New Britain herald., 1929-12-23
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
 REJO|CES HEARTS
Churches Re-eCh0 With Soul Stirring Carols Of Glad Season

Church organists and choir mas ters. solosts and choirs, and mem bers of congregations who join lustlly in the singing of Christmas carols, had the opportunity yester- day to enjoy the spirit of Christmas in song. Twice during the year - Christmas and Easter-music all but has the right of way in the churches. Many clergymen make their addresses short, so that as much time as possible may be given over to the message of har- mony. Rarely if ever in the history of church music in this city have there been as elaborate musical programs as was the case yesterday.
 Only at one of the churches-St, Marks Episcopal - was music placed in the background in favor Of a pageant. In virtually all the others the me-honorcd custom of utilizing carols and music of a dis tinct Christmas flavor prevailed.
 Good crowds attended the serv- ices. The programs were given after 1he result of much work by those in authority.
 The same carols were duplicated at many if not most of the services Silent Night, Holy Night" the touching Christmas tune by Gruhor, held its own as the prime favorite. No Christmas service anywhere seems 10 be complete without a touching presentation of this sub lime melody. In addition there were presentations of Christmas tunes dating from the beginning of the Christian era, originating in all lands.
 The tendency to utilize prime taVorlteS, regardless of the enter prise of organists and choir mas ters in making use of novelties, was also indicated in the choice of or gan numbers. In five churches or ganists played "Jcsu Bambino,' by Pietro Ton. MT. Ton is a modern organist of worldwide fame who has written many involved pieces. but his comparatively simple Christmas piece in a short period of years seems to have conquered the hearts of every organist The piece is becoming as necessary for organists at Christmas as Silent Night' is to congregations.
 Some of the Scryiccs
 Among the musical services that attracted a large gathering was that at Bethany church. where Walter L. Magnuson is organist and choir mas ter. Mir. Magnuson came here from Worcester q little more than d year ago and believes in doing his music on large scale. His choir sings as if all the voices were specially se- loctod: it is large and enthusiastic He utilzes the talents of skilled solo iSts, and yesterday in addition to the choir his quartet was composed of Mrs. Eleanor Nahlstrom, soprano, Miss Florence Ostlund, contralto, Harry Bloomquist, tenor. and George Johnson, bass. There also was Caro- line BarsCh, yiolinist.
 Amid the soft glow of candles these singers gave an elaborate pro gram during the late afternoon. It began with a slow movement by Tschaikowski. took up carols well known and others resurrectcd from the mists of the past. included modern Christmas music by Clarence Dickinson and Harvey Gaul, and ended with Bach.
 The singing of the choir unquoS- tionably made q marked impression lehem" by GouNod was given hy the tones; the Austrian folk song, "Shep- upon everyone. The exquisite "Bcth- choir in resonant and Well-balancod herds Christmas Song" was also at tractive. The quartet sang delight ful number in What q Wonder from the Lithuanian, while the male chorus gave "Nowel, Nowcnn 1 by Dickinso in captivating manner. A chorus of outstanding value was And the Trees do Moan," by Gaul Mrs. BarSch played the Romance from the Wieniawski concerto with good tone and technique, the ac- i compartment of the organ adding | much lustre to the classic number. |