Marehe Funcbre et Chant Soraphique." received admirable performances. The full resources of. the organ were shown to advantage in the skilful rendering of Wasner'- overture to "Rienzi." and the reed stops were heard to fine effect in the solo work of King Hall's "Offe.-toire." Schubert's "Aye Maria" was artistically played, aud excellent choice of stops was displayed in Bizet's "Intermezzo." The recital close.! with a majestic performance of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." Mr. Gregson gives his second recital nest Monday evening. The organ is a fine three-manual instrument of imposing appearance, built by Mr. George Croft. Auckland, which does him infinite credit. The tone is most satisfying, and admirably suits the purpose for which it is intended, to lead the praise in Divine service. The action of tl\2 organ is tubular-pneumatk throughout, and is blown by a two-stag" rotary fan blower driven by a two-horse powei electric motor. It contains 14-10 pipes and has 28 stops, 8 on the great, 11 on the swell. 5 on the choir, and 4 on the pedal clavier, and 0 couplers. The accessories are tremulant to swell, 2 balanced crescendo pedals, 8 composition pedals and pneumatic pistons on the manuals. The pedals are radiating and concave, the console is detached, and the compa-ss is 58 notes, while the pipes in the front of the organ are silvered and in a suitable case.