Letter from T. Frederick H. Candlyn to Ernest M. Skinner

Dear Mr. Skinner,

Your letter of August 13th received today. First of all, don’t think that I shall ever allow Aeolian-Skinner to rebuild St. Thomas’ organ as a baroque. The name is anathema to me, and I certainly would not tolerate such a travesty in regard to your art.

I have, as you know, only just been appointed at St. Thomas’. Apparently your men have not done a good job there — nor have they at St. Paul’s, Albany. The Chimes at St. Paul’s — which I very seldom use — are almost unplayable owing to the number of silent notes. Seeing that you installed a new mechanism, the Vestry naturally wonders why the Chimes are so unreliable. Personally, I don’t give a damn, but the corporation does, and it is a tough job to explain that “E.M. Skinner gave us a new mechanism in regard to the Chimes, and it just doesn’t work!” It is a little bit better since the generator has been changed — but still the Chimes don’t function properly.

I shall always stick by the firm of Ernest M. Skinner — that is if E.S. delivers the goods. If he does not — and he didn’t in regard to the Chimes at St. Paul’s, Albany, I shall certainly look elsewhere, but I shall always stand by you in regard to the tonal scheme at St. Thomas’.

Faithfully yours,
T. Frederick H. Candlyn