ORGAN RECITAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 36

ORGAN RECITAL.

Mr Maughan Barnett gave last week in St. John's Church the second of his series of organ recitals. We regret to add that it was very inadequately patronised. The programme was varied and attractive, and its several numbers were interpreted with fine artistic taste. The first organ solo comprised a choral song by Wesley, a characteristic andante by Smart,and the first movement of Rinck's flute concerto. All three pieces were executed with masterly effect, the excerpt from the concerto being marked by much delicacy and singularly sweet intonation. After an interval the organist gave con amove Mendelssohn's F Minor Sonata, the solemn and tender sweeteess of the passages in the first movement being very skilfully treated, and the deeply resonant and powerful passages towards the end receiving forcible expression. A charming andante and striking offerfcoire by Batiste formed the third organ solo, and afforded favourable display for Mr Barnett's very abl ■> and discriminate treatment of the nuames of expression. An allegretto and man. i; by Calkin, bothexceedingly well rem ered, closed the recital. ■

The programme was supplemented with two vocal solos, the singer being Mr Horace Stebbing, who has recently taken up his residence in Wellington, and who on this occasion made his local debut. He sang Glover's " Consider the Lilies" and " The Holy City" (Adams), and produced a distinctly favourable, impression. He has a good baritone voice of fair compass and even quality, and he sings with correct expression. Mr Stebbing may certainly be accounted a decided acquisition to the musical resources of Wellington.