The Cathedral Music

he development of the Cathedral music deserves a history to itself. A few comments only will be made here.
The first organ had been installed in the second church in 1814. It was a gift from King George Ill, and was always referred to as "The King's Organ". (It was probably this instrument which is mentioned in Thackeray's "The Newcomes".) In 1860 an exact reproduction of this organ was built for the present church by the builders of the original instrument, Messrs. Hill & Son of London. But it had been designed for a smaller building and so was never able to produce a sufficient volume of sound to fill the present church. Besides, its position in the organ chamber shut it off to a great extent from the body of the church.

In 1876 it needed repairs "on account of a heating apparatus having been introduced into the organ chamber, as well as by water from the roof". A hydraulic pumping engine was then installed; at first it had been pumped by hand. An electric motor was put in later.

In 1898 the old-fashioned tracker action was replaced by electro-pneumatic action, by Messrs. Casavant Bros.; the old mechanism had been condemned as far back as 1878; the organists must have suffered many things in the interval.

In 1900 Mr. Hector Mackenzie gave the celestial organ and seven new pedal stops, and the console was moved. In its first position the organist had his back to the choir. It was moved again in 1933, to the present position. The tone of the organ had always been greatly admired, but by the beginning of the century it was recognized that the instrument was wearing out. The mechanism was antiquated and had deteriorated badly, and its position was most unsuitable

In 1920 there was a cri du coeur by the organist, Mr. Wm. Egerton, in a report to the wardens; he described the short-comings of the organ and made an earnest appeal for its rebuilding. Mr. Egerton had been preceded by the famous Lynnwood Farnam (1908-1913) whose comment on the report was as follows: "I feel it almost superfluous to give my opinions regarding the Christ Church Cathedral organ, as its needs have been so much dwelt on by me in the past. "As I have, however, during the last few years watched its growing state of dilapidation and absolute unreliability, I have marvelled that any work approaching the standard that obtains at Christ Church Cathedral should be attempted on it. On the last three occasions 1 have tried the organ I have been filled with dismay and wondered how long it could continue. "Without going into detail I can wholeheartedly endorse and second the remarks made by you in your report of November 11, 1920, and express the hope, long cherished, that the organ may be rebuilt with its parts more effectively disposed, while retaining those beautiful qualities that make it tonally famous. "

Dr. Alfred E. Whitchead, in succession to Mr. Egerton, patiently endured the old instrument throughout his entire term of service, managing in spite of its defects to produce musical services of the highest order. It was not until 1948 that the present organ was built and placed in the position in the chancel which had been suggested by Dr. Egerton. The rebuilding was done by Messrs. Hill Bros. and Norman Beard & Co. of London, whose firm (then Messrs. Hill & Son) had built the original organ. Fortunately, some of the old pipes were found to be still fit for use and are incorporated into the new instrument. It was dedicated as the War Memorial Organ by Viscount Alexander of Tunis, then Governor-General of Canada, on November 17, 1950.

The Organists

A fairly complete list of organists has been preserved, beginning with a Mr. Mechtler in 1791, but many of the early ones are little more than a name to us. In 1830 a note appears that "the organist should find his own blower", to save expense. A Mr. W. H. Warren had an unusually long term from 1839 to 1859, when he was succeeded by Mr. Fred Barnby, who played at the opening of the Cathedral. A good description of this event has been left by Mr. W. S. Humphreys, one of the choir boys.

A Mr. MacLagan (1877-1881) is described as "a great musical genius, though somewhat erratic". He seems to have resigned twice before finally leaving. A Dr. Lucy-Barnes is also spoken of at this time as "a great genius Mr. John B. Norton, son of Archdeacon Norton, held the post from 1895 to 1908, when the Cathedral was fortunate enough to attract Mr. Lynnwood Farnam, whose genius was undisputed and unalloyed. Slightly built, unassuming, almost boyish in manner, his mastery of the organ was complete. It was hardly to be expected that he would stay in Montreal indefinitely, especially as the Cathedral organ was then in such poor condition. In 1913 he accepted a post in Boston, and later went to the Church of the Holy Communion in New York, after serving overseas in the 1914-18 War. But his heart was in Montreal and he frequently returned for recitals. He died in 1931, and it was typical of him that he left a bequest ($2,000) to the Organ Fund. A memorial service for him was held in the Cathedral and also in New York. Dr. Healey Willan was the speaker at the Cathedral service. A group of his friends presented the Cathedral with his bust, by Laliberté; it now stands in the Baptistry.

The Choir

The choir was probably formed early in the history of the Cathedral, but no mention is rnade of the singing until 1821. In that year the Vestry agreed to publish at its own risk a volume of sacred music, to be prepared by the Rev. George Jenkins, then prominent in church music in the city. Mr. Jenkins was Evening Lecturer in Christ Church and also "Chaplain to the Forces". He died soon after the proposal to publish his volume was made, and nothing more was heard of it. Choir practices seem to have been regular; the last time the church was used was for a practice on the night of the fire in December, 1856.

A surpliced choir was introduced in 1886. In 1871 a letter the Montrcal Gazette expressed disappointment that the choir did not wear surplices. This evoked much correspondence, both for and against the change; one writer spoke of it as "holy haber- dashery".

In 1872 the wardens announced with much regret "that they are obliged to organize a new choir, and of necessity it would a paid one". The Vestry authorized the expenditure of $1,000 annually for the services of the choir. However, in 1880 the paid choir was replaced by a purely voluntary one, "with considerable saving".

In 1883 a choral association was organized in connection with the choir, meeting every Friday. In 1885 Professor G. Couture took charge of the choir and put the library in order, getting complete sets of canticles and anthems for a choir of 100 voices, In the early 'twenties the question of moving to another site bound in book form. In 1885 a Mr. Corbett was thanked reorganizing the choir in such short time". Naturally, there have always been frequent changes in personnel of the choir, but some names stand out for long association. In 1872 a presentation was made of a diamond pendant gold necklet to Mrs. Strachan Bethune, who had been a member of the choir for 27 years; her husband Strachan Bethune, Q.C. was also a member for many years, together with Mr. Abbott (later Sir John, Prime Minister of Canada). Others with long service are Miss Louisa Baldwin, Miss Lillian Laughton, Mr. F. A. Bengough, and Mr. and Mrs. H. E. North

The choir has contributed immeasurably to the beauty of our services. Under such organists and choirmasters as Farnam, Alfred Whitchead, Drummond Wolff, and Kenneth, the standard of music has been maintained at a high level.We must not forget that the fine work of the choir depends on ceaseless effort and training.

Text: Christ Church Cathedral