The subject of this paper is, I am aware, a little outside of the usual programme of the Musical Association, as it deals partly with matters of building and architecture; but it is of some consequence that music should be heard under the most advantageous conditions, and some of those whom I am addressing may have to decide on some occasion on the choice of a plan for a concert hall, and I should be glad if I could think that any of the suggestions I have to make may be of use to them in the future. The construction of theatres for opera I am purposely leaving on one side; opera is a spectacular as well as a musical business, and the theatre is a special class of building, which would demand a paper to itself. We are here considering only the question of hearing music.

The main object of this paper is to consider the treatment of the organ in accompanying chorus and orchestra in combination. A word may be said first, however, as to the organ and the orchestra in instrumental compositions. Handel, as we know, wrote concertos for organ and orchestra, of some importance in their day, in which the organ was treated—as the pianoforte is treated in a modern concerto—as a solo instrument alternating with the orchestra, or partially accompanied by it. This combination, however, does not seem to have been often attempted since.

If some apology is required from an amateur for offering some remarks on this subject to an audience partly, at least, composed of professional musicians, I may say that perhaps few persons can have given more time and thought to this particular subject than I have. For a good many years of my life the study and practice of Bach's organ compositions was my principal recreation, especially with the view of getting all the effect from them for which a modern organ affords the opportunity; and there are none of the larger and more important compositions which I have not tried over and over again, in various ways, with this object. The suggestions I have to make, therefore, are at all events not hastily arrived at.