Press enter after choosing selection

$5,000 Concert

$5,000 Concert image
Parent Issue
Day
18
Month
December
Year
1894
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The world famed Columbian organ, with its four thousand reeds and pipes, its electrical connections, thunderous volume and grand orchestral powers, Friday evening passed formally into the possession of the state of Michigan, with the University, through its president, its custodian. It was a "good Friday" that saw the magnificent instrument, whose swelling diapasón has been heard with wonder and admiration by representatives of every nation on earth, well delivered to the honored hands that received it; for the event was one that established a circuit between the great educational institution of Michigan - foremost in America - and every power and principality on the globe, that honors intelligence, or is touched by the harmonies of sound. It was an event that added a new page and new luster to the proud record of the state, which now possesses the most noted musical "divinity" that delights the mortal sense or lifts its swelling doxology to the ears of Omnipotence. The formal dedication of the World's Fair Columbian organ took place in the midst of an assemblage of noted guests that constituted a distinguished presence. Orí the platform sat President Angelí, one of the brightest stars in the intellectual galaxy of the world. By his side, Gen. Alger, of national fame in war, in civics, in benevolence; one whose open-handed private charity and munificent public gifts would stand an. enduring monument to his memory if none other were reared. On the right, Kis Excellency, John T. Rich, governor of the state of Michigan. Further to the right Prof. Albert A. Stanley, whose wonderful control over the mighty instrument was the marvel of all who were witnesses of hisskilhat whose beek and touch, the giant of harmony pours forth the fullness of its thunder or softens to the hush that would be disturbed by a pindrop. These, with the distinguished Prof. Francis W. Kelsey, president of the University Musical society, as the capable and eloquent presiding officer of the evening, constituted the platform presence. The hall, on the main floor and the gallery of the great building, were well filled, and many people of musical and civil distinction from all parts of the state occupied seats in the audience. There was a large display of full dress, and the gathering as a whole was probably never excelled in University hall for merit and cultivation. Ñotwithstanding that the congregation was large, it was evident that many holders of tickets were absent and unrepresented. This, however, was to have been expected, as large purchases of tickets were made, merely with the view of wiping out the $8,000 obligation against the organ. Prof. Kelsey, president of the evening, at the' appointed time, opened the exerceses and formally presentcd the organ in the following words: "Ladies and Gentlemen: This evening marks the beginning of a new epoch in the history of the musical interests associated with the University of Michigan. We welcome you to rejoice with us in the possession of the great Columbian organ; to share with us the satisfaction that arises from the realization of a long-cherished ideal. "The placing of a grand organ in this hall was the thought of Professor Frieze, first president of the University Musical society. In February last, when the opportunity was presented to secure the organ of the Columbian Exposition, it seemed to us that the time had come to make the idea a reality. The limited resources of the University shut off all prospect of financial help from that source; we were obliged to make an appeal to the friends of the University and of higher musical education for means. We met everywhere with substantial encouragement; yet so great was the financial depression that June carne before it was deetned wise to make the formal purchase, trusting ' to that faithful constituency of : those who never desert a worthy cause in the hour of need, to assist ia raising the balance of the purchase money. As the organ neared completion the device of a subscnption concert was adopted, with the result that the dept on the organ is tonight so far reduced that provisión for the remainder can be made without serious difficulty. We thank you, kind friends, one and all, for your generous and hearty response in this good cause. "We thank you, regents and members of faculties and students of the University, for your ready assistance, without which the securing of the organ, would have been impossible. "We thank you, citizens of Ann Arbor, for your earnest efforts and full contributions. "We thank you, citizens of Detroit, for the self sacrifice and enthusiasm with which you have given most liberally of your means and of your time. "We thank you, alumni and friends of the University in Grand Rapids, New York, Washington and other cities, for the'substantial cvidences of your love for this University and interest in its progress. "Kinally, we thank you, gentlemen of the Farrand & Votey Organ Company, for the kindness and consideration which have uniformly characterized your dealings with us. We are proud tonight to remember that when the authorities of the Columbian Exposition were searching for the mind that could design, and the skill that could contrive a grand organ which should Ilústrate to the nations the highest advancement of America, after four centuries or progress, in the art of organ building, it was a Michigan firm to which the commission was given, a Michigan firm received the wellearned praise. "The agency througn which the funds for the purchase of this instrument have so far been secured is the University Musical Society. This organization has a charter of its own; but our board of directors have thought it best to transfer the ownership of ' n to the board of regents of the University. We have striven to secure this organ, not for ourselves, but for the University, the state, the people of Michigan. But there is a further consideration. Private corporations may change in constitution, in policy, in degree of foresight and interests committed to their charge are too often subject to great vicissitudes. We believe that a board of regents, perpetually chosen by the people of the state, and responsible to them,whose corporate life is wrapped up with that of the state itself, are the best, the surest guardians of that which may be devoted to educational purposes not to purposes merely for an age or a generation, but for all time to come. "In delivering this noble work of art to the board of regents, we cannot forget that the organ is priniarily a religious instrument; that religión and morality, as