The sun., 1888-12-14
<MUsEnrENTS
Aretropolitan Trio Club.

II there is dearth Of any sort OF music in
this most musical OF cities the lack consists In
an absence OF admira Bile chamber concerts, and
In this kind OF performance. which. to ali
true lovers OF tho art. is form supremely
enjoyable. the trio for piano, violin, and
cello comes forward as the most available and
delightful. For these three instruments every
composer has scored somo Of his choicest
thoughts, and there is an immense collection
OF works from which to select.
The trio proper was originally called Sonata
a tre," being. in fact a sonata for three instru-
ments This form OF composition has been
written for q variety OF instruments. as. for in
stance. besides those for strings, Handels trio
for oboe. VIOLIN and viola; Beethoyen's for two
oboes and English horn. and such unusual
combinations as those OF Reicha, for three
'cellos and three horns. and Kuhlau'e
for three flutes. The tone OF so small
n number OF instruments naturally Ia
bors under the disadvantage Of giving
out only poor and insufficient body OF sound
and It was not until the pianoforte became a
component part OF them that trios were bcnuti-
ful. When this friendly orchestral muium in
porro. the piano. with its rich possibilities OF
harmony. was at last united with tho singing
power Of the violin and the rich plaintiveness OF
the cello; all other kinds of tri9s were forced
into the background. where they have ever
since been. and must remain.
The cSnssrs Sen, ast Hngt in sx
dix. and Victor Herbert was an admirable eN-
position Of the and Of
Miss Emily Winant as soioist. who sang with
splendid force and richness OF voice a striking
ly beautiful aria by Saint, ,Satns. and songs BY
earnest feeling displayed by the artist and her
nobility OF tone COMPENSATED IN great measure
hold f1 her notes a1a i aiwass in Absolute Control
=, Mr.. Bendix made n very welcome addition to
the programme In the share OF Beethoven's
Sfeadih and purity Of tons and praise worthy
discretion in shading and expression, this deli
and taste 6sns greatly
mans judiclous pianoforte accompaniment.
Mr. Herman's accomplishments in this field
long since he has shown the real rosition ho
can command as solo pianist: Those who
heard the concert last evening will not hesitate
tuoso players Of the instrument. HIS touch is
soft. sympatbetic. and strong. and while he does
entire 'i ife 1 to the mastery Of pane technies
yet there seem to be no affriGhting difficulties
which he cannot easily grasp and overcome.
both long. containing four movements each.
and excellently contrasted in style. :, The first.
similar Works IS very and ns
Interesting. sometimes ,contrapuntallv ambi-
ious, at all times well written, but by no
meane to be compared in beauty to the one by
GODDARD with which the concert ended This is
ike q gorgeous Towering garden. or piece Of
ornate architecture. 1t Is filed with the most
ornamentation and twining ara
besQues throughout its entire length: and the
Scherzo. the third movement. is q pure gem.
GODDARD is always delicious in the refinement
and polish OF his work.
1t seems difficult to imagine how these trios
,ould have been better rendered. Neither of
.hese three artists have q supernuity
of sentimental feeling which could cause them
70 exaggerate effects-thev are all men OF in
.eliGence. and OF straightforward. honest ppr-
oose Their characters showed in the healthy.
resh spirit Of their renderings. and there was
! perfect sympathy and understanding observ-
shle In their ensemble playing.
Thenext concert Of the Metropolitan Trio
Club is to take place on Monday, Jan. IA. 1889.