Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-06

An Instrument Ordered for the Allegheny
Music HalI-An Opportunity for Organ
RecitnIs-Innuguratingf the Hall speci-
fcntions of the Instrument.
All who CHANGED to read in this column
last week the earnest plea for a complete
and well-balanced organ to be built in Car
negie Music Hall, Allegheny, will compre-
hend with what pleasure it Is now an
nounced that the contract for just such an
instrument was let last Thursday to
the Roosevelt firm, this country's fore
most builders. By securing an extension of
time upon another large instrument, the firm
is able to contract to have this organ finished
by January 4, the previous inability to do which
was the only thing thatprevented the deal from
being made some weeks ago.
Mr.. Elbert, the representative who figured Tor
the contract, declares himself to be delighted
with the conditions afforded BY the new ball for
building an organ that shall be in the highest
degree effective both to ear and to eye. The
blank wall behind the stage was so left with
this object in view; and the organ will not only
complete the architectural effect of the hall,
but will also have absolutely no impediments in
the way of tonal perfection. Such conditions
are rarely provided for the builder.
Carnegie Hall, by the way, is in all particu-
lars, a remarkably well-planned auditorium.
Its dimensions are SO feet wide by lis feet long
in the clear, and 80 feet from floor to apex Of
the arched ceiling. On the main floor 76S per-
sons will be accommodated in permanent seats
of unusual width-over 10 inches-and with
plenty of room between the rows.
The galleries running around three
sides entend the audience capacity to /, 100
seats The stage, which is in three tiers or
steps, has total area of about 23x48 feet, capa-
BILE of accommodating with the organ occupy
ing most of the highest platform) over 200 per-
formers. The location on the ground floor, the
extraordinary number of exits. the convenient
appointments of dressing rooms, stage doors,
etc.. are among the many points that rebound
to the credit Of the builders.
ssx
The organ specified will stand upon plat
form feet 8 inches above the main floor, and
will have these asits greatest dimensions: AZ
feet wide. 81 feet high and III feet deep tnot in
cluding keyboard and bench). Its case is to be
of oak, the finish and pipe decorations to be
elaborate and harmonious with the whole
interior of the hall. No decision has yet been
made as between water and electricity as the
motive power for the bellows,
1t is expected that in the inaugural cere-
monies of the library and hall that one distinct
session, afternoon or evening, will be wholly
devoted to an organ recital-an eminently
proper way of emphasizing the Importance of
its first complete organ in public place avail
able for recital and general concert use. That
occasion will be new birth of the whole de-
partment of organ music in our midst, a depart
ment than which-as pointed out last week-no
other is in greater need of reformation. The
full specifications for this important instru-
ment are as follows:
Three Manuals-Compass &C to as, IS notes.
Pedals-Compass cCc to F, 30 notes.