The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-15
BIG ORGAN DEDICATED.
The New Instrument at the
State University,
Heard For the First Time
Opening Programme.
Largest Organ in Kansas Purchased
at a Cost of $3,OOO-Has 1873
Keys and 1880 Pipes.

Lawrence, Jan. 15.-University. hall
was well filled last night with cuItur
ed audience to hear for the first time
the new pipe organ which now adorns
the eastern or front end of the hall.
The organ is really very beautiful, the
pipes being artistically arranged and
handsomely decorated in delicate tints,
which harmonic well with the general
decorations of the hall. The cabinet
work is of American oak, Quartered and
finished in antique style.
The console or keyboard is movable
and was placed down in front of the
stage about 20 feet from the organ. Be
tween this and the organ were two con-
cert grand pianos, so that all perform
erS could see each other while playing,
which would have been impossible with
the regular stationary keyboard.
The organ cost So 600 and is the finest
in the state of Kansas.
The console is attached to the or
gan by means of a cable one inch in
diameter and so feet in length, con-
tanning 800 electric wires, one for each
of the 1873 keys of the three manuals
(key bOards), and for the two tremOlos,
two each for the 80 pedals and Y stops,
three for opening and closing the swell
shutters, ten for the return current, and
Is extra wires 1t also has 1850 pipes.
The programme rendered was care
fully selected from the best German,
English, French and American compos-
ers, testing the skill of the performer
as we'll as the resources of the instru-
ment.
Mr.. Penny's opening numer, the
''Toccata and F'ugue,' in D minor, by
Bach, particularly revealed the re-
markable accuracy and Hghtness of the
electrO-pneumatic action which makes
organ playing a pleasure to one who
has acquired the proper finger tech
nique.
The second number played by Mr.
Penny was the "Fantasie Triumphale,'
hxr Nm in the C0mDO-
sition every possible effect of the or
gan was brought out in the highest ar
tistic manner.
Following this, the we'll known plan
list and composer, Mr.. Carl Preyer,
played "Liszts Concerto" in d Hat
with Miss Martha L. Wilson at the
second piano, and Mr.. Penny at the
organ. The great beauty of this COM
position and the exceptional skill of the
performers brought forth a terrific ap-
plause from the vast audience, and the
soloist, Mr.. Preyer, responded with one
of his own delicate dream-llNe produc-
tions which pleased immensely.
The organ numbers rendered by Mr.
Hopkins and Mr. Marvin were splendid
specimens of the best composers, AID
were well played, particularly Mr.
Marvin's "At Evening" by Dudley
Buck.
The vocaltsts, Mr. Stevens, Mr.. Rog-
erS and Mrs. Dunlap, sang well; in fact
the entertainments was eXcellentIy rem
dered.
After the third variation of the clos
ing number, America" the entire au-
dience arose and sang the grand old
hymn until the very foundation of the
building seemed TO tremble.
The programme in full was:
/ Toccata and Fugue, D minor Bach
2. Fantasia Triumphale .-......Du Bots
Mr.. Penny.
g. Concerto, B fiat ................ List
Mr.. Preyer.
Second piano, Miss Wilson; organ, MI.
Penny.
f. La Banc de Pierre .Gounod
Mr.. Stevens.
5. Prelude 49,. B 7s7.s,e
Postlude. A minor, Merkels Silcher
Mr.. Hopkins
6. If With All Your Hearts ..-..-.-..:
- ........ .MendelssOhn
Mr.. Rogers.
Z. At Evening -DqdIey ,4 luck
Serenade --------.-.- - M w AuOt
March in C .................. Smart
Mr.. Marvin.
8. Fear Not Ye, o, Israel -.--...- BUCK
Mrs. Dunlap.
9. Sonata, c minor ....-.- --..Gu1lmant
Mr.. Penny