Scan 29
Musical Courier 1906-06-13: Vol 52 Iss 1368, 1906
72 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 30. See the scan on archive.org.
1W. H. DONLEY, ORGANIST.
2Indianapolis, June 9, 1906.
4William H. Donley, of Indianapolis, Ind., supervising organ architect, and likewise organist, is the man with a message. Born in New Haven, Conn., he possesses the typical New England desire for knowledge, and has not neglected to store his mind with many valuable points regarding the organ—his favorite instrument—inasmuch as he has since early boyhood evinced a peculiar love for looking into its mechanism and studying the qualities which will cause it to be fully recognized. Mr. Donley is a brilliant organist, who is fearless enough to appreciate, play and make popular the modern school of music. He is refreshingly original, and his delightful playing, while entrancing the multitude, is as "Donleyesque" as he pleases it shall be. He understands thoroughly the instrument upon which he plays, its moods, its capacity, its possibilities, its minutest organism, and in pedal technic he has no rival. He says:
6"The organ in its present stage of development is undoubtedly far in advance of the average organist of today. I treat the organ as a means to an end, and as an instrument fully capable of reaching out for something to tell. Let the performer have something to tell, and the modern organ will certainly tell it. I believe in the instrument's present, and that an absolutely broad future awaits it. It has a message; it is for musicians to listen for it. The day of the organ is at hand. No longer will dry, uninteresting, unmeaning programs be inflicted upon an ignorant public by the organ artist (?) who gives high sounding German, Italian and French compositions with a gusto of technic and monkeyism. The present style of organ music, written as it is in modern form, shows "how the wind is blowing," and is bringing out the possibilities of modern organ playing. Pedants may roar and clamor for the 'classical,' but modern music must come to the front. Note how Lemare's writings tend. As men's mentality is evolved and expressed, the organ meets the demand."
8Mr. Donley is the enthusiastic man with an idea. He considers that organists have not believed or understood sufficiently the instrument upon which they performed. Why? Because they have been pedantic enough to consider certain effects impossible for the organ. The reason is obvious. Mr. Donley has been aptly termed the "Wizard of the Organ," because of his extraordinary gift in getting effects from the instrument wholly foreign to nine-tenths of the organists. The fact remains that the organ and organist must advance equally to meet the requirements of the twentieth century stage of art. Mr. Donley is doing this; his public performances teem with qualities mostly unheard even in the great work of professional players. His rich temperamental nature, guided by a clear musical brain, gives to the gems of Widor, Botting, Guilmant and others a marvelous coloring and tone pictures and a grade of thought which cause his programs to be listened to by both layman and musician with the highest interest.
10Everything shows progress, intellectual standards reaching higher and higher, so "Why not the organ?" says Mr. Donley. "This instrument is becoming more pliant and capable in its expression of thought as organ builders advance."
12So far as is known, Mr. Donley is the only man in America who has given illustrated organ lecture-recitals on Wagner's Trilogy. In his treatment he shows the composer's "system" of motive development, followed by illustrations while the organ plays the selections. To the masses, wholly unfamiliar with the beauties of these motives, such proves highly educative. Mr. Donley does not scorn popular recitals. In his fourteen years' residence in Indianapolis he has given 175 programs, including "novelties" not heretofore brought out by organists.
14His series of inaugural recitals in this city comprised a popular program, in which compositions of Handel, Cowen, Guilmant, Dudley Buck and others were played; a program illustrating the four great schools of organ playing, i.e., German, Italian, French, English; a program of American composers, in which Buck, Horatio Parker, Arthur Foote, Whitney, Flagler, Stone figured; and a Wagner program. Mr. Donley was one of the number of organists invited by the official committee to give a recital in Festival Hall at the World's Fair, St. Louis. He gave a notable program on the grand organ, the largest and most wonderful in the world. He was also one of the Pan-American Exposition players.
16Two points of musicianly virtue characterize this man—progress and originality. His almost extraordinary knowledge of organ building, with his musical intelligence, must place him on the first list of American organists. He studies constantly how to develop his favorite instrument. At the recent dedicatory exercises of the big organ at the Reid Memorial Church, Richmond, Ind., which instrument was planned and supervised by Mr. Donley, the originality of his playing was admirably marked, and showed a master mind back of the instrument. "What constitutes good organ playing?" was asked of Mr. Donley. "To thoroughly understand the instrument's possibilities; to express the message in mind; in fact, thought is the thing dominant."
