[This extract from the Freeman’s Journal appeared under the multiple headlines “Manufactures of Ireland – music and the arts/Splendid organ for the church of St Peters, Radley, Oxford./ Telford and Telford, Dublin” — Clare Sargent, MA MCLIP, Head of Library & Archives, Radley College]
In directing attention to this noble instrument, we would speak of it as the publication of a work evidencing the genius of our countrymen, as we announce its completion buy Irish hands the triumph of mechanical excellence and artistic skill achieved by Irish workmen.
The organ – the noblest, as it is the most powerful, of all musical instruments (comprising in its details a series of mechanical contrivances requiring the greatest skill, and containing within its compass practical applications of scientific theory), has been long looked for in its greatest perfection in Germany, and from thence many of the finest instruments in the English cathedrals have been imported. Ireland now sends to England specimens of this complicated musical instrument, pronounced equal to those long celebrated for tone and power imported from Germany. The Messrs Telford have supplied to many of the English churches and colleges, and also to several places of worship in Ireland as well as private mansions, organs of various degrees of size and power, all possessing the desiderata of softness, and brilliancy of tone and faultless mechanism of arrangement. The Messrs Telford have just completed the largest, as well as the most perfect instrument of the kind ever made in Ireland, it being more than half again as powerful as the organ in Patrick’s Cathedral or that in the Jesuit Church at Gardiner-street. This magnificent instrument has been ordered for the Collegiate Church of Radley, Oxford; and no expense has been spared to make it in every way creditable to the genius and mechanical excellence of Irish artisans.
On yesterday, the power and one of this organ was tested in presence of a crowded assemblage of the nobility and gentry of our city and the vicinity, the instrument having been erected temporarily for the purpose, in the large warehouse where it was built. We observed present amongst the crowded audience who attended: - the Duke and Duchess of Leinster, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Otho Fitzgerald, Lord Mountcharles, Right Hon. R Greene, Sir Robert Harty, Bart., the Very Rev the Dean of Lismore, Rev Dr Laphen, Rev WJ Le Fanu, Rev Dr Marks, Captain Gordon, Surgeon and Mrs Kirby, S Maclean, esq., etc.
Mr RP Stewart presided as organist, and put forth the power of the instrument in all its various stops, and showed its combinations of effect produced by new mechanism. The organist played some selections from Mendelssohn, Spohr, Hesse, and other composers. All went away delighted with the beauty of tone and vast power displayed in this splendid triumph of Irish art. We have pleasure in adding the Mr Telford has been entrusted with orders which will keep a large corps of Irish workmen employed during the summer.
Last modified 7 February 2013