Hook & Hastings Organ (1928-1967)
Hook & Hastings, Co.
Opus 2535
Contracted in 1927, Installed 1928 (removed 1967)
4 manuals; 3000 pipes,
Including Deagan Chimes (25), a gift valued at $13,750 in 1928
(and reincorporated into the 1967 Moller)
Echo organ division
Total cost: $24,780.00
Dedication recital played by Harold Gleason (1892 – 1980), Eastman School of Music
Thursday, March 15, 1928 (the first church service was held Sunday, March 11, 1928)
Program:
Trumpet Tune and Air – H. Purcell
Ave Maria – Arcadelt
Dialogue – Clerambault
Chorale Prelude on “Rejoice Now, Ye Christians – J.S. Bach
Piéce Heroique – C. Franck
Dawn – Lamare
Andante Cantible – C.M. Widor
March of the Gnomes – Stoughton
May Night – Palmgren
Liebestod (Tristan und Isolde) – Wagner
Benediction Nuptiale – Saint-Saens
Ariel (after a reading of Shakespeare) – Bonnet
Londonderry Air – Traditional
Oriental Sketch – Arthur Bird
Evening Song – Schumann
Toccata on “Thou Art the Rock” – Mulet
Local press articles on the dedication recital:
THOUSANDS HEAR ORGAN CONCERT by M.H.W. (date of article unknown)
If S.R.O. signs were standard equipment for churches, the First Methodist church last night would have used its sign and a brief while later would have announced that even standing room was not available. The occasion for the audience, estimated at nearly 2,500 people, was the appearance in concert of Harold Gleason, of the Eastman School of Music at Rochester. It was the first concert on the new $25,000 organ.
House Packed
Not only was every seat in the commodious auditorium occupied, but chairs were placed in the aisles and persons stood in the remaining space in the aisles. The recital was delightful. Mr. Gleason played with a dexterity and a finesse that has placed him in a class with some of the best of the nation’s organists. He showed an ability to interpret intelligently music of almost every variety. His technique was perfect.
Selections
His choice of selections was, to say the least, unusual. The only number familiar to the entire audience was the last one – Handel’s “Largo”. This came as a special number for it was not listed on the program. Of the other numbers, the “Chorale Prelude” by Bach was perhaps outstanding. The First Methodist Church would render the community a service were it to schedule other organists of caliber equal to Mr. Gleason’s to play on its magnificent instrument from time to time.
GLEASON LAUDS 1ST METHODIST CHURCH’S ORGAN – Private Organist of Eastman here for recital in church this evening – Varied Program. (Thursday, March 15, 1928)
A high tribute to the beauty of the recently completed First Methodist Church and its pipe organ was paid by Harold Gleason, concert organist, of Rochester, NY who came here this morning to give a concert this evening at the church as the concluding event of the five-day opening program.
Mr. Gleason, who is the private organist of George Eastman, millionaire manufacturer of photographers’ equipment, spent much of the morning at the church in company with Eugene Craft, the church’s organist, and familiarized himself with the new instrument. “I am simply delighted with the appearance and the acoustics of this church,” said Mr. Gleason. “A great deal depends upon acoustics in bringing out the beautiful effects of organ music. This organ, too, is very favorably located. I have observed in my travels the many architects and church committees do not give the proper consideration to the location of the organ, and many fine instruments consequently are handicapped. Particularly fine is the ensemble of this organ,” continued Mr. Gleason, who is a member of the faculty of the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. “The ensemble is rich and churchly, and also the voicing of the individual stops is very beautiful. The organ is equipped with a very effective echo organ.”
Mr. Gleason turned the conversation to the trend of American interest in matters of music, and declared there is a general increase in public interest in organ recitals. “Perhaps it is because we have better organs and better players,” he said.
Commenting on the program for the recital tonight, Mr. Gleason said it will be “very varied and designed to show off every quality in the organ and give something for everyone to enjoy regardless of taste and preference in music.”
Mr. Gleason said he intended to leave late tonight for Rochester.
The recital will begin at 8pm. Dr. W.W. Peele, pastor of the church, said the music loving public of Charlotte will be welcomed to attend this event.
Promotional note:
Hook & Hastings published a promotional brochure in 1927 containing 3 loose sheets of photograph inserts, one of which taken from the balcony of FUMC’s chancel and part of the nave, and the Hook & Hastings console is visibly positioned to the right end of the choir.
(Information gathered from ”First United Methodist Church”, by Mildred Morse McEwen, ©1983; “The Hook Opus List”, published by the Organ Historical Society and compiled by William T. Van Pelt, ©1991; and from the Archives of FUMC.)