Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-02
THE CARNEGIE ORGAN
A Description Of the Beautiful Instru-
ment in the Music Hall.
IT HARMONIzEs WITH ITS HOME.
The Very Newest Ideas in Organ Building
Embraced in the Plan.
TIE DONORS BELIEFS EMBODIED

With the aid and by the courtesy of Mr..
". ]. Davis, Superintendent of the Phila-
delphia branch of the Roosevelt Organ Com
pany, representative Of THE DISPATCH
was accorded view yesterday of the ex-
quisite pipe organ placed in Carnegie Music
Hall by the generosity of Andrew Carnegie.
Mr.. Davis reached Pittsburg within a day
fresh from the triumphs scored at the Chi
cago Auditorium by the S66, 900 instrument.
An organ Of such size, however, would be
an elephant in Carnegie Hall.
Mr.. Carnegie maintained in an interview
! recently published in The DISPATCH that
the day of the behemoth organ wasspassing
away, and that the utmost requirements of
recital and chamber music would be sub
served by smaller, but thoroughly complete,
instruments whose chastened and refined
voicing would be calculated to please and
crafty the ear instead of overwhelming the
senses. With this unquestionably accepted
and indorsed view in mind Mr.. Carnegie
told Mr. James B. Scott, who, IN the entire
conduct Of the Free Library scheme, has
been Mr.. Carnegie's almoner, alter ego,
that an appropriate organ was,
while an afterthought, very necessary
matter to complete the interior of the Music
Hail. especially as no stage of the scenic
variety had ever been in contemplation.
One can see in the whole Free Library
and Music Hall evidences of an almost
loving attention to details and the elabora-
lions that artistic taste seem TO demand, out
side of mere mechanical fidelity to the
architectural plans. So it would go without
saving that the kindly magician whose
means are being so lavishly expended in
the creation of a beautiful entity, would
prescribe no limitation as to size or expense,
only stipulating that the organ should
"harmonize" with the hall. This little bit
of Scotch humor has been the leading feat
ure in the plans as followed out to a sue
cessful conclusion.
Mr.. G. q. MELLoR CALLED IN.
Now Mr.. Scott doesn't claim to be
specialist upon musical matters, and he pre-
ferred securing the benefit of expert advice
upon such an important subject. By his
experience in the matter of the preparation
of specifications and his own pre-eminent
expertness in the handling of instruments,
no better choice was possible than that of
Mr.. C. G. Mellor, the foremost organist of
the city.
Mr. Mellor was asked by Mr.. Scott to take
entire charge of the details of the instru-
ment, and to decide upon the builder, the
style of the case, and what one might de-
nominate 'fthe internal economy" of the in
strument. Mr.. Mellor replied that he would
do so with pleasure, and Immediately fell to
work The Roosevelt Organ Company was
pitched upon as the maker who would be
most likely to enter into the spirit Of the
whole enterprise. Some correspondence
was INDUCED in, and a specification was
submitted to Mr.. Mellor for approval. It
was not materially different from the organ
in the East Liberty Presbyterian Church,
erected by the same firm.
There was considerable revision, however,
as to character and disposition of the stops,
and especially in regard to voicing. As the |
hall was not large, it was required of the
builders that the various stops be toned !
down. with view to producing music and
not noise. It sometimes happens that organs |
are so voiced as to make q great volume of
sound, which, when separated, may be |
found more emphatic than beautiful. In |
the matter of mechanical accessories extra |
requirements were made; and in regard to |
the case special stress was laid upon con- |
formity to the peculiar position occupied by |
the organ and the physical aspect to be OBJ |
tanned in decorations and design.
THE SPECIFICATION.
The specification of the organ. as amended |
and completed, is as follows:
Great Organ.