Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-15
NEW ORGAN TOUCHED
BY HAND OF MASTER
Presbyterians Listen to In
strument Given to Church,
a Willard Memorial.
MUSIC OF HIGH ORDER
BY HENRIETTA M. REES.

The First Presbyterian church was
filled to overlooking last evening for
the dedication recital OF the new
organ, given by William Z. Zeuch of
Chicago. Every available seat was
taken, even in the choir loft, and the
side aisles were thronged with
standees and many were turned away.
1t was inspiring to hear the large
congregation sing America" which
was the opening hymn, after the few
brief remarks of welcome by N. H.
LOOMS, who presided. DR.. jerks, for
Joseph H. Millard and Miss Jessie
Willard, made the speech of presenta.
ton of the organ to the church. He
touched upon the life of Mrs. Willard,
to whose memory the organ is trib-
ute, of both her and Senator Millard's
long connection with the church; of
Miss Jessie Millard and her work, and
of the organ itself, which was being
presented.
Has Style and Finish.
William E. Zeuch, the organist, has
a musical style, fluent technic, and
plays with assurance and finish, and
many were the possibilities of the new
organ called into play by his varieties
OF registration and effect. The organ
is an instrument of which the First
Presbyterian church may we'll be
proud, for it has wealth OF resourc IS,
a beauty OF flute and string tone, as
well as of its organ tone, and 10
stops and combinatio ms to crafty the
demands of he most exacting. 1t is
to be hoped that its voice may be
heard in man. recital program i'll the
future.
Many Light Numbers.
The program chosen by Mr.. Zeuch
was made up for the most part OF
lighter organ numbers and transcript
tons for the organ, rather than OF
tn. more representative concert num-
bers, with which organ literature is
amply supplied, and which Mr.. Zeuch
would no doubt have played with the
same charm which he exhibited in his
smaller numbers. An interesting and
brilliant Concert Overture" by Hol-
Inns, was followed by three "Minuets,"
lie first two the familiar ones by
Beethoven and Bocherini, which are
extremely attractive on the organ.
Tests the Organs Powers,
As Mr.. Zeu.h did not know the
specifications and wide capabilities of
the organ until he reached Omaha, he
changed the Bach number announced
for a Cradle Song" and Evening
Song" by McFarlane, and transcript
ton of "Kamenoi Ostrow," by Rubin
stein, the former bringing into use
the chimes and many beautiful effects,
while the latter offered much variety
of registration and brought solo on
the vox humana.
The many other numbers were both
attractive and we'll presented, among
them being delightful Canon" by
Schumann, an interesting Russian
march, by Schminke, based upon the
folk song of the "Volga Boat Song"
recently sung by the Mendelssohn
Choir; a brilliant "Fanfar, d'Orgue,"
by Shelley; Caprice" by Kinder, and
Meditation" by Sturges.
Church Soloists Well Heard.
Mrs. Wylie, the soprano of the
quartet, was heard to excellent advan-
tage in my Redeemer and My Lord"
by Dudley Buck, her beautiful quality
Of voice and art of Interpretation
making it most welcome number.
Mr.. Johnston, the te:.or and director,
was also heard in solo, the recitative,
"Ye People, Reni Your Hearts," and
aria, IF With All Your Hearts," from
the Elijah" by Mendelssohn. He has
long been knowr for his splendid
voice and musical ability and his sing
ing last night maintained his reputa-
ton. Mr.. Zeuch's accompaniment
we're admirably suitable. The acoustics
of the new church are exceptionally
good, and make the hearing both easy
and pleasurable.