well as knowledge, were recognized by those pioneers of our educational system, the framers of the ordinance of 1787, as necessary to good government. The wonderful mechanism of the organ will never fail to interest; its splendid harmonies will ever please; but those keys touched by master hands, will speak a deeper message than that merely of beauty, of aesthetic pleasure. This organ will become an educational force in the hearts and lives of our young people. lts harmonies will stir impulses toward hings of the spirit. Oh, may it touch and thrill their inmost natures, bringing them inspiration for the good and the true as well as the beautiful, lifting them up away from that which is mean and trivial into the clear shining of the ideal. "President Angelí, on behalf of the board of directors of the University Musical Society, I ask you to accept this organ for the board of regents, on whose shoulders rests the weighty responsiblity of administering the affairs of this university. We ask you to accept it for the sons and daughters of Michigan and student guest from all states and countries, who shall tread these halls long after all of us here present shall have been gathered to our fathers. We ask you to accept it for that wider circle of those who, in own land and in many lands, look fondly to the university as their alma mater, or the alma mater of their friends. We make but one request; that this grand instrument, standing for generations that no man can now number, shall bear the name of that rare and gentle spirit, to whom the placing of an organ in this hall was for so many years one of life's fondest dreams. President Angelí responded as follows: "I am authori.ed by the board of regents to accept and gratefully acknowledge the splendid gift which the University of Michigan Musical society have made us tonight, and upon the conditions named. In securing this magnificent instrument, we are realizing a hope cherished for twenty years. I desire to join you in expressing gratitude to the many benefactors in all States of the Union, and beyond the sea, who have made its purchase possible. "I desire also to recognize the splendid audacity of the board of directors of the musical society, who took upon their shoulders the responsibility of purchasing this organ, and I want to emphasize also the indomitable energy and persistent efforts of the president of that society, to whose efforts the purchase of the organ islargely due. I congratúlate you, sir, on the success of your efforts. There is one other name that I must cali, though I know the modesty of its wearer will hardly forgive me for doing so at this time. "Six years ago I found at my old home in Providence, R. I., a young man whom 1 persuaded1 to come here and take the seat of music just vacated by Calvin B. Cady. We soon found this young man to have the most remarkable and unusual combination of high musical attainments and solid business sense. He has not only succeeded in giving us the finest music in America in this hall each season at a raerely 'nominal cost, but has established the school of music which is now on such. a promising basis, and aroused so much enthusiasm in choral singing that it is hardly possible to get a stage large enough to accommodate the young men and women who want to join his chorus, lt would be superfluous to say more now. His magie touch will soon open the lips of that instrument, which will sound the praises of the buildars and the player in toues more sweet and powerful than any human voice." President Angelí referred brielly but touchingly to the memory of the late Henry Simmons Frieze and in closing said: "May the music from this splendid instrument elévate us year by year until our souls shall be better fitted to mingle with his sweet and gentle spirit in that higher sphere, where I believe he now is." Gov. Rich was then introduced by Prof. Kelsey and ably sketched the history and growth of the University and in closing said: "It is fitting that this organ, which is a product of Michigan; which at the World's Fair was listened to by all people of the world, and played upon by the greatest artists, an instrument which has a reputation as wide as the University itself, it seems peculiarly fitting that this organ should have a place in this hall. I congratúlate you upon this acquisition which will stand as a monument to you and the people of Michigan." Gov. Rich was followed by exGovernor Alger, whose humorous remarks speedily put the audience in excellent spirits. Changing from humor to pathos, the general melted the hearts of his audience with a touching recital of the playing of "Home Sweet Home," by the bands of the federal and confedérate armies, when on Christmas they were encamped on opposite sides of the river. Then, for the first time the audience heard the tones of the great organ as Prof. Stanley mounted the organ seat amid applause, struck the notes of Duke Street and the audience arose and joined in the "Dedicatory Hymn:" Thy thoughts, O God, are fur above. Thy ways beyond our eartlily ken; And yet. Thou hust a heart of Iove,- Thou dost Accept t be praise of men. Wc bless thy name in this Riad liour,- Thy gift of song is rlcli and fiee: In harmonies we i'eel thy nower, And musio draws us neur to Thee. Accept this tliat our hands hare wroufjht: Let thy volee, in its tonea be heard: So shall it stand with blessinjr fraught. And liearts with heavenly joy bestirred. The singing of the hymn was followed by that great feast of harmony for which all had patiently waited - the organ recital by Prof. Stanley. Anticipation had been raised to a high pitch; but the event proved that anticipation may fall short of realization. The fame of Prof. Stanley as an organist has been won by conquest. He is not only the organ 's manipulator, but its complete master, a creative and directing force operating upon the mechanical forces of the instrument, whose obedience to his will finds complete expression whether in the soft, low cadenee of the lute, the distant bag pipe of the shepherd, the angry crash and roar of the storm or the grand organ strains of "Praise God f rom Whom All Blessings Flow." It is all the sanie to the instrument if only Prof. Stanley orders it. All that was promised and more than was expected, Prof. Stanley and the Columbian organ gave the dedicatory audience. Just before the close Charles Buchner, of Detroit, was invited to the platform and made a few happy remarles. The Doxology with the f uil power of voice and instrument closed the grandest modern event in the history of the University - an event that will live, life long in the memory of all whose blessing it was to have been present.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News