New Electrical Organ

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 114, 17 May 1938, Page 6

New Electrical Organ

DEMONSTRATION GIVEN A large audience gathered in the Bosco tearooms last evening to hear the first demonstration recital of the Hammond electric organ, which was given by Mr. C. A. Martin, Mus.Bac., L.B.A.M. The programme included a varied selection of popular transcriptions and two original organ compositions, amply demonstrating the instrument 's capabilities. Many delightful effects were obtained in the softer num lers, particularly in “In Meditation ” from “Thais’ ’ (Massenet) and “Nocturne ” (Chopin). A clever imitation of bells was heard in “Silent Night,” and Mr. Martin was compelled to repeat his presentation. Only in the Bach “Prelude and Fugiie in G Minor” and the “Toccata” from Wider’s Fifth Symphony did any shortcomings in tonal output and clean technique become apparent. Here the lack of resonance in the hall and the absence of clarity in the tone of the pedal organ marred the performance. One felt, that this amazing Invention, capable, it is stated, 0f23,000,000 tonal combinations produced by small revolving tone wheels and magnets without the assistance of pipes, reeds, or wind pressure, had some definite contribution to make to musical history, but that for genuine organ music and leading congregational singihg the orthodox pipe organ is still supreme.

Mr. Woodhouse also presented acceptably two groups of songs with organ accompanim ant_