Reports and Awards (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 Excerpt: ...experts, fertile in varied symphonious effects, giving with equal and satisfying success the gentlest and most sympathetic tones, as well as complete and sublimely-full utterances of musical inspiration, has a remote and continuous history, into the minute details of which it is not necessary here to enter, except so far as the manufacture of the instrument in the United States is concerned. Originating in rude form, in the earliest Christian centuries, it is referred to in a Greek epi-gram of the fourth century as "with reeds of a new species agitated by blasts of wind that rush from a leathern cavern beneath their roots, while a robust mortal, running with swift fingers over the concordant keys, makes them smoothly dance and emit harmonious sounds." "The Hydraulicon," or "water-pipe organ," into which, by some unknown method, the air was introduced by water-pressure, gave way in the sixth century to the wind-organ. This, with " its loud sounds produced from divers pipes," had movements made of wood, which, "pressed down by the fingers of-the player, produce the most pleasing and brilliant tones." This not very lucid description evidently points to the organ in its elemental state. In the seventh century it found its way into the church, and, becoming known in Western Europe, grew rapidly into favor and general church use, though having but few pipes and fewer keys, and requiring the united work of several men that "all the wind be pressed In the close confines of the incumbent chest." It is matter of wonder that an instrument whose extraordinary capabilities have been so completely developed within the last few centuries should have remained thus long in so imperfect a condition. Even in the twel...