Organ Matinee

“…George Morgan’s first organ matinee at Steinway Hall took place yesterday, and gave promise of success for the rest of the series. Hesse’s theme and variations in A, Bach’s venerable Fugue in E flat, the overture to Massaniello, and a potpourri, by Morgan, were the organ selections, and were played in the best style of the distinguished organist. These matinees will be continued weekly.”

“Mr. George W. Morgan gave his first Organ Matinee, at Steinway Hall, on Wednesday afternoon, the 10^th inst. It was got up without much preparation, and the attendance was, in consequence, by no means commensurate with the merits of the performance. It was, however, the first of a series of Organ Matinees which Mr. Morgan proposes to give at the above Hall, and we are satisfied that the others will attract large audiences. They should, for all who were present on Wednesday were thoroughly delighted with the entertainment.

Mr. Morgan played four selections in various styles, and proved by his brilliant rendering of each, his perfect mastery over the repertoire of organ music. His master-piece was, probably, the E-flat Fugue of Sebastian Bach. This he played with a brilliant, yet measured distinctiness which revealed the entire working of the subjects, making the composer’s thoughts clear, even to the uninitiated listener. With the exception that the second movement was taken a shade too fast, the performance was of unexceptionable excellence. The Tema and variations by Hesse were finely played, and were noteworthy for the beautiful combinations, by which Mr. Morgan varied and colored the compostion, and thereby producing the most charming effects. He also gave a fine orchestral reading of the overture of Massaniello, for which he received a hearty encore, to which he responded by playing his clever and effective arrangement of Benedict’s beautiful melody, ‘By the Sad Sea Waves.’ His duties concluded with a Potpourri in which he displayed the extraordinary brilliancy of his manual and pedal manipulation. Each piece was a decided success, and we do not think that we ever heard Mr. Morgan play with such uniform brilliancy and excellence.

Mme. Linder-Kiellerup made her debut on this occasion, as a pianist, playing Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata,’ in a pleasing, chaste and correct manner. She has a good touch executes clearly and brilliantly, and exhibits both taste and sentiment. Judging by this, her first appearance, she lacks force and impulse, but the nervousness consequent upon the occastion may measurably account for this. We cannot therefore, pronounce full judgment until the opportunity is afforded us of hearing her again.

Mr. J. R. Thomas sang two ballads in most exquisite style. We have rarely heard his voice so rich and beautiful, and there is no voice in the city which exhibits such admirable and refined training. It was a perfect luxury to lsten to the rich, oily flow of that fine organ. It is needless to say that Mr. Thomas met with that perfect success which always attends his efforts.”