The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-03-13
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
FIRST SUBSCRIPTION CONCERTS.

FIRST SUBSCRIPTION CONCERTS.
Inc first subscription concert given by the
kneisel Quartette. last evening, left nothing
TO be desired. 1t was an evening of unal-
loyed enjoyment from the beginning to the
END. The concert was listened to by an au-
dience that completely filed Congress hall,
and any addition to Its numbers would have
caused discomfort to those present. The
audience was not merely fashionable au-
dience, 1t was composed of those who had
gathered from pure love of good music. And
they were thoroughly gratified, for the mu-
sicians were entirely in sympathy with them.
The programme opened with the beautiful
Kaiser Quartette in major by Haydn. If
ever Father Haydn's clearness of idea and
beauties of harmony, for which his quartette
writing was noted, can be said to have per-
feet example, it is in this composition. But
OF all Its four movements 1t Is the second
that thoroughly captivates the nearer. The
great masters wonderful power is exhib-
tied In every part of it and II he had
written nothing else 1t would have given him
fame and lived for all time. In the Tschai-
kowsky number the audience was so still
that the ticking Of the clock slightly Jared
the nerves Of the sensitive. It was very odd,
with its marked time, its cello accompani-
ment like the beat of muffled drum, and its
strange effect almost like a funeral march.
La contrast was the graceful Mendelssohn
canzonetta that followed. The charming
Haydn Serenade, and bright, joyful Chernb-
mi Scherzo ended the Quartette's share Of
the entertainment.
On the night of March 9th, 1873. Weniaw-
ski. the great violinist, appeared at City hall.
In conjunction with the great pianist, Rubin
stein. and played his own Leoende which
Mr.. Kneisel played last night But the per-
Torrance last evening did not suffer in COM
parison. For, apart from the technique dis
played and delicacy of treatment, Mr.. Knei-
sci threw wealth Of expression into the
work. especially the prayer, If we may call
IL such, near the end, that completely mag
netized his hearers. For an encore he gave
the Spanish dance by Sarasati that so cleo
trihed his audience at the First Parish church
few weeks ago, and with the same effect on
this occasion.
Mr.. Anton Hekking's cello solo, in its
turn, charmed the audience. A Chopin noe
turne played on the piano after such a rem
dering as he gave 1t on his instrument would
prove rather tame affair, and what a con-
trast was the Papillora that followed, with
Its butterfly airiness and brightness. For
an encore he gave another selection of Pop
per's. one Of his suite, which exhibit his
great control over the cello.
The audience was for once not the proverb-
ial icy Portland audience, but it was enthu-
siastic throughout.
KELLAR.
From his first adventures In his present
line Mr.. Kellar has always striven after
something new, and gifted with a natural
aptitude for the work it is not strange that
he has taken the place of leader in the
"black art" as it was once called, and that
he continually presents new ideas and origi-
nal tests. The fact that these are extensive
ly copied is tribute to his genius. Mr.. Kel-
lar will be at City Hall Saturday, matinee
and evening, when he will present many
new sleight-of.hand tricks that are original
with him. The first part Of the performance,
which is all given by Mr.. Kellar in person,
will include the best Of the feats previously
performed with the addition of the new ones
selected As before. Psyche and Echo will
be introduced and put through their feats.
Thep are certainly wonderfully life-like au-
tomato. Mr.. Kellar will end the programme
with dark seance. in which he will show a
spirit circle, the flying guitars, the Foster
ballot test. the holding test, and, in fact, the
most notable feats of the principal mediums
of the country and the world.
PECK's BAD coy.
The Peck's Bad Boy Combination taxed
the capacity of the Portland theatre last eve.
ing. The play is not new one to Portland
audiences, but this is the first appearance
here Of Manager Heath's company and 1t is
only justice to say that 1t would be a very
difficult matter to better any of the charac-
tiers. Instead Of one bad boy they had three,
one for each act. and as a natural conse-
quence twice that number Of good girls. The
scenery was new. The play is full Of songs,
dances, duets and trios We should call
special attention to Miss Annie Martell in
her specially in the second act. The same
company will appear here tonight and Satur-
day afternoon and evening. The popular
prices prevail.
ORGAN RECITAL.
The fourth organ recital of Mr.. Henry q.
Duncan at Congress Square church on Satur-
day afternoon at $50 O'Clock will be of spe-
cial interest. Mr.. Duncan will play the An
dante from Beethoven's fifth symphony.
Mrs. Charlotte F. KEENAN,, the rising young
contralto Of New York. with voice Of won
derful range, will sing. Mr.. Duncan is an
admirable accompanist as we'll as soloist,
and organ music and organ and voice will
make charming concert.
RossINI CLUB RECITAL.
At the recital yesterday forenoon the fol-
lowing programme was rendered:
Plana Quartette, Les Uontrastes. ,Moscheles
MRS. Smith, Mrs, johnson, Mrs. Allen and Mrs
Thompson.
vocal Solo, the Clover Blossoms. Thayer
Miss Rice
Plano Solo, Polonaise OPP, 22............. Chopin
Mrs. DeniSon.
vocal SOLO, Every Morn send Thee Violets..
.....................:... Meyer Helmund
Miss Pennell.s
Piano Duet, Sonata In g.. Mozart
Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. johnson.
Vocal Solo I q. Evening. Observation-Disclosures.
b. There was an Aged Monarch.
MISS Long.
Violin Solo, Scherzo. ..................,,Raff
Miss Goodwin.
Vocal Solo, Flowers. ...................B radsky
Miss Stockbridge.
flano Solo, Rond0 In 4 fat.... Chopin
Miss Blanchard.
Vocal Solo, Gavotte from Mignon ......... Thomas
Mrs. Morrison.
Piano Quartette, Tarantella. ............D ohler
Mrs Johnson. Mrs. ThOmns0n Mrs. Smith and