Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-11-20
ORGAN RECITAL
PLEASES MANY
Prof. Baldwin Gives Wonder
full Program at st. Stephens
Episcopal Church
BY JOHN w. PHILLIPS

/
see the large audience of interested
people at the organ recital given on
the newly remodeled Mohler organ
in st. Stephens Episcopal Church
last evening by Professor Samuel A.
| Baldwin, of New York City. About
one hundred people were obliged 20
| stand An air of quiet but deep ap-
probation prevailed throughout the
I entire recital. st. stephens Church,
whilU it is cozy and co nfortable. has
that Suinett ms about it that instiIls
INTO an audierce the sp,:it of atten-
| tive listening, and so, the program
| was heard with a quiet reverance
| that really exalted the music heard.
Inc program opened with "Finlan-
dia' by Jean Sibelius. the real foun-
der of natural Finnish school of
composition. This composition Fin
landia" SO reused the dormant patri-
| otism of Finland that the Russian
government forbade its performance
| throughout Finland. A turbulent
restlessness and revolutionary def
| ance characterize the work, yet there
is apparent a newness of outlook, a
rugged grandeur that impresses and
thrills. The Adagio of Symphony VI.
by Widor, is characteristic of the
ANhNh SSilOOi' IL 10 dll VI IOlOl VI
the quieter tints. giving charm and
poetic fancy free play.
Mr.. Baldwin did not make the mis-
take that many organists do, namely.
put the Bach number on first to get
rid of it; instead. he very properly
aud tastefully led up to it. and the
audience was therefore prepared to
enjoy it, which they did.
The most impressive number came
1. 81 L.
Richard Wa gner F'om the opening
measures to the close this introduc-
tion to the opera itself holds the
listener almost spellbound. Richard
Wagner was not afraid to express
himself boldly and as we come to
understand him we find the thought
ana the music convincingly welde0
together.
"Chanson du Soir Can Evening
Scng)" played from manuscript and
composed by Ernest II. Sheppard,
proved to be a pretty piece intro
ducing the chimes. "Oh. the Lifting
Springtime," by Charles "A Stebbins
and dedicated to Mr.. Baldwin. was
qLieter in effect than the name would
suggest. The opening movement in
ee-to u tile. was followed by a
more pastoral effect. not, however.
very ti'gmal or essentially pastoral
il color. will O. the Wisp." by G..
Is. Nevin. was effective, in coloring
and we'll conceived. with it's shim-
meripg lights and shadows and welrd
T'he Grfeg numbers have been heard
cften, SO need no comment here. The
Variations de Coacert," by Joseph
Bennett, the French organist, proved
to be a show piece for the organ and
crganist. but there is absolutely no
originality in the composition itself.
1t is not coherent to begin with, ana
so We will not waste time on it.
The group of Russian compositions
contained "Chanson Plaintive." by
| Ivan Lynersk; prelude Pastorale,"
by Anatole Liadoff. and the c sharp
| minor prelude py Rachmaninoff. All
| three were interesting. The first two
were short, of exquisite workmanship
and delicacy. and suggested the folk
song as their source. The second
| number. "Pastorale," was especially
! we'll conceived. 1t suggested a peace
| full, contented land, with the sunset
| Angelus summoning all to prayer.
The chimes were used in this with a
legitimate and telling effect.
The third number, the Prelude. of
course has been heard a great deal
| as q pianoforte number, but it is eX-
| CctulHBly GhtCllNC Ou NhS VI an
even if we should take issues with
| Mr. Baldwin's Interpretation of it.
"Schuberts Serenade," his first
popular song but not his greatest,
! was not arranged entirely to our
| fancy as We heard it last night. The
| initiative parts were overdone, lit
| tie too closely woven for clarity in
the latter half of the piece.
The Tocatto from the Fifth Sym
phony, by Widor. is q brilliant num-
| Der, and showed the resources of the
| organ and performer to full advan-
| taee.
Mr.. Baldwin is an organist of con-
siderable ability. He has splendid
technique. which he uses with fine
! taste and discernment. His pedal
work was accurate and firm and the
whole program reflected musicanship
| of a high order. The organ is ade-
| quate in all respects for the church
| and adds one more splendid instru-
| ment to Harrisburg's growing list.