Charles Donald Maclean

“ Some critics have occasionally complained that Willis voiced the reed stops on so heavy a wind pressure that the flue stops could not contend with them, so that the full power appeared to consist of reed stops only. But Willis's work was always marked by scrupulous conscientiousness and artistic insight. He could make every part of an organ from his own drawings. The workmanship and material of his instruments were admirable, down to the smallest detail, and he may justly be regarded as the greatest organ-builder of his time. ”

“ WILLIS, HENRY (1821–1901) , organ-builder, born in London on 27 April 1821, was eldest of four sons of Henry Willis, a builder, who was a member of the choir of the old Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars Road, and of the Cecilian Society, where he played tympani and bass-drum. Of the organ builder's brothers, George became a celebrated voicer of organ reeds and Edwin was employed in organ building. ”

“ As a performer he was a surviving link with the Mendelssohn period, and his direct testimony to Mendelssohn's style as a pianist (clear and expressive, but almost pedalless) was important. He said that Mendelssohn stood always throughout his two-hour class. As a composer, Goldschmidt belonged to Mendelssohn's era; besides 'Ruth,' his published works were, 'Music, an Ode' (Leeds, 1898) , a pianoforte concerto, a pianoforte trio, and various studies and pieces for the pianoforte. ”