Putnam patriot., 1914-10-16
Geo. H. Ryder in Coneert at Worcester


 The large organ in Mechanics Hall, Worcester, was recently cleaned tuned and revoiced by George fl. Ryder Of this city. The work occupied six weeks, every one Of the 1000 pipes be- ing removed from the organ, and thor oughly cleaned as well as the interior of the organ, an electric vacuum clean CT being used, with the result that two barrels of fine dust were removed. The pitch Of the organ was changed to that of the Boston Symphony orchestra. Mr Ryder received many compliments for the excellence of his work from the Worcester musical festival manage i ment and the members Of the Sympho- ny. On Thursday evening of last week an invitation musical was given Dy the Worcester County Mechanics Association to exhibit the organ, and a Worcester paper gave the following ae- count Of it.
 "A representative audience of seve- l raj hundred members of the Worcester county mechanics association and friends W Who attended the special mu- sieal and organ concert given in Me chanics hall, last night, went home firmly convinced that since it's recent extensive repairs the old organ is sec. ond to none in the nited States in depth of power, in sweetness and clar- fly Of tone.
 The concert was given by Mrs. Min nie l.. Sample, soprano sOioist at the First Baptist church: W W. Aldrich, baritone at the First Baptist church . Harrison C. Taylor ,viOlinist, and Wal. ter W. Farmer, organist at the First Baptist church, assisted by George Il. Ryder, organist.
 The program opened with an ad- dress by the president of the associa- ton, Hon. Alfred S. Roe, who said in part:
 aThe Worcester mechanics associa- tion, the oldest and most honorable in- stitution in the city, welcomes you all here tonight. In view of the good work which has been done in repair ing and having this highly prized in- strument put into tune, this concert is given in order that all Worcester per sons who care for it should he given an opportunity of listening to it under right conditions.
 "Ihose who heard it at the festival all declared it an organ worthy of pre- servation, and tonight you may ali have chance to judge.
 MT. Roe said the organ contains about 400O pipes and that 1t took one man six weeks to put them into place.
 Mir. Ryder played the first number, "Tempest at Sea- one Of his own com- positions, which gave the audience a splendid opportunity to judge of the breadth and variety of tone in the in. strument. The composition pictures a vessel becalmed, the passengers of which indulge in mirth and music. Nipples of laught-r are heard, then music.
 The zylophone solo is wonderfully deceptive; Il seems hardly possible that il can be reproduced so perfectly. The bagpipe solo, which follows, Is equally good This is interrupted by the rumbling of distant thunder that gradually increases until the storm breaks in full violence.
 Sudden, loud peals are heard and, during the pauses the wind k heard whistling through the spars and shrouds of the ship, and the splash and spatter of rain and hail, descend ing on the decks and into the angry waters about.
 Gradually the storm subsidies, and as the thunder grows ifaint, the voices of men and women are heard mingling with the | als of the organ in the wonderful notes of the vesper hymn in thanksgiving for their safety.
 For m encore MT Ryder played an- other of his compositions, entitled "Twilight Whispers.p