The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-10-21
An organ Recital.


Few towns OF the same size is rs well sup
piled with pipe organs as Westminster. Each
of her six large churches possesses one OF
these beautiful instruments. and 1t would be
inferred from this that her people are n music
loving people, and specially appreciative oil
this, which is in some sense the highest amt
most soul stirring form of music. The an :
nouncement that Miss Lewis, an artist who
has but recently come amongst us, would give
recital on the Methodist Protestant Church
organ OH the evening of the 18th, TO which
the public was cordially invited, was received
with great pleasure. But the violent storm
of the evening of the 18th prevented the
recital from coming off at the appointed time
and it was postponed until the evening OF the
10Th. A large audience, representing the
various congregations of the town, was in
waiting when the President of the College
introduced Miss Lewis.
The program was begun with n Triumphai
March, by Dudley Buck Its brilliant intro
ductory measures demanded the full force OF
both organs the great and the swell, and
required complete mastery OF the instrument.
So happily did the organist meet this require.
ment, she won at once the confidence and
favor of her audience. Few persons realize
that the pipe organ presents more difficulties
than any other instrument, the chief difficulty
arising from the number of things to be
thought of simultaneously. 10 take the bass
with the pedals, the air with one hand the
variations with another, TO manage the con.
tinua change of stops, swells, aud coupiers,
and at the same time to SO keep IN mind the
spirit of the composition as to be able to
deliver the musical creation work OF art
freed from all suggestions of its mechanical
and mental difficulties, is by no means an
easy task Miss Lewis management of the
organ in this first number was in itself an
assurance Of success for the whole program.
The knlidE ''Pastorale" was in strong
contrast to the selection it followed, and one
wondered that the voice that had been giving
forth such volumes of sound could speak III
such dulcimer tones. IL was as soft and sweet
us u zephyr from the Autumn fields and wood
lands of which it was so suggestive. After
an Offertore in Eb, by Wely, came what was
generally considered the finest number ofthe
evening-selections from William Tell,
(ROSsini Buck The fact that these airs
were more or less familiar made them all the
more gladly heard-singing through the peal
ing strains and innumerable harmonies OF the
organ. Dignity of treatment that great
requisite of organ playing, characterized this
number throughout, and that same good
Judgment in the combination OF stops which
is so essential in the simultaneous use OF the
two manuals to distinguish one from the
other, and yet make no glaring contrast,
which is "a feature in Miss Lewis work, was
very noticeable here.
The program was closed with variations IN
A, by Hesse. The variations afforded a
good opportunity for the use of the solo stops,
and the theme was carried out beautifully in
each. To vary the program Miss Lewis in
terspersed in itthree vocal selections: Eye
Hath Not Seem from Gauls Holy City;
Zone Sweetly Solemn Thought" and Saw.
our, On Life's Troubled Sea- and it would
be hard to make combination of three more
beautiful pieces. Those who had heard Miss
Lewis rich contralto voice at the opening
recital at the College were glad to hear hei
in these sacred selections, and to all her sing
ing gave much pleasure. Very grateful should
music lovers be for the eevating and refining
influences and inspiration of such an hour as
| Miss Lewis afforded them.