ORGAN RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5191, 23 December 1884, Page 4

ORGAN RECITAL.

The organ recital given by —tr G. P. Tendall, organist of St Michael's, at the Cathedral last night, was nearly as successful from the charitable point of view as from the purely artistic, which is saying a good deal, for that gentleman is a thoroughly skilled musician, who handles his instrument with refinement and good taste. . Although tho debt incurred by the Committee of the Choral Association has not been quite wiped out, the liability now remaining is not very great. The building was comfortably filled, and .£lO 10s 3d was taken at the offertory. The Eev W. H. Elton offered up a short prayer, after which Mr Tendall began bis recital with a prelude by Handel, written in a style very unlike that master's so familiar to every musical ear, but nevertheless containing unuiistakeable traces of his hand. A charming pastoral movement by Kullak followed, in which tbe peculiar characteristics of that particular I species of composition were well preserved, i The reed stops were used mo3t effeo l ively by the performer to lend the appropriate colouring, and some very pleasing combinations wero worked out for a number of answering passages occurring throughout the piece. Nearly all the great masters were drawn upon, Mr Tendall appearing to endeavour to replace in some degree the orchestra so much needed for the performance of classical music here, but erring on tho safe side in not setting before his hearers too heavy a programme. The consequence was an unquestionable musical treat. Prom Handel, the great master of the organ, were taken a grand concerto, and the spirited, stirring overture to the occasional oratorio, with its contrasts of almost pathetic andante and bold concluding march. Prom Haydn — " Papa " Haydn, as the Germans call him — the andante known as the clock movenienb, with its quaint contrapuntal devices whereby the old master shows his marvellous technical skill, and while strictly preserving the character of his theme throughout, does away with all approach to monotony. Mozart was laid under contribution for a quiet, melodious andante movement ; and the well-known larghetto from Beethoven's symphony iv D formed a worthy instance of the style of the greatest musical genius tbat ever lived. And Mr Tendall, perhaps, showed his powcra more in the way he played this than any other piece during the evening, though a choice is hard to make whero all was so thoroughly well played.