The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-16
ORGAN RECITAL
UNUSUAL TREAT
KATHERNE GEsT.

Three years ago. in Carnegie
hall, Pittsburgh, when on . pro-
gram with the st. Olaf choir on
their first tour. Edward Rechlin.
organist Of the Emmanuel Luther
an church, New York city. save .
Bach program, and found that It
created more interest and enthusi-
asm than the mixed programs CIV
en- formerly. MI. Rechlin then de-
cided that he would give each year
q series of Bach programs and en-
deavor to bring . spiritual message
to the people, and he has found 1t
wonderfully successful
The audiences have Increased
two and three-fold. proving that
Bach Is not the bugbear that many
think, and that the name Bach on a
program does not mean an empty
house.
Last night was the second ap-
pearance OF Mr.. Rechlin at the
First Lutheran church, Moline.
With the exception OF three num-
bers, the organ music was written
by Bach, and there was not dull
moment. This unusual program
had an unusual audience, not a
whisper, not a restless movement:
| no applause but the 1uttering OF
programs to indicate appreciation.
and the church was full except for
! email undesirable portion OF the
gallery.
To US so used to applause, per-
functory as it often is, that abso-
lutte quiet sometimes seems cold
and Indifferent, but such was not
the case last night
/ Mr.. Reichlin says his audiences
discriminate and sometimes ep-
plaude such a number as a Toccata
but never the Chorals, as was the
J case in Ann Arbor with an audi
ence Of 1000.
! The program with the opening
Kyrie, consisted Of Choral Pre-
ludes, an Adagio from a Toccata
and Fugue in c Major. Choral Har-
nominations and Toccata in F.
II some cathedrals have been call
ed frozen music" why not call a
wonderful piece of music great
cathedral, and this Toccata is one?
/ Besides these Bach numbers
Sonata vi by Mendelssohn was
rendered. 1t is based on the
Choral, Our Father. Thou in
Heaven Above" and in its various
movements was one Of beauty and
interest, and another called Con
ISOLATION" by Reuter-. An impro-
visation on a Lutheran Choral by
Mr.. Rechlin showed his musician
ship by the skill in presenting his
theme and the brilliancy Of the
close
Some one said Bach playing is a
gift and that Mr. Rechlin is able to
make this his third year Of Bach
with increased audiences. shows he
has this gift. His playing is clean
cut, full Of verve, also sympathy
and poetry, and shows reverence
for the religious spirit and SINGER
ity and earnestness throughout.
The Lutheran A Cappella choir
under the leadership of DR.. Otto H
Bostrom, assisted Mr.. Rechlin.
A OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the manner of old church music
and that it is not as easy as II
sounds, can easily be proved.
! This A Cappella choir is~accom-
plishing much. They have mod
eled themselves after the st. OLAF
choir, that marvellous organization
local audiences have been forum.
ate to have had here.
The A Cappella choir is becom-
ing known outside of the tri-cities
and has attracted the attention Of
Mr.. Hanson. a prominent manager
of New York city.
Their numbers showed patient
regular work, often at sacrifice
no doubt, and only by such work
can a choir give music with the
finish in all details as was giver
last night. Much praise is giver
to DR.. Bostrom and all the A
members.
! All Of this program was giver
without music.
Such programs are surely ben
eft to every one, and in these day!
of rush and unrest there should b.
more Of them. Not only in tn,
Lutheran church. which has thu
honor of claiming Bach but othel
!. denominations should follow this
plan with similar enjoyment ant
benefit.