New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-01-02
~ CONT ..,r r. CHASE. REV. B. G. c. PARKER,
kb' D." REV j. X. STEWARD.
Hints On Orgap-l'laying.


Hints on Organ-Plnying.
NJ, Editor. ! propose, with your pefmissioh'
,ols, heeore ,our readers few ideas on the per
;o,msnce Of Church Music andifthey should meet
vim general spprobat,on may be induced tocon'
,inue the subject at some future Tune Inc "s''
and abuses OF that nobest oiinsiruments the organ
xll he the subject Of this communication. frelu-
see Is now fast disappearing in this enlightened
80. AGAINST the use OF organs in our churches, al
.hoosh ,b.re are yet many who oppose It's use, but
,,bo allow in its stead to be introduced viollns
,umbOnes flutes and other paraphernalia OF the
theatre and ballroom.
There is but one purpose for which the Organ
can he used-it is for Sacred Music. IL was first
used in the worship Of our Creator and to HIS ser
vice has il ever since been dedicated. am aware
however in most cases these prejudlces ARISE from
its misuse or IL Their abuse IN playing am no'
capable criticslng forming standard TO De loi
lowed in church org playing but have some
IDEAS which should ike to know II they colnclde
with general public opinion. Now do not wish
70 accuse Organists OF vanity or want oil Judgment
bat fear that in many the love OF showing their
abilities and the instrument, makes them forget the
nature Of the service they are performing nave
seen with much regret style Introduced In accom-
pirate to our chors and style OF singing mean
the heavy cathedral style Our chOirs are mostly
quartette and is really painful 10 hear them over.
powered with an organ sufficient for fifty singers.
Still snch. am sorry 10 say, is last becoming the
prevailing style w hear InezzO poososes &C.
oompanied with all the diapasons and subbass,
while in the one passages the principal and even
the twelfth and fifteenth are added Now let any
sensible organist think for moment OF the effect
upon the audience. They expect 70 hear voices
and words bat are disappointed with an astounding
pose that hides both Is II unnatural under such
circumstances that they should dcolaim against the
Organ. and say they disapprove Of the Organ alone
psnoming that beautiful part OF the divine wof-
shlp which was intended for human voices No
oae however preludiced. could object 10 an Organ
atoosapon,nsnt provided IT IS an accompaniment
Have heard some players whose views conceded
with mine on this subject They thought that the
dlspasons were sufficient for the loudest passages
in qaarctte choir. knowing that nothing serves
70 hide soprano so much as an octave stop. They
moreover did not use the sub bass constantly, as
abass voice no matter how powerful, is entirely
covered with the continual thunder IN the ears OF
the audience. attended church up town a short
time since where the organist | understood, was
continually complaining OF the weakness and IN
capacity Of his instrument The choir was quar-
u,ie With beautiful soprano, and tho other parts
wei sustained. When the chant commenced |
supposed they had but two trebles az could hear
nothing but those voices with heavy sub-bass and
TIE diapasons and principal But after waiting
patiently discovered symptoms of Bass, and I'M
asined there might be Tenor but as 10 forming
he slightest conception OF the words they were
singing the shirs was impossible. Now this IS
decidedly wrong. Ii wrongs the service and the
CHOIR II Organists would play light organs with
ial hsrmonies so that the choir would have toun-
dation to sustain rather than noise to lead them
they would give much more general satliaction 20
TIE audience and choirs.
One Of the worst effects OF this boisterous style OF
Playing is upon the voices and lntonation OF the
saser The noise deafens them so that each one
sgeans to hear him herself without regard to the
rest consequently they sing harsh and out OF tune
nor is impossible for choir 20 sing together and IN
tune without each one hearing all the rest of the
parts. Organsts DESTROYS of exhibiting their abil-
tiles have ample opportunities in the voluntaries
and in.crludes, &c. without deprving the voices OF
their share in the worship. Nothing is more beau
tiul than well balanced choir OF four voices, and
where such chOis exist il is cruel and wrong in
orssnists to deprive the audience of the pleasure
Of hearing. My position may be false, but it seems
10 me that common sense Will sustain IL whatever
may be advanced against 1t Professionally Begging
thst Organists will bear these few suggestions in
mad or their interest only. | respectfully sub
mt 10 their criticisms HARNoNY.
HORRlD MURDER IL PoTTsvILLE PA-From the
Philadelphia North American OF yesterday gather
ne following particulars In June last Welchmsn
named John Recse was accused Of the murder of an
hishman Thomas Coohan but acquitted at the last
tin OF the Scauylkll County Court The long incsr-
sefs'on Of Reese extending six months or other
sae'os lad produced alienation Of mind and his
nssnds placed him in the Hospital, whence he
On Wednesday. he WAS in the oacs of his counsel on
ne tisi Palmer, ESQ and there exhibited unques
M, esaenses o. insanity He let the Office and
suh' nome 70 me Delaware mines and was before his
touse removing his goods TO 20 10 a farm when some
az sppfosehed hun from behind and discharged gun.
Vol throosh his head end immediately After drove
-ns fek INTO and thftagh his skull Who the ruffan
rf1s'ot was u not yet known, bot threats Of ven.
aa'e been thrown out by Collshsns friends ever
neses aequitta aud there is little doubt that the
s,na aecd hsceable to this feeling The greatest
Ssnsnt prevails In fottsVse, and the citizens are
ns every exerron 10 discover the guilty
,nosAsrIc.-The Pits5vryh Journal relates the
nv. Incident during the stay OF the Philadelphia
49, 49, q oar cuy, apcTs0n OF very youthful appear
f'sssh'ed himself TO the officer Of one OF the com
X r,s.s onsfsd 70 enlist The extreme delicacy o.
sHsnee however induced the Captain 10 decline
ssS nrn eens.derns that the small white hands
saea'e ieei Of the would be soldier would have bu;
ksx n.,rA.e 70 carrying shesvy muske. AMI making
ss<snSenss The perka<city with which The recyu,i
- on being enlisied did not avail Although II s.Vs
In opportunity Of frequently visiting the barracks
sss, As. before the departure Of the troop how
80 cad ihe absent soldier hpe youp, ec' -, ~
NJ, -, Iosno Iae formers absence was im,pedl
As s,s, 70 sscertsin and nothing was though, OF
go his regiment lie was seen 70 "a ,., s sss
Aae MAJ a enaer farewell with very pretty rri on
ksse. :, an ne called his wife bearing strkinz rese
sisa i'm ssossea recruit The equvccslindi
In, aisfwsrd returned to Philadelphia
~ pa.. LAST DAY IN rsr YsAR--Look b.cL a.,
vke ks~. nod nod . reckoning with Time Forgive those
nA A. you. Dismiss prejudice. from yonr
spsssetos. sSes scrutiny resolve to correct your
sssegd' ~ y .."a tas errors Of your pas, life