Organ Music

Source: The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 38, No. 657 (Nov. 1, 1897), pp.
744-745
Published by: Musical Times Publications Ltd.
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 THE MUSICAL TIMES. NOVEMBER I, I897.
744

CHURCH MUSIC. distinguished musicians, took part in a memorable

performance of this masterpiece. Modern musicians
WHY the mus1c of the Sanctuary comes in for so do not expect proportionate effect from choral works
little, or, of late, no consideration at the annual written in a great number of parts; though the
Church Congress is a mystery which awakens ln the elaboration of the orchestral score has become the
minds of many practical and earnest men surprsse sxne qza zlO of modern art.
and regret. In the words of an eminent musician, Sir John Stainer's cantata "The Daughter of
sacred music is now " an integral and not, as formerly, Jairus," one of the most successful of modern Church
a subsidiary part of the services " of the Church, and oratorios, was included in the music selected for the
so can no longer be wisely neglected, overlooked, or recent inauguration of the new organ in Bangor
put aside in the councils of our Church authorities. Cathedral
However, seeing the marked interest many clergymen The introduction of an organ in Free St. George's
nowtake in the spread and progressof Church music, Church, Edinburgh, seems to be regarded in the
the absence of any serious attempt to deal with the North as an event illustrating the general capitulation
subJect at the Church Congress meetings may Of the sterner and more cautiously advancing members
perhaps be properly ascribed to the want of pre- Of a Christian body so long resisting the introduction
liminary action on the part of our Church musicians, Of instrumental music in Church. The congregation
rather than to studied or even accldental neglect on Of St. GeorgeFs, Edinburgh, are to be congratulated,
the part of those responsible for the arrangement of not only upon this display of the courage of their new
the Church Congress proceedings. Possible causes opinion in this matter, but also upon the engage-
are the loss of such clerical Church musicians as the ment of so gifted and able an organist as Mr. Alfred
Rev. Sir Fredk. Ouseley and the Rev. Sir Henry Hollins
Baker; the completion of the labours of the " Ancient
and Modern " Hymn Book Committee, and the con-
sequent apparent inactivity of that influential body; ORGAN MUSIC.
and the great pressure of work and responsibility SOMETHING more than local interest is attached to
falling to the lot of our "chief musicians," whereby the selection of an organist for the Town Hall
they may conscientiously feel disinclined to advance Leeds. Feeling this, probably, the committee dealing
within the range of new sources of artistic and with the appointment have proceeded to advertise
professional anxiety. Then music has, perhaps, still for candidates a second time; the forty-two applica-
to find a place of real honour and active usefulness in tions already made not, in their opinion, including a
the scheme of those who guide the work done in the sufficient number of eminent names. As pointed out
recently established Church House. by a weekly contemporary, the Leeds Corporation
The necessary impetus to a broader and more may take to themselves the not undigniISed course of
earnest consideration of the pressing claims of seeking out some suitable man, through the assistance
Church music might, of course, be given with eSect of two or three professional advisers.
and at the right moment by that powerful body, the There are, however, other aspects of this question
Royal College of Organists; and the new and useful deserving attention, not only in connection with
Church Orchestral Society is also in a position to Leeds, but with regard to the present condition of
request an opportunity at some future Church professional life in the musical world. The musical
Congress for the discussion of matters and for the artist of high reputation stands in an attitude too
exposition of information concerning its immediate fixed to be necessarily dependent upon official
mission in connection with the advancement of positions; although it is right and natural that such
sacred art. positions should be in the hands of men of high
The Anglican communion must perforce take the repute. All the same, men of the front ranks of
subject of music in church into consideration ere the profession in London and elsewhere, especially
long, in view of the present decided attitude of in the metropolis, where good positions and large
public opinion. Not only from within, but from incomes are plentiful even in these days of sharp
without, there are abundant signs of the forward competition, are not to be tempted by even such
movement. TheNonconformistbodies,longreluctant important offices as that of organist to the city of
to move, are now advancing with no uncertain steps Leeds. Then there is a lesson on the other side-
intheadoptionofChurchmusicalformsandmethods; the lesson of digniISed self-respect in art matters
and they have many able musicians working with which seems a difficult one for provincial civic
them to this end. Indeed, no Church can afford to authorities. To apply these words directly, may it
turn aside from this burning question of modern not be asked is it not possible that one of several
religious life; least of all can the National Church, accomplished organists now resident in Leeds is the
so fully alive to the importance of so many religious right man for the position of city organist ? Surely
andsocial movements, consistentlyor safely overlook in the wealth of artistic skill happily now the
a matter which may be described, without exaggera- possession of this country, the Leeds Corporation
tion, as aSecting the spiritual minds of all church need not travel far to ISnd a ; fit and proper person "
going people. to undertake the office of organist at their magnificent
A prominent possible musical feature of the forth- Town Hall.
