MUSICAL.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8914, 3 October 1894, Page 6

MUSICAL.

CATHEDRAL ORGAN RECITAL. Last night MrTendall gave a recital in the Cathedral, which was noticeable, not only from the artistic playing of the organist, but also from the tact that for the first time one heard the violin supported by the organ in solos. The depth of tone oi the organ supplied a background of tone against which the lighter quality of the violin showed up with greao effect. Miss Packer selected for her first solo Raff's "Cavatina," with which visiting solo violinists have made us pretty familiar. It was played very artistically and with considerable ability. Beethoven's " Romance in G " was the next solo, and here the artistic hecompanimentof MrTendall helped to bring outthe beauties of the composition, which was finely interpreted by Miss Packer. Salome's "Cautabile*" full of broad melody, aud affording every opportunity to the violinist to display breadth of tieatment, was well given by Miss Packer, the wonderful power and grasp of the subject treated as a tone picture which the composer has so artistically pourtrayed, being reproduced very artistically. MrTendall's contributions to the programme were excellently played. His first number was Bach's Fugue in D minor, which gave him an opportunity of displaying the power and variety of the stops of the organ, of which he took full advantage. The "Largo," by Beethoven, which followed, was a complete foil to the florid character of the fugue, being a beautiful flowing melody, in which the flute aud clarionet stops were heard with great effect. Handel's coucerto No. 2 was most artistically given. The introduction, which is purely Handelian in style, especially so in the beautiful and stateiy adagio, was also very finely played. A "Fautasie," by Saint Saens, followed, which was given with much power, and ' then came what was undoubtedly the gem of the evening, Batiste's " Offertoire in F." This was given in a manner exhibiting wonderful command over the various stops, the finale especially being exceedingly brilliantly played. Cresen's " Wedding March," composed for the Duke of York's marriage, is somewhat commonplace, the theme being scanty and not evincing any originality of treatment. The brilliant " Cornelius" march by Mendelssohn was given with a good deal of power and spirit by Mr Tendall, and altogether his playing was of a very high character of merit. The offertory, which was for the Cathedral choir and music library fund, amounted to £6 0s 3d.