| Another Warmly-Received All-American Organ Recital |
| CORNWALL, NY, JULY 5. Jonathan B. Hall gave a very well-attended and well-received organ recital here last evening. The location, St. John's Episcopal Church, is a Civil-War-era landmark; its 19th-century Seth Thomas tower clock is still regarded as the "official" clock for the village. Hall gave a recital of American composers, representing both the history and the diversity of this country. Composers such as William Selby, James Hewitt, Dudley Buck, Calvin Hampton, and Billy Strayhorn came together in a mosaic of American creativity. The recital included the full-throated congregational singing of the National Anthem and "America the Beautiful," and concluded with a standing ovation. Besides his playing--always at a very high level of technique and interpretation--receiving especially high praise were Hall's spoken program notes.. The town of Cornwall, New York is very conscious of its long history. The theme of this year's townwide Independence Day celebration was the quadricentennial of Hudson's voyage in the Half Moon. The town also features the Sands-Ring House, an 18th-century homestead staffed by docents. Patriotism is very much in fashion, a situation that suits Dr. Hall to a T. St. John's hosted two town events yesterday. Besides the recital, which was in the official schedule of events, the church hosted a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The church was long home to an Estey pipe organ, which is not currently usable. For the time being, the church uses a fine three-manual Allen digital organ with an excellent speaker system. The church boasts a large and active choir, as well as a number of professional musicians employed at nearby West Point. The church is growing, and currently hosts three Sunday morning services as well as mid-week liturgies, Bible study, and other events. |