coming congress in London of the Incorporated Year by year the question of town organists ex-
Society of Musicians is a proposed performance of changing duty during the summer holidays comes to
Tallis's Motet in forty parts, under the direction of the front, but apparently with no greatly increased
Dr. A. H. Mann, who edited the modern edition hopes of practical solution. In truth, there are
issued a few years ago by Messrs. Weekes and Co. serious difficulties in the exchange of such onerous
Should the performance take place, and of this there duties as those of church organists, involving
can be little doubt in view of Dr. Mannss enthusiasm different methods and readings of the service music
and energy, the persos?nel of the combined choirs will and strange organs to be manipulated. Our American
probably be as interesting as was the case upon cousins appear to be more fortunately placed in this
the revlval of this work under the baton of John regard and many of the younger organists visit
Hullah many years ago, when the Rev. Sir Fredk. Paris and other Continental cities in quest of artistic,
Ouseley sang the frst alto part in one of the not to add linguistic experience, and rightly to widen
choirs, and Henry Leslie, and quite a host of other out their knowledge of the world, for travelling by

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 THE MUSICAL TIMES. NOVEMBER I, I897.
the American is wisely regarnled as a second educa- '
tion. A large number of these young organists End
their way to London on their way home, in order to z
add to their artistic experience by intercourse with
some of our best known metropolitan organ-players.
Much is it to be regretted that our young English
church organists cannot apparently secure more ^
complete ahd valuable holiday experiences of a similar h
kind.
The Plymouth County Council recently decided
not to allow Sunday afternoon organ recitals in the
local Guildhall; an unfortunate and short-sighted
decision, to be reversed, doubtless, as time goes on.
In the course of the debate on this matter, Mr.
John Hele, the esteemed organist of the Plymouth
Guildhall, observed that " all good music is sacred ";
words which should always be kept in mind in con-
nection with this subject.
There is a story of a Bishop who expressed this
opinion in the words: " the note C is the same both
in and out of church." In the abstract this is true
all the same, good music may be soiled by unworthy
words or worldly use and association . Even organists
seem a little in danger of forgetting this sub-contrary
proposition, by introducing not only into the pro-
grammes of Sunday afternoon recitals, but by
bringing into church specimens of operatic music
in some cases surrounded with unworthy associa-
tions, and technically unfitted for the organ key-
board. The selection of music for instrumental
use in our concert halls and, one is compelled to add
in view of many advanced recital schemes in our
churches, demands earnest attention. After making
liberal concessions as regards the selection of music
of various styles for Sunday use, there is wisdom in
reserving some judgment as to appropriateness in
this, as in all things.
1hrough the kindness of a correspondent, we are
favoured with some particulars of the " organ-
concerts" given by Herr Hans Fahrmann in St.
John's Church, Dresden. These are divided into
cycles. After giving several series consisting of the
works of Bach, Mendelssohn, Merkel, and Rhein-
berger, and one course of historical concerts, Herr
Fahrmann commenced in I890 a series of German
and French organ music, and is now dealing with the
German and English schools. His programme for the
4th ult. included Mr. John E. West's musicianly and
effective Organ Sonata in D minor and Dr. W. H
Sangster's admirable Fantasia (Toccata) in E minor
In an interesting programme-preface Herr Fahrmann
refers to our excellent, varied, and extensive modern
English school of music for organ, chamber-organ,
and harmonium in appreciative terms. He names
S. S. Wesley, W. T. Best, George Garrett, W. G.
Wood, W. H. Sangster, among composers, with a
special reference to the younger writers, John E. West
Battison Haynes, and the American composer
NA1 Dayas.
