The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-25

\V\W recently made that MT. Edwin
 Arthur Kraft, F. A. G. O., or ganist and choirmaster of Trinity Ca tbedral, Cleveland, Ohio, and one of the most distinguished and accom- piished organists in America, would give two recitals in Birmingham at the Church of the Advent on the hand some new organ. the musical world of this city was delighted
 There Is no more beautiful music in the world that organ music. for 1t contains the very soul of religion, combined with the brilliance of orches- grandeur of which no other musician boasts and for hundreds of years in the cathedrals of the world the same magnificent hymns have sent out their messages to the worshippers and the hearts of people have been touched by music's beautiful appeal
 In installing the splendid instru- ment at the Church of the Advent Dr. Middleton $. Barnwell, the beloved rector of the church has shown his appreciation of music's part in the church service, and In order that Bir- mingham may have the pleasure of nearing the BOlQeH lOHtS anu luC Ald5- njficent registration which this most excellent of modern organs contains. he has invited one of the most cele- brated organists in the world to be the guest of the Church of the Ad- vent and formally present to the music loving people of this city programmes on the new organ which will embrace the most beautiful of compositions for the organ.
 Contemplating MT. Kraft's visit to Birmingham it will be of interest to music lovers to know that this dis tinguished organist was the only visit- ing organist selected by the commit tee of the Methodist centenary to play three ,recitals on the $50.o0o organ built especially for the centenary cele- bration in Columbus, o.
 In speaking of MT. Kraft's recitals there Dr. Edgar Stillman Kelly the famous composer, writes:
 Among the most artistic events at the Methodist centenary, Columbus. O., were the brilliant organ recitals of Edwin Arthur Kraft which were not only attractive to the laymen but 1 Interesting to musicians.
 Some years since had the pleas
 ure of hearing MT. Kraft in his Flu
 rcpean concerts and it was gratify- 1 ing to observe how this American organist has ripened during the in- terim Especially was this noticeable | In the performance of his organ tran
 scriptions of orchestral works" | Another of MT. Kraft's critics has
 said:
 "The organ playing of MT. Edwin Arthur Kraft, Fellow of the Ameri-
 can Guild of Orgaists, places him in | the very front rank of the best or ganists of this country.
 l MT. Kraft is endowed with the
 two most important qualifications for { successful organ work-an intensely
 musical temperament and a limitless
 capacity for hard work. The years of
 srudy he spent in Berlin and Paris. | together with his wide experience in
 important positions in this country.
 have given him qualifications that very few organists possess.
 'His remarkable ease in perform
 ance makes his interpretation of the most difficult and brilliant passages ] fairly wonderful in clarity and sweep. while In the heavier and more ma l jestic movements, the dignity of his 1 style has won for him unqualified 1 praise from the most discerning | critics. He Is a master of the express
 sion pedals, and in phrase and cres- ] cedo effects has few equals. | MT. Kraft is not only a player of 1 dazzling technical equipment, ex- 1 tremely facile in manual changes and l registrations but of unusual tempera- l. mental fluency. He is broad in his
 tastes, does not disdain the melody