The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-26
Their Love OF Music Led Them on q
Night Journey.
HEARD GUILMANT AT WILKES.BARpE
This City's Delegation Overlooked
the Seats Reserved for Them at
Last Nights Recital by the Famous
Oiganist in the First Methodist
Church-- -Guilmant's Playing Thrill
ed an Audience That Overtaxed the
Church's Seating Capacity.

son railroad last nlght 10 near Moi
sieur Alexander Cuilmants organ re-
cital in the First Methodist church,
Wilkes Barre The train left soon af-
ter o'clock, reaching its destination
about S o'clock.
A generous section of the gallery had
been reserved for the Scranton party
and they more than filled it, swarm
ing over steps and aisles. Every seat
in the edifCe was occupied and chairs
were placed within the chancel for the
accommodation Of patrons. Scranton
alone could have furnished 200 more
had there been room.
Rev. w. II. Pearca, d. D., pastor of
the church, announced that now since
the Scranton delegation bad arrived,
the programme could go on and that
at its close an opportunity would be
given for greeting NJ. Guilmant. who
then came to the platform accompanied
by Professor j. Alfred Pennington, or
ganist of Elm Park church, this city,
who gracefully introduced him in fit
ting terms, speaking of him as the
great organist of Trinity church, Paris,
the famous composer, u teacher in the
Paris conservatory, in itself distinc-
tion great enough for one man and
1HtNdll VI the IstSlun VI
PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
NJ. Guilmant is man of medium
stature with q beautiful head over
which thick silvery locks wave softly,
ana a face full of spirituality and
| swept by a silvery beard. But what
| shall be said of the music he evoked
from the fine new organ recently placed
| in the church by Mrs Priscilla Ben
nett. Even the unpractised ear could
recognize the touch of the master as
his hands swept the keys in the brill
| liant Toccata and Fugue in D minor
| with which the programme opened.
Most of all perhaps NJ. Guilmants
playing impresSeS the listener with it's
| majestic smoothness, the wonderful!
command of all technique and all the
| art of composition. 1t is the absence
| Of all artflce that makes the greatness
of the art, the subservience of all me-
chanical devices to expression. There
is no pedaling. and no changing of reg
istration is apparent and yet this reg
| istratiOn Is so marvellous as to surpass
| understanding.
| Perhaps no numbers gave more pleas
ure in the first part of the programme
| than the little 'In Paradisum," by
Dubois, and the exquisite rendering of
| the Andante Cantabile of Widor. The
climax was, however, the famous Fifth
Sonata by the great performer him
| self work so difficult that it is at
| tempted by few organists, and which
he gave in full with the five move
ments, including the Chorale and
| Fugue. The allegro with it's spirited
and brilliant phrasing poured it's theme
forth in wave after wave of harmony
until, as the volume swelled forth into
the finale, such an emotion was aroused
that an involuntary burst of applause
rose from the vast audience.
SCHERZO THEME.
The solemn and deep beauty of the
Adagio, with the rich 'cello-like strain
of an undertone. was played with pas
sion and intensity, which yet brought
out the restful tenderness of the theme
| to an almost inconceivable degree. In
the sprightliness of the Scherzo theme
| was the marvellous smoothness of tone
| the melting of one strain into another
| which even in the staccato passages
| left a gracious trail of harmony sell
| dom brought out on the organ. The
| Chorale and Fugue, so dignified and
stately in conception was fascinating
in Its entirely unmonotonous render
ing.
By request M. Gulmant improvised
on the theme Antioch" a verse OF
which was sung by the great audience
The brilliant exhibition of skill and
genius which followed will not soon be
forgotten by those who listened. It is
impossible to describe range of con
ception of variety and yet classic fdel
ity to art in this performance.
One of the most inspiring number.
was the Fiat Lux" of Dubois, which
was new to most of the listeners
Under the masters hand the idea
theme scared like q lark above thu
cares of life and heralded the dawr
commanded by the Infinite
The concluding number was a Marcht
Pontifcate by F. de la Tombelle, which
embodied a grandeur of style and mai
esty of expression only heard at bes
on the king of instruments.
The excellent choir of the Firs
church, composed of Miss Barnum
Miss Katherine Timberman, It. r. Viii
liams and c. w. Smith, with c. G
Goodrich the church organist as &C
companist, gave a TIE Deum by Chap
man. The quartette is a strong one
in which Miss Timherman's powerful
contralto Is heard to advantage. Th
other vocal number, a duet by Messrs
Williams and Smith, was rendered will
fine effect and received with enthusi
astic applause.
SCRANTON'S DELEGATION.
The audience left the house awe,
and hushed and uplifted by the yoic
of the organ speaking beneath a ma
gician's touch. The Scranton delega
tion expressed a unanimous feeling o
appreciation for Mr.. Pennington's eff
forts in securing such a privilege whicl
was denied at home. Much credit /
Edith Jones for faithful service in tn
enterprise of securing the advantage
of special train and low rates.
Among those who made up tn
Scranton party were Hon. and Mrs
L. A. Watres, Professor Southworth
Professor Conant, Miss Griffin. Mis-
Florence Richmond, Professor and Mrs
Tiemberger, Professor Lemaze, Mrs. L
s. Oakford Mrs. r., Il, Black, Mis-
Bardenburgh, Miss Worthington, MI
and Mrs. Whittemore, Mr.. and Mrs
4. e. Connell, Mrs. f. p. Price, MI
I and Mrs. S. T. Jones, Mr.. and Mrs
Thayer, Professor and Mrs. Haydl
, Evans, Mrs. Page, Professor l. NJ
Chance, Mrs, Hoelsett, Mrs. Surdan
Cs plain w. A. May, Miss Maud May
DR.. and Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. Penman
Mrs. G b. Scott, Miss Penman, Mrs
f, T, Vail. Mr.. and Mrs George Carr
Mr.. and Mrs, f. s. Godfrey, Mrs
Blackwood, Mr.. and Mrs. Sherwood
MIR. and Mrs G.. F. Reynolds, Mr.. an