Sacred Concert on Odell’s New Organ: 2nd

Part of review of the first concert in this series.

     “The second of Mr. Harrison’s sacred concerts took place last evening, at Irving Hall. The attendance was very much better than at the first concert—amounting, indeed, to a jam—and indicates, we trust, an awaking interest in a class of music which is but seldom interpreted in public, and which, indeed, could not be rendered in the absence of an organ. The instrument now in the Hall suffices for all practical purposes. It has been materially improved since we last had occasion to speak of it. The new trumpet stop is a very desirable addition. Mr. George W. Morgan was the organist, and created, as usual, a genuine furore. He is an extraordinary performer. In happy combinations, in rapid changes, and in varied and daring effects, both with the pedals and the manuals, he is without a rival. Bach’s great Toccata in F has never been heard to better effect. In broad contrast with it was the solo with pedal obligato and variations, ‘My Country, ‘tis of thee,’—a remarkable production, exhibiting the most phenominal [sic] points of Mr. Morgan’s playing. The gentleman was greatly applauded. The vocalists were Mme. Marie Abbott, who sang Topliff’s sacred song, ‘Consider the Lilies,’ with much expression and feeling; Mr. Wm. Castle, Mr. S. C. Campbell and Mr. Jules Lumbard, basso. It would be difficult to find a better quartette. The concerted pieces and the soli were excellently rendered. Mr. C. W. Colby was the conductor.”