Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-21
LARGE AUDIENCE
GREETS ORGANIST
Charles M. Courboin Receives
Highest Commendation For
His Delightful Program

1t was a veritable feast of music
that was presented in Bethlehem
Lutheran church last night when
Charles M. Courboin, organist of the
First Baptist church, of Syracuse,
N. Y, and municipal organist of
Springfield, Mass. appeared in re-
cital. He was brought here by the
Harrisburg Association of Organists.
The musician showed exceptional
Judgment in the selection of his pro-
gram, opening with the Handel
Guilmant Concerto in D Minor, and
playing the Lento with pedal cad
enza, the Scherzo and the beautiful
largo and finale. The Concerto was
originally composed as a novelty be-
tween the parts of Handers oratorios
then being produced in the Hay
market theater, London. The finale
was brilliant, and bravoura technique
to an unusual degree was displayed
in its rendition.
Maily's "AndaHte from First So
nata," followed. This is the noted
Brussels organist's best work. 1t is
sustained and melodious with exqui-
site ornamentation. "The Scherzo
Cantabile." by Lefebure-Wely, was
next presented.
Without the presentation of some
thing from the brain of one, Johann
Sebastian Bach, no organ recital
would be complete. DIR. Courboin
played one of the most famous of
the great composers work, "Toccata
and Fugue in D Minor" This COM
position is noted for the intensity of
its weird contrasts of rushing pas
sages and overwhelming masses, the
program advises. 1t ends in a coda
in which the resources of the organ
for presenting magnificent harmonies
and pouring out majestic volume
of sustained tones are put to the
highest uses.
Two tender, dreamy Schumann
numbers, "Evensong" and Sketch" ."
were beautifully played. If there are
any numbers which reveal the SEN
sative, romantic side of Robert
Schumann. They are these pretty Sc
lections.
Dedicated to Courboin
The Allegro from Sixth Sym
phony," by Charles Marie Widor.
was an outstanding feature of the
program. The Sixth Symphony was
dedicated to Mr.. Courboin by the
composer who was greatly impressed
by his playing. The first rendition in
America was that of the PhiladeI-
phia Symphony Orchestra in the
Wanamaker Philadelphia auditorium
with Mr. Courboin at the great organ.
The two closing numbers were
from the works of Saint-Saens. The
first was a charming "Nuptial Bene-
diction," and the second the ma
jestic "Marche Heroique." Between
the two the organist interpolated an
imitation of a twentieth century
portable organ, which was played
with admirable effect.
Perhaps the most wonderful num-
Der of the entire program was the
Bach composition. The playing was
as precise and definite as clockwork,
and yet it had warmth of feeling and
beauty of shading and contrast so
far above the ordinary playing as to
place him in the absolute virtuoso
class. The speed of the Fugue was
terrific.
Taken all in all, the recital of Mr..
Courboin was an artistic triumph
which far exceeded anything of the
sort ever heard in the city. Those
who recalled the time the first organ
of Bethlehem church was dedicated.
contrasted the two recitals. At that
time Clarence Eddy was at the or
gan. An obstinate key simply and
vulgarly stuck, regardless of the at
tempts to bring it to terms and
while Eddy played magnificent
program, his recital was almost an
utter artistic failure.