ORGAN OPENING FESTIVAL AT THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1998, 31 July 1874, Page 2

ORGAN OPENING FESTIVAL AT THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Beforo passing to a description of tho new organ in tho Durham street Wesleyan church, formally opened last night, it may not be out of place to detail somo of the circumstances which led to the instrument being procured. When the size of the church building is taken into consideration, it is almost a superfluity to slate that the harmonium — although a powerful one — formerly in use, was soon found to be altogether inadequate to the proper support of tho service of song, and representations to this effect were more than once made to the trustees of the church by Mr Spensley, director of the choir, who, about the middle of last year was •instructed to prepare an estimate for an organ. Acting on this authority, on July 8, 1872, Mr Spensley wrote to the trustees, informing them that, after comparing estimates for organs, he had fixed upon an instrument made by Messrs Bishop and Starr, of London, as the most suitable and cheapest of any that could be made for a building of the dimensions of the Wosleyan Church. The organ recommended was, whon ereoted, to cost under £500, a limit which has not been exceeded, though, to keep within it, the builders were compelled to leave out two stops— wood and metal flutes and trumpet — named in tho specification received by them. They, however, took care to leave space fop additional stops, and provided ample bellows power to admit of further additions, which will be made in due course. Before August 24 most of tho sum required for the purchase of the organ was subscribed, and on that date Mr Spensley received a letter from Mr George Gould, covering bills of exchange from £200 in favour of Messrs Bishop and Starr, being the first remittance for purchase of the organ, and was informed that ho; would receive the necessary instructions from Messra Fitchett, Harris, and Turner. That due diligence was used in getting the instrument out as soon as the order was received is evidenced by the fact that within eleven months of the date of Mr Gould's letter the instrument was manufactured, had been Bent out to the colony in the ship Ballochmyle, which arrived in Lyttelton- on Juno 1 in tho present year, and was erected in tho church and in use at rehearsals for the festival of yesterday. Tho organ is placed in the gallery facing the main or Durham street entrance, and in r.-ar of the pulpit. This gallery was originally strongly constructed, but in view of the weight of the instrument, which is . considerable, it was decided to strengthen it somewhat, and this was accordingly done. The work of erecting the organ was entrusted to Mr Jenkins, organ builder, of Kaiapoi, who has fulfilled his task in a most creditable manner. The following is a complete description of the organ : — GREAT OEGAN.-Compass CC to G, 56 Notes. . « , Ft Pi P" a . Tl--1 Open Diapason (metal) 8 56 2 Viol di Gamba, do Tenor C 8 ' 44 3 Stopped Diapason (wood) Bass') Q Kr 4 Stopped Diapason do Treble.) 8 &v 5 Principal (metal) 4 56 6 Twelfth do 3 sfl 7 Fifteenth do 2 58 8 Sesquialtra do 3 ranks*... 163 492 SWELL ORGAN.— CoMriss CC to G, 56 Notes. 9 Double Diapason (wood) Tenor Ul6 U 10 Open Diapason (metal) do 8 -tl 11 Lieblich Gedast (wood) Bass "> o En 12 Lieblich Gedast do Treble J ° ■13 Principal (metal) ... 4 56 14 Fifteenth do 2 56 15 Cornopean do 8 56 16 Hautbois do Tenor C 8 44 356 PEDAL ORGAN.— Compass CCC to E, 29 Notes. 17 Opfin Diapason (wood) ... 16 29 29 COUPLERS. 18 Swell.to Great; 3 Composition. 19 Swell to Podal. 20 Great to Pedal. Pedals to Great Organ. Total number of Pipes 877 • The wind chest to both manuals is fitted with concussion bellows (Bishop and Starr's patent doublo-action bellows), weighted to a 3in pressure. Deal stained and varnished case, with diapered front or speaking pipes, 29 in number. The instrument is fitted with radi--1 ating and concave pedals. Since tbp instrument has been set up, tho speaking pipes havo been re-painted, the colouring being pleasantly relieved by leaf work wrought in gold. The caso also has received an additional coat of varnish, and the mouldings on tho front gilded, the wholo presenting a highly finished appearance. Despite the wet weather which had prevailed during the day, and tho uncomfortable state of tho roads consequent thereupon, the church was comfortably filled, from a thousand to twelvo hundred persons being present. The programme arranged for tho festival comprised some of the choicest selcections from tho principal works of thoso great masters — Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven. Its only fault was that it was so lengthy that a large portion of the audience, residents of Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, Rangiora and other places at a distance found it necessary to retire while the second part was in course of performance. This was rather unfortunate especially as those who went away loßt the best choruses of the evening — those from "Israel in Egypt" — with which the concert was brought to a conclusion. Tho programme might well have been curtailed by the omission of at least three of tho vocal solos, which wore not, and never could havo been of sufficient merit to entitle their performers to a conspicuous place in a programme arranged for so important an occasion. With tho exception of this little error, of heart rather than of head, Mr Spensley is justly entitled to every commendation for tho mannor in which ho