New Britain herald., 1926-09-14
ORGAN Mt SIC IN
THE, CITY

guished masters of the king of in struments who have been invited 10 play upon the mammoth organ at the Sesquicentennial exposition. Mir. Olsson's turn comes next month, and if anybody In passing the Franklin square church hears peals of thunderous harmony. in terlaced with the coaxing caresses of the vox humana, or the silicia coupled to the tremolo, he can take 1t for granted the organist is play ing Guilmant, Widor or Caesar Franck in preparation for his on- slaught upon the s20o,000 instru- ment in Philadelphia.
 When the church with which Mir. Olsson is identified brought him to the city it took exceeding care to invite a musician who could main tain and, if possible, improve upon the high standards of music pre- vailing at the home of the Wen nerberg chorus, that organization Of singers which has done so much to spread the fame of New Britain throughout central Connecticut.
 It has been noted that Mir. Olsson on Sunday already started the musical season at his church with an organ recital. He evident ly believes in an early start as well as a good one. And it probably has been widely noted that the organ ist spccializes in the masterpieces of music for his instrument, the first program Sunday night con taining Bach, Widor, and other big names. This perhaps Is an indica- ton of the effort the organist will put into his work throughout the cool months. He is backed by d congregation which takes pride in the musical perfection of its serv- ices, recitals and concerts, no less so than any others in the city, q congregation which believes that part of its function is the cultural uplift of its members and friends. The citizens Of Swedish extraction who make lip it's membership are to be commented upon the serious and efficient manner in which they go about the business of exalting life.
 Just about the time that Mir Olsson is getting firmly fixed in this city, another able organist, Jo- seph c. Beebe, is leaving after years of service at the great in strument in the South Congrega- tional church. Mir. Beebe through out his service in this city had the distinction of playing upon the finest organ here, one of the finest in the state, and, when 1t was built, reputed to have been one of the five finest in the United States. He. gave satisfaction and pleasure 10 the large congregation and its friends, and also to the general public which assembled on Sunday ! nights to see the moving pictures and listen to the organ music. At some of the latter events Mir Beebe played important selections from organ literature, as well as ar rangements from Wagner - one Of his programs last winter including four or five of the greatest of scenes from the realm Of Wag- merriam music drama. His going has been universally regretted by the members of this fine church but the trustees can be relied upon to secure the services of a capable . successor. The magnificent organ ! at the South church Is too great a { civic asset 10 languish in any other
 hands.
 New Britain cannot hear toe much great organ music. It has been the experience almost every where that the more of 1t that is
 heard the better 1t is liked. Quito q few progressive municipalities which cannot afford the expense oi q symphony orchestra, even in ab- broyiatod form, employ municipal organists who play for the public l upon municipal instruments. Port. land. Me, is the prime example oi
 this system in New England, and
 Denver, Colo, and San Francisco l Calf. in the west although the
 latter city now. also has q sym. phony orchestra.
 Organ music in New Britain car
 well be developed to Digger and better" heights, seeing that we i have several instruments of satis. factory tone. organists Of skill, and ] tho spiritual urge 10 make the most of tho situation.
 Instead of scrapplng the warshiI Misaka, Japan will convert 1t into { naval museum.