Glen’s Falls in the Apostrophe Era — New pipe organ

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts based on local 19th century news reports before Glen’s Falls dropped the apostrophe from its name.

An ecumenical congregation of about 1,000 people attended the dedication concert of the new pipe organ at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Glen’s Falls on Nov. 6, 1875, featuring H.B. Danforth, organist and music director at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic in New York City.

“Under the artistic and skillful manipulation of Mr. Danforth, the merits and capabilities of the organ were fully brought out, to the delight of the large audience, which, at one time was spell-bound by his sweet and delicate improvisations,” The Glen’s Falls Republican reported.

Danforth, a noted organist and composer on the New York music scene for some time, was described in Dwight’s Journal of Music on May 28, 1864 as “a really fine organist, a hard worker, ambitious to excel, and, above all, an estimable young man.”

Danforth brought along a vocal quartet and select chorus from his home parish, treating Glen’s Falls residents to a flavor of the grand music that was common at St. Stephens.

On Christmas Eve in 1872 at St. Stephens, for example, Danforth conducted Mozart’s Twelfth Mass with a 70-voice choir, double vocal quartet, organ and 23-piece orchestra.

On Easter Monday in 1876 at St. Stephens, Danforth conducted Mercadante’s Mass dedicated to the King of Naples with a choir, vocal quartet, organ and orchestra.

The new St. Mary’s organ had a Gothic case with artificially illuminated front sparkling panel.

Harry Erban of New York City, the manufacturer, attended the dedication concert, which the Republican proclaimed “a remarkable affair.”

“Father McDermott and his church may be well satisfied with the instrument, which is unquestionably the finest in the section.”

Sources: The Glen’s Falls Republican, Nov. 2,9, 1875; The Evening Post, New York City, Dec. 24, 1872; April 14, 1876; Dwight’s Journal of Music, May 28, 1964.

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.

Click here to read a previous post about St. Mary’s history.