The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-21 00:00:00

friUs:tC.

SOCIETY OF BRITISH JiUSICIANS.
This society had their second chan:bt'r concert of
this season on Monday evening, at Erat's Rooms, in Bernees.
street. It cansisted, as usual, of a selection of voral sod
instrumental music, composed and performed chiefly by
members of the society. The performance began with
Mozart's quintet in A, for clarinet principal., two violins,
viols, and violoncello, played by Messrs. W. Lazarus,
Banister, T. Watson, Weslake, and Guest. This piece is
one of the many beautiful things which Mozart wrote in
order to oblige performers to wham be wished to be of
service, which were surreptitiously printed, and enriched
piratical music sellers, while he never derived tho small-
est benefit from them. It is most generally known
among amateurs sus • quartet for the pianoforte
and stringed instruments ; but to ha fully enjoyed,
it must be heard in its original form. It is simple, and
even familiar, in its style, but it is full of Mozart's exquisite
grace and delicacy. It was exceedingly well played, the
clarinet part being charmingly executed by Mr. Lazarus.
A very pretty song, composed by Mr. W. Watson, entitled
Ah, that I could wing my way," was sung by Miss M.
Wells, a young vocalist of much promise. She has a rich
and powerful contralto voice, and sings with energy and
feeling. What she has yet to gain is greater smoothness
and evenness of tone, with a more finished execution ;
things which we have no doubt she will acquire in due
time. Mr. Redfearn, a young tenor-singer, appeared to
advantage in a pleasing, but not very original canzonet,
Ah, deem not that my heart is vain," composed by Mr.
11. Graves. Mr Redtearn has the qualities necessary
to make a good singer, but must study to ac-
quire polish and quietness of mannir. A very
nicely-written duct, " Music," by Mr. Charles E.
Stephens, was sung by Miss Wells, the young lady already
mentioned, and her sister. The latter has a sweet, but not
very powerful soprano voice, which was overpowered by her
sister's strong contralto. When these sisters sing together
(which they will do very prettily) the stronger voice must

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accommodate itself to the weaker. A MS. trio for the
pianoforte, violin, and violoncello, composed by Mr. Agui-
lar, was ;.erfirmed by the author, Mr. Banister, and Mr.
Guest. It is a masterly work; bold and striking in its ideas,
and admirably written for the different instruments. It is,
however,ezceediogly difficult; and, though well executed on
the whole, yet some of the passages would have been all
smoother for a little more rehearsing. The adagio, which
opens with a charming theme fur the violoncello, was espe-
cially effective. A quartet for two violins, viola, and
violoncello, composed by Mr. liabert Barnett, was
a very favourable specimen of this young cow
poser's talent. He has wisely taken Haydn and Mozart for
his models, and, though he does not seem as yet to have ac-
quired much originality of style, yet this quutet is exceed-
ingly pure, clear, melodious, and constructed with eleganoo
and symmetry of form. Its effect, as a whole, was very
pleasing and satisfactory. Mr. Walter Bolton, of whom
we have had occasion several times of late to speak in very
favourable terms, sang Vincent Wallace's song, " In happy
moments ;" and Barnett's beautiful trio from The Moun-
tain Sylph, " This magic-wove scarf," was sung by Miss
J. Wells, Mr. Redeem, and Mr. Bolton. Mr. Griesbach's
Diecetto" for the pianoforte, with stringed and wind in-
struments, a most masterly work, formed the concluding
article of the programme. The concert altogether was
highly interesting, and the performances were warmly
applauded by a full room.