The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-06
MUSIC'S SOUL TRULY HIS
MONS. ALEX GUILMANT ENTRANCES
A LARGE AUDIENCE
ohder Ills Masterful Touch the Great
organ at the Peoples Church
breathes HarmOnies Defying
Flattery, DisarIning Critics and
Inspiring All.

For more thantwo hours an audience
OF at least 100 people remained under
the spell of Gutlmant at the Peoples
churcn last night. The magnificent or
gan with which this church is equipped
never spoke So eloquently before A
wealth. or music such as no one ever
imagined 1t contained was revealed I'M
ger the magic touch of master.
FOR Guflman3i is a master.
Perhaps the most convincing testi-
mony OF his greatness is the fact THAI
the audience never once manifested
the silghtest symptom of uneasiness
throughout programme of twelve
NUMBERS and more, all contributed by
thls one artist, with the briefest Of in
lernllsslons. On the contrary, the ut
most quiet prevailed-that stiffness
which inevitably characterizes an as.
semplage completely absorbed in the
admiration of something good and
beautiful. And surely Guilmant.s
music is good and beautiful
Gu1lmant Is a genius. That is un-
oenlaple. No mere mastery of the
technique Of the organ nor ingenuity
In effecting rare combinations will
alone suffice to bring forth such ex-
preeslve, such sweet, such impressive
tones as Guilmant makes the organ
utter. The soul of music possesses this
man completely. When he sits at the
organ, that soul is revealed. To be
sure Gu1lmant's technique is perfect,
his touch powerful and firm or light
and delicate as suits the theme When
he calls upon the organ for a grand
peal OF music, it responds with a mag
innocent outburst; perhaps it is
cradle song, and the last faint note
dies away In the distance, and so grad
TALLY that one can hardly say when the
sound ceases
When Guilmant appeared in the Or
gan loft last evening the audience be-
held man somewhat under the me-
dunn height, with luxuriant white hair
and gray beard of moderate length
Gullmant was attired in black and
wore frock coat The illustrious or
gandSt acknowledged the greeting of
MS audience with two quickly eXecut-
ed BOWS, and at once took his seat on
the bench facing the three banks of
Keys. Without more ado, he adjusted
the stops, spoke a word or two to Prof
Oberhoffer who turned the music, and
tFen placed his hands on the KEYS.
The peal of harmony that resounded
throughout the auditorium was unlike
any that had ever before been heard
in the Peoples church. The distinguish
ing characteristic was the rich and
all-pervading quality of the music The
opening number was Bach's Prelude
and Fugue in E fiat
Berceuse," a sweet lullaby, by TIL
Salome, followed. 1t served to reveal
Claimants exquisite delicacy of ex-
preston, and his absolute command
over the organ. Such effective pianis-
si1nos are enhancing. So prolonged
was the applause that greeted this
number that the organist repeated it.
Then came the "Marche Pontificale"
by F. de Ia Tombelle, which was sue
Ceeded by the "Andante Cantabile,"
from Widor's Fourth Symphony The
latter composition is a soft, dreamy
mGsing theme sad, gentle and fanciful,
in turn. Only great artist could have
impaired to it such expression.
Guflmant selected for his next effort
bis own sonata in B minor, divided
into three movements-the allegro
Con Fuoco," Meditation and "Fugue
and Adogto." The allegro was played
with the liveliest4 spirit, the ''Medita-
ton was interpreted with a mild and
healing sympathy" and the final
movements quite eapttvated the audi
ence, so brilliant was the execution of
the organist.
LET There Be Light (Fiat Lux, by
Dubois, proved another feature of the
programme. In response to the con-
tinued applause, Guilmant repeated the
spirited composition
After playing Chauvet's "Marche du
Saint Sacrement," a composition no.