originated, arranged, and condncted the festivnl. for above two months he has held two rehearsals a week, and has been indefatigable in his exertions to work his chorus into a stato of efficiency. As to his success, and as to tho completeness of the command under which lie had the vocalists, all who had the pleasure of being present yesterday evening will freely testify. Tho bulk of tho chorus, which numbered over a hundred performers, a large number of whom wero members of Episcopal Church choirs, and of tho Christchurch Harmonic Society, who had kindly given their assist anco, were accommodated on a strong temporary platform over the space occupied by tho pulpit and Communion Table, tho remainder occupying tho gallery seats adjoining tho organ. During tlio evening Mr R. Parker, organist of S. Michael and All Angels, presided at the organ as soloist and accompanyist, and Mr Charles Bonnington led tho band — each ably fulfilling the duties which devolved upon him. Prior to the commencement of the concert, the Hundredth Psalm was given out and sung by the vocalists and audience ; the Rev J. Buller then offered a short prayer; after which, addressing the audiente in tho name of tho office-bearers, he expressed a hope that

however much they might bo pleased with the performance of tho good things ho boliovod .were contained in the programme, they would abstain from demonstrations of applause unsuitable to the sacred character of tho building in which they were assembled. Tho organ— and tho festival— waa then formally opened by Mr Parker, with a prelude from Mendelssohn, which, though brief, was sufficient to exhibit the mellowness of tono possessed by the instrument, and its capability of expression when under tho influonco of clover aud tasteful manipulation. In thiß part, Mr Parker played another solo, an andante in F major, by Woly, intended rather to show how the powers of the " King of Instruments "could be subordinated, than to display them. This selection was a particularly happy one, aa it enabled the beauties of tho light stops to be brought out to great advantage. Amongst the vocal solos in this part was "God of our Fathers," from Handel's "Samson," by the performance of whioh Mr Walcot thoroughly established himself as a conscientious and reliable exponent of high-class sacred music. The execution of " Return, 0 God of Hosts," from the same oratorio by Mrs Taylor, we regret to be unable to praise, the advantage of a good and tuneful voice being thrown away through want of a proper observance of time. " How willing my paternal Love," also from " Samson," was well sung by that veteran oratorio soloist, Mr Merton. Mias Rowley may aho be praised for her careful rendering of "Let the bright Seraphim," though her voice was quite inadequate to the requirements of so large a building. "If with all your hearts," from Mendelssohn's " Elijah," with its introductory rooitative* tvas entrusted to Mr Shelton, who was clearly unequal to the task imposed upon him, although he evidently did his beßt to acquit himßelf creditably. The audience, although debarred the power of expressing their gratification, were evidently much pleased with MiBS Kent's singing of tho lovely solo, " O rest in tho Lord," from " Elijah ," notwithstanding the fact that her fine voice evidently stands in want of a little more cultivation. The plaintive air from Mendelssohn's " S.Paul " waa sung by Miss A. S. Taylor with true appreciation of tho composer's meaning. The beautiful unaccompanied trio " Lift thine eyes,' from "Elijah " was not so well oxecuted as it might have been. The choruses "Then round about the Starry Throne," "O first created beam," "Fixed in His Everlasting Seat, " and " Let their celestial concerts, from Handel's " Samson ; " " How Lovely are the Meßsengors,", from Mendelssohn's "S. Paul ;" and " Hallelujah to the Father," from Beethoven's " Mount of Olives " were given with good effeot, and some of them would most certainly have beep, wdemanded, had not propriety forbidden any demonstration. During the interval an address was delivered by the Rev A. R. Fitchett. Mr Fitchett said that lie had responded with pleasure to the invitation of the trustees to deliver an address on that occasion, because, aa a former pastor of the Durham street church, he had been concerned in sending for the noblo instrument whioh the ohurch now possessed. It was gratifying to find that they not only wore multiplying instruments of that class in this part of the world— so remote from tho old centres of civilisation and the art3— but that they know how to use them. He remembered with satisfaction the former musical festival, and thought it was matter for congratulation that the largeßt gatherings which had taken placo in Christchurch, perhaps for any purpose, had been assembled within those walls to listen to classical music The choruses on their present programme were amongst tho noblest creations of musical genius, and would eadure whilst the world stood. What he had to say would relate to tho value of music in education, and as a help to devotion. Music was of value in education, because of its power to waken the sense of beauty — the poetic and artistic insight which enabled us to see the beauty with which tho work of the groat Architect and Artist everywhere was clothed. This waß one of tho most valuable portions of intellectual culture. Music would carry on this culture, but only when it (the music) was itself of the noblest and highest kind. A great deal of. music popular in the concert halls had littlo real pootio or artistic merit. Such