The Express.
London, England, 1856-04-02 00:00:00

MUSIC.

THE MUSICAL UNION.

This society, which has entered upon its twelfth
season, is too well known to require any remarks
from as io the way of description or eulogy. Under
the musical direction, at once spirited mid judicious,
of Mr. Els, it has run a course of constantly in-
creasing prosperity, and its concerti are the favourite
' resort of the most accomplished amateurs in London.
It is almost unnecessary to say that these con-
certs consist entirely of instrumental music; of
pieces which are intended, tot fur mixed popular
assemblies, bet for those whe are not merely lovers but
connoisseurs of music, who have learned to under-
stand and enjoy the moat refined and classical produo-
tiot aof the art. The oratorios of Handel and the
operas of Monist appeal to the *eases and the feelings
of every one whom Nature has made capable of being
moved by concord of sweet sounds;' but the quar-
tets of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn
are addressed to the educated ear and the cultivated
taste; and the pleasure which they bestow, and
the feelings which they excite, are as intense aid
exquisite as those which are given by any class of
I music) whatever.

In the selection of music Mr. Rlla's programmi
present little novelty; and for this he gives a very
sufficient reason. "To those,* he says, " who for the
last thirty years have played or listened to the stan-
dard works of Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven, more
novelty in our programmes would be welcome; but
among a pile of expensive music purchased by us for
exassioatioo, with the exception of a few untried
works by Spohr, there is not a single concerted piece
that could stand comparison with the earliest produc-
tion of the last of Nature's favoured eons in the clas-
sic soil of Germany—Meodelasohn. In the present
dearth, then, of creative genius, we must be content
M repeat known and admired chefrd'euvre." This
is the same plea which we ourselves have often urged
is behalf of the concerts of the Philharmonic Society.
in answer to the charge annually brought against
them of want of novelty. It is because of the pre-
sent dearth of creative genius that the Philharmonic
Society repeat the works of those great masters who
have left no successors in the peasant age (musically
speaking, at all events) of "little aim"
The first concert, aooordingly, of the Musical Union,
which took place yesterday, was made up of well
knows and favourite pieces. It had one novelty,
however,of great interest—the first appearance in
this country of the great Parisian violasoellistr
Franchosse. Considering the influx of contioental
talent into this country, it is rather surprising that
this most accomplished artist has sot paid us a
visit loss ere sow. He bee for may years held the
highest place as a master of his inatrunientin Francs,
and his performative yesterday showed that he well
deserves it.
The programme masted of two Quartets for two
violins, viola. sad violoncello; Messes Seventh in
D. and Beetboves's First of Op. 18, in F; sod of
Mendelssohn's Trio in D Minor, for the piano, violin,
and violoncello. The performers were :—M. Bain-
ton and Mr. Carrodut, first and mood
violin; Mr Hill, viola; and M. Fraschomm,
violoncello. Io Mendelesobn's Trio, the pisadoet•
part was played by M. Halle. It will be men that,
in the selection of these fins piss's, their fifties" for
bringing out the talents d the asoomplished straspr
was kept in view. Is all of them the violoncello
plays a prominent part, full of striking effects sad
beautiful solo pansies. M. Freachomme's perform-
ance was exquisite in every respect. We have beard
greater strength and volume of tone bat sorer, we
think, such a conaltioatioa of sweetness. delicacy,
sad vocal quality. It was often like the elegies of
Mario or Gardesi. And this tom had the farther
fine quality of blending charmingly with these of
the sew Instruments. In style, phrasing, and ex-
itill, IL Fraashommes performasse was perfect.
ige:sr performers, too, played their very best,
and we weld est eves imagine a woes exquieite per-
formance d all the thefe-vrantore we have mentioned.
In addition to his part is the consested piles% IL
Frasehomme played a short solo, esseisting of a
slow movement composed by himself, sad a " Bal-
lade "of Chopin's, arranged by him for his instru-
ment. These he executed with the utmost gram and
delicacy. M. Hank also played a pianoforte sole
in Mammal admirable manner.

TM room was crowded to the doors, sad the wadi-
es., showed themselves delighted with their nter-
Wausau