The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-01-30

former instrument was, par excellence,
the favorite stringed instrument of the
ancient Greeks and Romans. 1t was
somewhat of an elongated shape, and
had seven strings the latter was at
first. probably. a simple pipe or reed
with holes, and blown with the mouth.
This was the character, it is said. of
David's organ, and it is remarkable that
these two instruments are generally
mentioned together. The Tyre gave
birth to the cithern, harp, psaltery.
chorus, nahum, lutte and many others
of the same class the names of some
of them, however, have been altered
and confused. We must not suppose
that all the modern instruments are
identical with the modern ones Of the
same name; for instance, our present
dulcimer is a stringed instrument, while
that mentioned in Scripture was wind
instrument formed of two pipes with a
bag. somewhat resembling the more
modern bagpipes nor must it be sup
posed that the organ heretofore spoken
Of as "David's organ" was ANYTHING like
the noble instrument now bearing that
name, of which | will speak later on.
The word . organum" originally meant
an instrument of any kind that required
a certain amount of skill from the per-
son using it, in contradistinction to ma
china, which implied the use of brute
force only. Hence the former expression
was very early applied to all kinds of
musical instruments, and it is only in
later times that it has been so exclusively
used to designate the organ. The most
of US have seen an instrument consisting
of eight reeds or tubes, varying in length.
tied together and blown by the mouth
1t is used very vigorously at shows.
This instrument is similar, if not iden-
teal, with that used among the ancient
Greeks, who attributed its invention to
Pan. the sylvan god I; accordingly he was
usually figured playing on this instru-
ment. From this simple yet primitive set
of Pans pipes, however, may be traced
the true origin of the organ, which was
introduced into churches in general
about A. D. $40. For long time after
this date the structures were rude in
form and coarse in tone; but when
building multiplied and increased in
magnificence, so i'll a less degree, and
following at distance, did the regular
pipe organ, from which time it has oc-
cupied pre-eminent position among
musical instruments. The key board
appears to have been invented about the
eleventh century, and was at that time
a very clumsy affair, consisting of six
teen keys only, formed of pieces of wood
some five inches broad, which the play
er smote with his fist, they being mutflec
in gloves. In the first organs the MUM
Der Of notes was from nine to eleven
The execution of the plain chant die
not require more. From the rougl
frame of pipes dsed, and the description
given of the great organ in the cathedra
at Winchester, erected Ivy Elphege, bish
op Of that see $685. 51), it is quite esi
dent that an on erwheliming noise rdthel
than any attempt at music must have
been the predominlting characteristic
/ Of the organs of those days. for we fine
/ William of Malmesbury recording tina
the voice and organs of those two
choirs at Winchester mutually confused
and interrupted each other" The histo
ny OF this organ tells us that it contained
400 pipes, had only ten keys, but twenty
six bellows, worked by seventy men
possibly not all blowing at one time
though from relics to be found in Ger
many at the present day similar prim
tive way Of supplying the wind may bt
seen. Even SO late as the thirteenth
century the stops We're not placed OF
either side of the player, but at he enc
of the slides consequently the playel
had no control over the ranks Of pipes
unless he ceased playing and vacated hi
seat to draw the slides. There being M
intermediate reservoir to equalize the
wind pressure, the only variation, deli
i cacy, or refinement of effect, was obtain
ed by the exertion of the blowers. II
361 an organ was built for Haberstad
Cathedral provided with semi-tones anC
pedal board In this country the EARL
est known builder was John Roose
brother of the Order of Preaching Friars
who repaired the organ in York Minister
1867. From this date to the rebellion
organs, small or large, had become al
most universal and in Germany, in the
sixteenth century, the whole scheme o
the modern instrument had developed
into completeness an Independent
pedal organ, including 80 feet stops
three and four manuals, and fifty stops
were common. The chief important
additions made since that date are the
swell, a few new stops and some
mechanical Improvements.
FRANCIS L. RAwsoN.
Ito be Contnued.)