Organ Opening

Organ built by H. L. Roosevelt.

Announcement of the series and brief description of the organ.   

“Yesterday afternoon many lovers of grand organ music assembled at the Church of the Holy Trinity, on Madison avenue, to hear the magnificent instrument recently erected there by Mr. Hilborne L. Roosevelt formally opened and exhibited.

Three of the most celebrated organists in New York were engaged to display its powers, Mr. George W. Morgan, Mr. George W. Warren, and the organist of the church, Mr. Samuel P. Warren. This triumvirate put forth a programme which contained two organ works by the greatest composer known to musicians, viz., the Passacaglia in C minor, and the Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, and Etude by Chopin, in C sharp minor, and several other works in more familiar style.

These pieces were not only difficult to execute—demanding an intimate knowledge of the art of organ-playing for their proper performance—but were well calculated to display the varied powers of this noble instrument.

It is one of the finest specimens of the modern style of organ-building to be found in the country. The characteristic excellences of the various European builders are herein combined in a single instrument. The string-like ‘gambas’ are similar to those which find favor in Germany. The grand, full, sonorous ‘diapasons’ are thoroughly English, and the brilliant, resplendent trumpets and trombones are as fine as any that have yet been heard in France. It would take up too much space to consider in detail the distinguishing qualities of the concert flutes, small flutes, harmonic flutes, hollow-toned flutes, piccolos; the diapasons and chorus stops, the oboes, clarinets, bassoons, trumpets, trombones, grand trombones and the vox humana. It will be sufficient to say that each register has strongly marked characteristics, and yet is so ‘voiced’ that it willingly combines and ‘mixes’ with the others, when required to produce some other new and beautiful tone-tint.

No soprano singer, however gifted, could hope to successfully imitate the lovely tones of the flutes and retain the same pure quality in the highest octaves, nor could any bass singer compete with the trombones, however deep, profound, rich and strong his voice might be. The germs of musical art are found in nature, but it is from these, which in many departments appear only as slight hints or indications, the artist forms complete systems to provide material for the outward expression of his imaginings.

In this instrument electric actions, as well as pneumatic, are employed, which enable the performer to accomplish with ease many things which would be impossible of attainment without such modern devices.

It is intended to give a series of organ concerts at this church on Wednesday afternoons, to aid in the formulation of a taste for and appreciation of good organ music.”