New-York tribune., 1876-01-17
NEW.YORK QUARTET.


The third concert of tue New-YOrk Quartet,
which took place on Saturday evening at Chckering
Hail. was the best yet gwen by this admirable assOcia
ton; and the audience showed both by its numbers and
by the spirit in which the music received incres
ing and an intelligent interest in this cneayOr TO pro
vide regular performances OF chamber music How
indeed could it, without reproach, be otherwise. when
four such artists as Edward nOlenhauer Max Schwarz,
George Matzka, and Frederick Bergner perform in q
style which they feel not unworthy works which
contain the finest thoughts Of the greatest masters,
chiefly Haydn. Mozart and Beethoven and which are
elaborated to point Of high finish which il obtained Ia
no other style Of music The string quartet IL the high
est style OF music in the pures FORM II is almost music
In the abstract free 1t from the foreign nteriusion
OF the song and the accidental color OF orchestral nstru-
mentaon But unlike the abstract generally II is not
cold and formal but rich in feeling aud IN tic hands OF
the great masters enchantinsly graceful in FORM The
establishment Of regular concerts for the performance
OF this musc is important step Of our progress In art
culture and the present iications OF tho success Of
the undertaking give cheering that we nave
public here capable OF appreciating music for Itself
alone, in its very highest development
The concert Saturday evening opened with Schu-
berts splendid trio in Hat for violin. volonccllo, and
o-fOrte-thc great Opus 90 about which Schumann
wrote so enthusiastically. 1t played by Mr. Mollen-
hauer and Mr. Bcrgner with Mr.. Richard Hoffman. who
naturally was called upon 10 take the pano-orte part,
and who as naturally accepted it, When We have said
that the performance worthy OF the composition, we
have said much. Every phrase was played with intel
genco and showed the fruits OF loving study. The slow
movement perhaps the most admirable Of the four,
remarkable for the flowing grace Of its execution
which was contrasted strongly with the sharply cut
phrases OF the Scherzo, movement equally
quaint. brilliant, and difficult, which was played
with admirable precision and spirit particularly by Mr..
Hoffman, who distinguished himself throughout this per
formance by the fine feeling and judgment OF his execu-
ton. lie did rot subordinate lie piano-forte to tho
stgngcd Instruments but, although playing with tho
cover up lie never overwhelmed them with the crash Of
hammers and wires And may well add here that
his Solitude" and Taranelle" yindicated his claim to
position rs a writer OF high merit for the pianoorte 10
less than performer OF rare ability even among
panists Of mark.
Mr. Bergner played as violoncello solo Larghetto by
Nardui written for the violin. Nardm Is composer OF
the old classical Italian schooa school which.
temporarily ecpsed by the fashy modern Italian writ
ing but never forgotten by real musicians, is now
ing forward again into favor with the best musical public
This Largheito written about hundred yoars'agO is
fresh and unantiquatcd in its beauty II It pro-
duced yesterday II is full OF sentiment and grace and
tenderness but there is not in It touch OF weak senti-
mtntalism or passage OF pretentous execution. 1t is
almost needless say that il admirably played by
Mr. Bermcr whose broad, rich. penetrating tone, and
De feet phrlsng with the bow, found fitting opportunity
for their exhibition
Mozars quartet in major which closed the concert
IS orc Of his richest works in this class of composition
The Mnuet ana Trio which precedes the slow movement
reversing we Think the order productive OF the bes'
effect OF Contrasts not so graceful as tle composer gen
orally is In this mOyoment but ii Is iul OF cAafacl'
every phrase makes point IL nhsAt ha'o
been written ny Beethoven. Not so the SO"
moyement There Mozart Is all himself. aud him
self at his best In beauty OF theme, In fulnes'
of thought I'm the finish OF the well-wrouShI
work, this movement OF the great masterpieces Oh
ouortet composition IL has It's composers tender mel
oncholy but IL also strong and deep with deph ana
strength from which he sometimes evidently restrained
himself It WAS admirably played although To couu
not but wish at times for little broader tone and ucber
STYLE from Mr. Mollenhauer in dealing with The second
theme The final movement, Of the most spiehU"
and Imposing ot its class in all quartet miSic was gwen
with grea; e!dn and briliiuoy. II closed appropriately
this delightful and impressive concert "iR WHICH 'H0
audience were evidently delighted.
The artists forming this quartet are, IL Is safe 10 s"
the four best In the country for such an a'sociAo
OF Mr. Moenhauer's and Mr. Bcrgner's ability, the h"'
steal public s well aware but musicians know hat Sil
Matzba as n viola player is without superior, even
he has a rival; and Mr schwarZ has shown at all inc
concerts that he Is worthy Of the place ho holds h'
fine tone makes him always felt when he takes up
pont-somethng which cannot be always sa!d oi
second violin A,.,
We should not omit to say that Mr. Roneyns IoO"''
tenor voice so pleased the audience In Nerdis
Aida" tlat he was recalled twice and conlliea "I''-
| demand for an encore. ~ -, .,., a.,
Tbe fourth concert Of this series will taSe place on
| Feb. IL.
Mr.. waIIACKs NEW CHARACTER.
| N