New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-14
PLYMOUTH CHURCH MUSIC.
REPAIRS FOR THE BIG OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
FOR THE CHOIR.

FOR THE CHOIR
While Plymouth Church is closed for the summer,
extensive repairs making upon the organ, whlcn hau
become sadly In need OF them. When It has been re-
constructed and revoiced it Is expected that inc III
stqment will be good new and one OF the hhes1
church organs In the country. 1t was bullt IN looo'
nv f. g. c. g. Hook. OF Poston, who have charge OF tho
rebuilding work. At the time it was put into the
church It said srrTnss in tone mechanism ana
size any organ ever built in this country IL TOOK
"A year TO construct and erect 1t. The Instrument Is
81 feet WIDE 81 feet deep and the height from inc
bottom OF the bellows to the top OF the pipes IS Oh
feet 1t has black walnut case and the 'front.' pipes
are Of FURNISHED tin. The top Of the mont Is sur
mounted with the carved figure of chernb paving
harp The organ has four banks Of keys, sxywo Stops
and 1922 pipes The largest pipe 32 feet long, ana u
size may be Judged by this incident: When 1t was
living on the floor OF the church before 1t was put In
place Mr. Beecher took of his coat and waistcoat ana
crawlnd through It, lie Was followed by George A.
Bell and enry " WMtney, and they We're well covered
with dust when they emerged. Mr.. Heecher ut thas
time was not 20 portly he afterward became Dr.
Henry NJ Gallaher tells the story that when Dr. New
man Hall was In this country he visited Mr. Bcecher
and one day before making a trip to New-York the
three M nisers went into photograph gallery WINE
waiting to have their pictures taken, they amused
themselves. DIR. Hall PIT cane across the BACKS OK
two chairs and leaped 1t. lie was followed by
Dr. Gallaher but when Mr. Bcccher approached 1t he
made no effort to leap II, but looked down and
said: "Too much freight in 'front.'
The Plymouth organ cost $4,000, and 81 was later
spent upon the engine and four bellows engines.
Last wear electricity substituted for water In blow
ing the organ. has been repaired in part several
times. The complete veIhaung 1t Is now TO receive
will cost 90 800. The first organis who played upon
the instrument after It was put in the church was
Frederick Ferdinand Muller, who was organst OF the
church from $50 1868 lie gave a series Of organ
concerts when the instrument first put In the
church. Mr. Muller was succeeded as organist by John
Zundel who had been organist Of the church previ-
ous.y and had twice retired. After his last engage
ment he remained until he made organst emeritus
and returned to Germany. his native land, where no
died. Among the other organsts OF the church nave
been Walter Dsmrosch. Robert Thalon s. b. Mm'e .S
and Professor Charles r. !forse. who now mas the
place He went 20 Brooklyn from Minneapolis, whero
he conducted conservatory Of music. He was AZ one
time professor Of music IN wellesley CVnege' IN .ho
KEY board moved forward 80 that he can CONDUCT tns
singing to better while playing the organ.
quarter OF century ago the first quartet choir was
engaged. Henry Camp took charge Of the music IN
SOS and sang bass with Miss Emma Thursby soprano.
Miss Matilda Toedt. contrao, and e. Rokweii, ienur
chorus Of seventy five also introduced and has
since been feature Of the music Of the church The
quartet under Professor Morse consists OF Miss Alce
Herbert Jcirty. tenor. and Frederick Gillette bass
and there chorus Of thirty. With the organ made
new, higher standard OF music be maintained
than has heretofore been possible;
IL Is hoped 10 have the new edition n Plymouth
IIymnal" ready oruSe the coming year. Or: Lyman
Abbott editing the hymns and Professor Morse tho
music. All the best HYMNS of the old book, compiled
by Mr.. Reechcr. will be retained, and many ones
will be added including poems by Whittier and Others
which have not heretofore been set to music. Both
Dr. Abbott and Professor Morse will devote the greater
part Of the summer TO the work.