ST. MARK'S ORGAN RECITAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2517, 22 May 1895, Page 3

ST. MARK'S ORGAN RECITAL.

Thero was a full congregation at St. Mark’s Church lust night to hear the recital on tho organ which has just been enlarged and renewed at considerable expense. Tho organist was Mr G. F. Tendall, Mua. lino., Oxon. (organist of Christchurth Cathedral). A very attractive programme was presented. It comprised the overture to Handel’s “Athaiia,” an audanto entitled “At Evening,” by Dudley Duck, a fugue in D major, by J. S. Bach, an andante m A Hat, by W. S. Hoyte, a fantasia by Saint-Sacns, one of Mendelssohn's lieder (No. 18), a funeral march by Grieg, the iarghotto from Mozart’s clarinettoqumtett, and a linalo by Lemmons. Mr T'ondall gave convincing proof of his ability as au organist, and brought out into great relief the sweetness of tone, rich quality and power of tho instrument he played upon. Tho programme also embraced four vocal contributions. Mrs Greenwood and Mrs AVebb sang with admirable effect tho wellknown duet " 0 Lovely Pence,” from

" Judas Maecabams,” and Mr Prouso sang with very fine expression tho plaintive air "0 Have Morey ” from "St. Paul'.” Mr K, S. Gibson gave tho air “ My Hope is in the Everlasting,” from Stainer's “Daughter of Jairua,” and the quartet "God is a Spirit,” from Stainer’s “Woman of Samaria," was sung by Mesdamos Greenwood and Wohb and Messrs Gibson and Prouso.

Just prior to tho offertory the incumbent (Kor B. Coffey) thanked those present for their attendance, and also thanked thoso subscribers ill tho parish who had responded to tho call inado upon them in aid of tho organ fund. Ho had not expected that within 12 months they would bo able to bring tho fund so near to the amount necessary to be paid the. organ builders, Messrs Fincham and Hobday, of Melbourne. This firm had done its work so well that Mr Tendall was ready to give bis certificate, which was the condition precedent to tho payment of tho contract money. Mr Tendall believed that the work had been done well and faithfully, and ho (Mr Coffoy) could testify to the iulitiitu pains taken by the contractors in oven small matters. Tho tonus of the contract were exceedingly stringent, and he believed tho church had got more than tho worth of its monoy. The rev. gentleman then appealed for a liberal offertory, if they all contributed merely tho “pit” price at ordinary entertainments, there would bo a sum of .£35 realised. As honest people lie was snrn they wonld pay fairly for their entertainment.

Tho offertory was tlien taken up, and produced a sum of .£l7 2a. Tlio contract price for tho enlargement and renovation -of the organ was £511), and yesterday a cheque for £SOO over to tlio contractors. There are some extras, which make np tho balance yet to be paid to £IOO. Tlio churchwardens yesterday received tho following letter from Mr Tendall:—.

'To tho Church wardens, St. Mark’s Church, Wellington. Gentlemen,—l bog to inform yon that, in accordance with your request, I have examined tho organ erected by Messrs Pincham and Hobday in the Church of St. Mark’s, Wellington. First, as regards its tone ; tho general tone of the instrument ia excellent, indeed many of the stops are really beautiful, and to particularise any one stop is almost unnecessary, aa they are on tho wholo so uniformly good, though, of course, tho voix celeste, tho clarinotto and tho suabo flute will probably bo tho general favourites, tho latter especially possessing a very beautiful and characteristic tone. Secondly, ns regards the touch, ! found this also good, tho great organ especially being ns light and crisp its a pianoforte. Thirdly, I examined every detail connected with tho mechanism and construction of tho instrument generally, and I found tho work exceedingly good throughout. In conclusion I beg to say that I consider Messrs Fincham and Hobday to have fulfilled their contract in a conscientious and thorough manner, —I have. Ac., G. F. Tendall, Mus. Hue., Oxon. and N.Z., lion member Collego of Organists, London, examiner in music to tho University of Now Zealand, lecturer in music to Canterbury College, president of tho Canterbury Society of Musicians, organist of Christchurch Cathedral, Now Zealand, Ac.