festivals as tho present had their value in promoting the noblest musio in existence. Mr Fitchett referred to tho low character of much of tho current piano music, and road an amusing extract from the "Poet at tho Breakfast Tablo," by Oliver Wendell Holmes, to illustrate the common vices of piano playing. He (Mr Fitchett) would commend to his young Jady hearers the study of the Sonatas of Mozart and Beethoven. Somo of them would not prcsont greater mechanical difficulties than the productions of tho rutn-ty dum-ty composers, whilst thoy wore rich in the highest forms of musical beauty. Ho next referpod to tho capacity of misic to aid dovotion, Its sphere was the feelings, rather than tho intellect, but through tho feelings it swayed the whole man. The Marseillaise and tho Wacht am Rhein wore examples of the power of music to movo men. The former had helped to overthrow a monarchy, whilst, by the aid of the latter, the Prussians had sung themselves from Berlin to Paris. Music could exert a similar power for religious ends. The speaker then referred to tho musical career of Mr Sankey, in tho Scotch revival, and described tho revolution in Scottish prejudices against solo-singing and anthem-ainging in worship which had taken place as the result of Mr Sankey'B aonga. It was discovered that the Gospel could be preached from the piano or organ, as well as from the pulpit. In the oratorio chorus, music called up all her resources for expressing religious fooling. Tho speaker instanced tho " Hallelujah Chorus " of Handel, of a portion of which he gave an analysis. Its popularity and power were duo, not so much to its excellence as music — though that was high — as to its success in giving tho highest expression to the feeling of jubilant religious emotion. He, tlio speaker, when singing tho last few bars of that wonderful chorus — where tho words Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! arc repeated again and again on the chords of sub-dominant and tonic, — had felt the muscles of his face contract with the excitement, and could understand how, by the emotions music could kindle, tho fashion of a man's countenance might bo changed. If these feelings were not religion they were religious. Tho music that stimulated or provoked them ought to bo redeemed from tho associations of the concart hall. No place was bo suitable for the performance of the oratorios as the church. Not morely the organ — wliich disdained all meaner uses — was to bo employed in the service of praise. Drum, trumpet, violin, flute, every instrument of tho orchestra might claim its part in praising the Lord. And the answer to such a demand might be given in the wordß of one himself a. musician—" Praise God with frhq

aound'of tho trumpet ; Praise Him with poultry and harp : Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs ; Praiso Him upon the loud sounding cymbals." In conclusion, Mr Fitchett stated that he had spoken under sevoro limitation as to timo, and had but superficially dealt with his subject. In the interval the performers repaired to the upstair room above the schoolroom where refreshments wero Berved to them. Tho second part was openod with Handel's Occasional overture, played asa duet by Mr Parker and Miss Nellie Ashwin, a piece which brought Out the powers of the organ in their fullest grandeur. In this part, Mr Parker also played Sootson Clark's marohes in C major and G minor, pieces well calculated to show off the instrument to advantage. The vocal solos in hie part were given by Miss Winter, Miss Rowley, and Mr Knox. Tho air "In verdure olad," was sung by Miss Winter in a manner whioh evidenced her possession of true musical feeling. The preceding recitative she also delivered with good declamatory power, which is more than can be said for the remaining recitatives in this part, not excepting " In splendour bright," by Mr Rowley, whioh was somewhat marred by that gentleman's indistinctness of utterance. Mr Knox, who had selected the solo, " He layeth tho beams of his chambers in the Waters," from the Appendix to Handel's " Israel in Egypt," had evidently been overexerting himself in the choruses, and, consequently, had as much aa he could do to get through a song whioh is so difficult that it should never be undertaken by a vocalist who is in the slightest degree fatigued. With Mis.' .towley and Mr Walcot Mr Knox also sang that beautiful trio, " On Theo each living soul awaits," from Haydn's " Creation," a performance with which we wore by no means satisfied, tho voices being unevenly balanced, apparently through the gentlemen singing too loudly. We were sorry too to notice, especially in his solo passages in the trio, that Mr Knox has reverted to tho objeotionable practice which we noticed on a former occasion as a fault in his singing, of slurring or feeling his way from note to note. The choruses in the second part were taken from Haydn's "Creation " and Handel's "Israel in Egypt;" "The heavens are telling" and the two ohoJusea, "Aohieved ia the glorious work," from tho first, and "He gave them hail■toneß " and the series of three commencing with "Tho Lord shall reign," from the last named work. The whole of these wero sung with a spirit, dash, and precision which created a marked effect upon the audience, the execution of the grand double choruses from " Israel," being worthy of speoial commendation. As a whole, the festival may be pronounced an almost unqualified success, and in every way worthy of the important event in tho history of the_ Durham Street Wesleyan Church of whioh it was the celebration.