Concert of Eminent Organists

Rebuilding of the church following a fire a year ago that also destroyed the organ; new organ by George Jardine $ Son, one of the finest in America; compass; trial of the organ; programme, consisting primarily of excerpts from operas arranged for organ.  

“Leaving the subject of parlor instruments, with their almost inexhaustible capacity for affording artistic amusement, we will glance at one or two of the latest additions to the large list of noble church organs which exist in New York. Very prominent among these is a magnificent instrument built by Jardine & Son at, it is said, the large cost of $45,000, for the Church of St. John the Evangelist, in Fifty-fourth street. Such a prodigious instrument in so small a church would seem incongruous, so that it is well to add that the instrument is intended for the great Roman Catholic Cathedral now erecting in Fifth avenue, and will be moved thither at the completion of that edifice. A few nights ago the instrument was exhibited by G. W. Morgan, Mora and other prominent organists. In general exterior appearance, and in the direction and disposition of the pipes, it is not unlike the noble organ built by the Jardines for St. George’s, Stuyvesant Square. In size it is much larger, being fully thirty feet in depth. The pipes are of light blue and crimson, picked with gold stars. The power of the organ is something enormous. The diapasons are majestic and sonorous, and the solo stops brilliantly effective. The mechanical aids of piston knobs and combination pedals are unusually complete. The touch is quick and sure, and a chime of bells adds its graceful tintinnabulations to the mass of harmonious music which can be educed from this remarkable instrument. For the benefit of connoisseurs we give the builder’s schedule of this organ, which, it is understood, is principally the gift of the pastor, Rev. J. McMahon, and will be at no charge to the church [builder’s schedule appended].”