18Mr. Donley has planned and supervised the building of some of the largest organs in America. His programs have been artistic treats. An organ recital recently given at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Mo., by Mr. Donley, presented the following program:
20Marche Cortege, Sylvia ………………………………………….. Delibes
21Allegro Cantabile, Fifth Symphony …………………………… Widor
22Fugue in D ……………………………………………………….. Guilmant
23Sursum Corda ……………………………………………………. Elgar
24Toccata ……………………………………………………….. Batiste-Donley
25Romance ……………………………………………………….. Wheeldon one of two readings
26Romance ……………………………………………………….. Wheelon one of two readings
27Allegretto ……………………………………………………….. Bossi
28Fantaisie Rustique …………………………………………….. Wolstenholme
29Assyrian March, Tone Poem ………………………………… Botting
30Scherzo ……………………………………………………….. Hoyte
31Offertoire ……………………………………………………… Gaetoli
32Overture, Zampa …………………………………………….. Herold
34The press has generously added its acclamation of Mr. Donley's excellent work. A critic of Iowa University writes:
36Of the many who profess to a "call" to the ministry of music but few are chosen. Organists abound in the United States, but the divinely appointed masters can be counted on the fingers of one hand. W. H. Donley is certainly in the line of promotion and may write his name on a finger of that hand. In interpreting the joy and sadness, the peace and passion of human hearts, the individual side of Mr. Donley is precisely revealed.
38W. H. Donley, a distinguished musician and organist, performed a comprehensive program of selections by Bach, Beethoven, Guilmant, Batiste and original compositions. The tone of the organ was admirably brought out by his artistic playing.—Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Md.
40Programs by Mr. Donley include a series of organ recitals which evidence the work of an organist of no mean ability and accomplishment.—Boston Musical Herald.
42As a performer Mr. Donley enters into the spirit of each composer in a way that impresses and moves music lovers to think as well as hear. * * * Mr. Donley presents the very best of the organ school. * * * In a group which closed with Schubert's "Serenade," he revealed many poetic moods, and in Widor's scherzo he did a brilliant piece of work. In style, tone and delivery Mr. Donley proved himself master of the instrument.—Ohio State Journal, Columbus, Ohio.
44W. H. Donley gave two delightful organ concerts in the Temple of Music. A man imbued with the enthusiasm for his art as he is, must certainly create a contagion wherever he gives his recitals, to spur on other organists. We all admired his warm temperament, fine execution, perfect legato and rhythmic phrasing.—Buffalo, N. Y. Correspondent of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
46Donley's rendering of the "Zampa" overture yesterday was the best effort in orchestration during the entire series of recitals. One could imagine listening to a whole orchestra instead of an organ. The effect was grand.—Daily News, Indianapolis.
48Mr. Donley handles his organ as if it were a symphony orchestra. The bright, colorful tones snap and cry with the suggestion of old violin strings.—Journal, Indianapolis.
50Mr. Donley proved himself a master of the organ in every respect, bringing out most magnificent qualities of the instrument, and producing most beautiful tones in a manner that won the admiration and praise of all who heard him.—Call, Lafayette, Ind.
52The organ of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, planned and supervised by W. H. Donley, was tested by him on last evening. The wonderful mechanical construction of the instrument, as shown by the gifted performer, gave us a truly remarkable exhibition of organ music. It puzzled the average organist as to how the player brought out so many artistic effects.—Fort Wayne, Ind., Daily.
54It was a treat and feast to music lovers and an inspiration to the church fraternity to discover the remarkable power and volume of their beautiful organ, when played by Mr. Donley, whose performance was masterful.—Herald, Erie, Pa.
56The art of Mr. Donley was revealed in its highest form. It mattered not in what school of music, the great digital and pedal dexterity of the player brought forth some entrancing effects. As a manipulator of registration the organist is past master. With the utmost delicacy of shading and with the clear leading of the "voicing," the musicianship of the performer was brilliantly apparent.—Morning Star, Muncie, Ind.
58WANTED.
59$400 CASH will buy Nicolas Lupot violin (1805), Guarnerius model, perfect condition; suitable for soloist. C. H. Hildebrandt & Son, 321 N. Howard street, Baltimore, Md.
61SEVCIK'S VIOLIN METHOD—Certified Sevcik pupil would accept position as teacher; three years under Sevcik in Prague. Address AUGUST MÖLZER, Kronengasse 20-III, Weinberge, Prague.
63CHARLES E. CLEMENS
64ORGAN RECITAL
65106 Euclid Avenue. Cleveland, O.
66FRANCIS J. SADLIER, BASSO
67OPERA, ORATORIO, CONCERTS
68722 THE ARCADE CLEVELAND, OHIO
69RUTH LYNDA DEYO
70Concert Pianist
71Care of Steinway & Sons New York
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