A series of recent recitals by Dr. Bellerby, given
in Holy Trinity Church, Margate, presents interesting
programmes, including a Sonata in D minor, Faulkes
Cantilene Pastorale by the saxne composer- OSertoire
G. F. Vincent; Minuet, Bellerby, and Bestive March
Ferris Tozer. The classics were duly honoured in
Dr. Bellerby's selections. The list of pieces played
at Dr. G. H. Smith's recital at Sculcoates Parish
Church, on the gth ult., included Canzona, King Hall
and Guilmant's Sonata arrangement of his Symphony
for organ and orchestra.
At the opening of the new organ by Messrs.
Richardson and Son, of Manchester, at St. Julian's
Benniworth, on the I4th ult., two recitals were given
by Mr. C. W. Godson, of Cleethorpes, Grimsby.
The programmes included Handel's so-called
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745
" Nightingale " Concerto, the first movement of
which, with its bird imitations, it has been thought
might have given a suggestion to Beethoven for his
Pastoral Symphony had he known the older master's
work; Lemmens's somewhat hackneyed " Storm "
Fantasia, and Bach's St. Ann's Fugue, one of
the most glorious pieces of fugal counterpoint in
existence
The great instrument in St. George's Hall, Liver-
pool, heard to such adlrantage through the skilful
manipulation of Dr. Peace, is undergoing alterations
under the builders' hands. It will be re-opened in
about two months.
The Ene new four-manual organ built by Mr.
August Gern for the Church of St. John the Baptist
Kensington, will be opened by Sir Walter Parratt, on
the I7th inst., an event of interest to the lovers of
organ music.
The recent programmes of M. Auguste Wiegand,
of the Sydney (N.S.W.) Town Hall, do honour to
that gentleman's energy and determination to popu-
larise organ music in the busy Antipodean city.
BIRMINGHAM MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
(BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)
CERTAINLY the wealth of the Midland capital does not
decrease, nor is there any abatement of the old will to
spend it liberally in a good cause. Wherefore the Festival
of I897 stood forth as well furnished unto all good works as
the best of its predecessors. Soloists, orchestra, chorus, all
were there, as excellent as money could buy, and qualified
to make ordinary assurance of success more than doubly
sure, but for the tendency of man's best laid schemes to
disappoint him. See here the names of the principal
singers: Albani, Anna Williams, Evangeline Florence
Marie Brema, Hilda Foster, Ada Crossley, George May
Edward Lloyd, Ben Davies, Andrew Black, Plunket
Greene, and Bispham. A goodly company, a better
than which is hardly to be found under present circum-
stances. The band included forty violins, equally divided
into firsts and seconds, sixteen violas, sixteen violoncellos
and fourteen double-basses-in all a force of eighty-six
" strings." The ' wind " numbered thirty-two, and the
percussion, &c., eight; the grand total being I26. The
chorus, on its part, included some 350 performers, who
had long been in the training hands of Dr. Swinnerton
Heap. Taking into account the dimensions and quality
of this executive force, and the careful preparation given
to it by such a conductor as Hans Richter, the festival
authorities were entitled to feel themselves armed at all
points against failure through neglect, and liable only to
the accidents which proverbially will happen under the
best regulated conditions. Financial disaster of course
never entered into their calculations even as a remote
contingency. It may be rather that tLe committee hoped
for more tlaan the £5,°°° which was handed over to the
General Hospital as the sum of donations and the balance
of profit.
It boots not to tell here of rehearsals for the work
of the four days, the sth, 6th 7th, and 8th ult.
Birmingham funds permitted then; to be sufficient in
number; Dr. Richter answered for the re£t, and when
the festival opened with " Elijah," before an audience
which left not a single seat vacant, the outlook appeared
as bright as the glorious blue sky that smiled down
upon the gathering. That it looked more roseate than
it proved to be was nobody's fault in particular
though to my mind those who were responsible for
lowering the pitch, and thereby not the pitch alone, may
take to themselves a disquieting share of responsibility.
They dulled ;'Elijah" to begin with, hampered some of
the soloists, and did not leave even the chorus unharmed.
Turning to the programme, I have to indicate three new
works upon which the committee relied to sustain their
reputation for enterprise. Of these, one turned out a
positive success; another made a more moderate, though
still a favourable impression; while the third was, on