Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-12-01


This organ publicly and grs;uiteusly exhibit
ed on Friday evening last, when the church was
crowded to its almost EXTENT long before the doors
we're open, crowds presented themselves for admis-
sion and AN hour before the performance commenced
the building was literally crammed.
Precisely as the clock struck 7,.hc first tones OF
this magnificent instrument burst upon the in
voluntary by DR.. Hodges, in which he introduced
quite a novel feature; we allude 10 the striking and
close re Sc m bancc to storm, in which the roaring
of the thunder the bowling ef the wind were exactly
and beautifully portrayed. This so completely and
une xpe ctedly oonvulsed the audience that IL
some tine before they could convince themselves
that II proceeded from the organ, so complete
the illusion. Then followed an anthem OF Dr. Hodges,
" In the beginning was the wcrd; and wo have no
he station in say that this will become lasting
favorite in oar ehurches and in sacred concerts;
mex, was solo, sung by Mr. { r. Horr, from Haydn,
Uark what tell to thee" which was sung IN
tina gentleman usually excellent manner This il
considered by many, one Of Haydn's choicest com.
positions. Here there was short pause, which was
breken by "a curious old gentleman popping his
he ad through the curtain and announcing 10 the
dience the neD-arrival Of Dir Letter, who lac said
was unable to make his way through the dense
which cougregated around the doors and ex
tending even a. far west as the iron gates.
Then followed the part Of service by Orlando
Gibbons. an an cient Cathedral CON poser; this was
very complicated piece, and IL struck us being
vcrv scientific, and witbal rather heavy.
Mr.. Letter, who had now succeeded in gaining a6-
mttsnce sung that beautiful recitatiye and sso by
Handel, Behold i show you a mystery" "The
Irump pet shall sound" and here Mr. L. certainly
shone with grace and chaste execution that delight
ed all his hearers. Ia sacred music he most exces
and had he cosined himself TO this doubt but
he would have been more popular. Mrs. Strong sung
the infant. Prayer most chsrmingly. This lady hs.
a very fine voice and deserves richly the success
which she has met with; she IL general favoritc
DR. Creene's anthem, "God 10 our hope and
strength" was beautifully performed. The duett
between the tenor and counter tenor was very well
sung. The accompaniment in this duet was excel.
lent.
Pat we think the gem Of the evening was Per-
| roIes's, "Lord have mercy upon me-" as sung by
Mr.. Letter; this and the concluding anthem bore
away the palm The solo, elf the Lord had hol
| helped me-" is a splendid compositlon, and very
characteristic Of the words; the music alone would
almost speak the words. Mr.. Horn srng IL adnira-
bly,. OF the the concluding anthem il is hardly ne.
cessary for 20 speak the imitation Of the different
instruments mentioned in the $50 p's was perfect,
and this organ decidedly well produced effects un.
der the mastery touch OF DIR. Hodges in which ex.
preston and refined taste, added to a sci, nti6c
knowledge ri music Of the highest order, can rarely
be Witnessed in this country. And in closing the
remarks Is but justice to assert that the perform
Of DR. Hodges, especially that Of his own beau.
| tifGl compositions, fraught with the most ex.
qusitc taste, feeling, and spending
In the srictest sense with the character and sent
| ments Of the author and emitting him to that need
| of praise which should be ever accorded TO genius
| AMI that unqualified estimation, whshtke best quail
ties Of the heart cannot fail TO ensure. The whols
| performance was a p,usical treat and a spiritual
feast to those who could appreciate H. and cains
at Ia ast the thanks Of the community, TO DR. Hodge
for his zeal and cxertions to promote taste and In.
| terest for devotional harmony.