The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-22
IN ORGAN RECITAL
Three Distinguished Musicians
Appear at Grace Cathedral.
Dean Kaye Condemns Trashy
Religious Selections.

An organ recital by three distin-
guished musicians of Kansas, was
given Monday night at Grace cathe-
dral, in connection with a short reli-
gious service, which was the opening
event of the diocesan convention of the
church, and also an event of the con-
vention of the Kansas branch of the
American Guild of Organists, both or
ganizations being assembled in con-
vention in Topeka this week. In ad-
dition to the organ music, the choir of
the church sang, and Dean j. P. DEB.
Kaye spoke briefly on dignity in
, church music.
Dean Horace Whitehouse, of Wash
burn college, played two numbers,
'Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by
Bach, and "Chorale in B Minor" by
Caesar Franck.
| Frederic Rogers, of Hutchinson, was
not present, and his numbers for the
evening were omitted Daniel A.
Hirschler dean of the Kansas chap
ter of the Guild, surprised his audi
ence by playing two Debussy numbers,
i"Cortege" and "Arabesque." Debussy
is not, it seems, generally known as a
composer of organ music.
The chorus gave the Ma gnificat. ac-
cording to Stainer's harmonization of
an ancient Gregorian setting. They
also sang a Schubert anthem and a
trio from Christiphorus. Their selec-
lions were made with a view to illus
4 traJ1nS the pest fellSlOuS music OF the
present developed from the older
forms.
Dean Hayes address emphasized the
point that the main object of church
music, worship, should be kept in
mind, if that music is to maintain a
dignified character. Church music is
not for display of fine instruments or
voices, nor for the exploitation of or
nate compositions. nor even for pleas
ing the congregation. We do not need
to give people always what they want,
for that destroys the educational priv
ilege. If people continue to get what
they should have, rather than always
what they want, they will come to
want the best. Such so-called relig-
ious hymns as Brighten the Corner
Where You Are and Throw Out the
Life Line are Trash and have no place
in a service of worship"
Feature of Recital.
The feature of the recital was the
rendering, by Charles s. Skilton of
Lawrence, his new composition so
nata in D Minor" In this sonata use
is made of the whole tone scale and
the modern harmonic style. The sec
ond theme. of a song like character, is
played on the highest keyboard, with
a melodic, tenor accompaniment on
the lowest, and the bass in a whole
tone scale. The third theme is a
vigorous one and is used in comb ina-
ton with the second. The develop
ment sections begin with the first
theme played by full organ in the
major key, diminishing to a passage
in modern harmony, with the third
theme played by the pedals. leading
to duet treatment of the second
theme, accompanied by flute runs and
modulating thru several keys. This
closes with a short fugue on the first
theme with sustained pedal. The
theme then played with full pedal
leads back to the first part. The
movement closes with the first and
third theme played at the same time
with the full power of the organ. The
second theme is in the ancient style
of Palestrina, but develops into the