MUSIC.
ORGAN TOR THE NEW CATHEDRAL AT CALCUTTA.
THE powers of this instrument, built by Messrs. Gray and Davison, were exhibited at Guildhall on Wednesday morning, by Mr. Adams. Much good music was introduced on the occasion; which also happily displayed the progress making in this country in the mechanical structure of the organ and the control of varied effect thus placed at the command of the performer. We think this instrument will please, as it stood the test of the morning's exhibition of its powers as a solo instrument exceedingly well. It has a fine extent of swell, which is powerful and rich in the tenor part; the pedal pipes are of a quality well adapted to the general character of the organ; the chorus is good, though perhaps a little more fulness and richness in the middle parts might be desired; and the choir affords very agreeable contrasts. Altogether, it is a work which adds reputation to the firm, in days when the remuneration for this kind of workmanship is much pared down, and the liberality of the original founders of the cathedrals but little imitated. The florid Gothic tracery of the case—which is light and airy, and well suited to a hot climate—does credit to the architectural taste of its designer, Mr. Allan Bailey. Mr. Adams gave some masterly extemporaneous performances on this occasion. The fine modulation, the regular conduct, and intelligible rhythm of his pieces, afforded much room for admiration. The learned and some- what abstruse intervals of his second extempore fugue in E minor were answered with a precision in the parts, that the musician could best appre- date. Each of these fugues had a florid second part, which was afterwards combined with the first; and the whole was then worked up into an effective coda, suited to the purposes of effect and display which charao., terized the occasion.
Were we to express any wish which still remains with the hearer not- withstanding these exhibitions of a most unusual talent in extemporaneous organ-playing, it would be for more varied designs of mental composition. The wonders wrought are framed too much upon one model. The per-, formance of the Overture to the Zauber://ole was admirably clever and effective, and not only exhibited the varied features of the score as well ass the fulness, but showed bow exceedingly well adapted the instrument is to. sudden changes and contrasts of effect. Perhaps there is no player besides Mr. Adams who could so thoroughly have mastered the orchestral diffi.- culties of this complicated piece. We should have preferred a regulan organ composition of Bach to the piece for three choirs and two orchestras, produced on this occasion; in which the progress of the different voices and, instruments was difficult to make out. The solo pieces—" Ah pen:lona," "With thee the unsheltered moor," from Handers &Ionian, &c.—were: highly applauded by a numerous audience.
Previous page
