New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
A uJSSJ\G CHORD.


Il II only n melancholy fancy. or do we really
miss one voice from the quartet; one chord
from the vibrant and inspiring strain with which
the Large and Impressive -Four lately set out
IN hvmn the praises OF our Favorlte Son
throughout the land. The clear tones of Thorn
as C. Platt ring out TO us from Cincinnati-voice
OF Jacob. hand Of Esau and picture of differ
ent Platt-and they have no uncertain sound
at least not now-five months before the conven-
tion. Chaunceys high falsetto perces us with
resistless force on every wind that blows war
per Miller's profound basso, having struck its
keynote with altogether becoming gravity. Is
taking n needed rest. But whcre-Oh. where
Is the rotund middle note Of the mellifluous barry
tone from Syracuse? Why is Iliscock still!
Has he no leading part? Has he been relega'ed
TO the chorus. to come In only when thc whoic
Nation swes the loud acclaim. and all the wind
and stringed instruments Of all our bands ana
orchcstras are making the welkin ring with
.Sec the Conquering Hero Comes:
And what Is this we hear? That after being
extensively advertised as one Of the attractions
Of the quartet he is to be supcrseded-indeed
nav have been alrcady-by Edward Lauter
bach? Can this be done without disturbing
the harmony and breaking up the choir: We
trow not. This should he looked into. For
Frank Uiscock has been a member OF the quar-
tct for many years. And no discordant member
either He has filled. IL not with exuberant en-
thusiasm at least with reasonable diligence and
unquestionng obedience. whatever part has
been assigned him Whatever tune the great
leader has given out, whatever programme he
has seen fit TO announce. Mr.. Hscock has ac-
cepted and followed and never turned hair
He was present at the several rchearsals at
which the opera bouffe now in process or re-
citol was arranged for the stage. why should
he be dropped fr IN the Large and Impressive
-Four; from the admirably assorted quartet? He
Is on excellent terms with the other three-at
least on as excellent terms as they are with each
other And no college Of Roman augurS ever
had such perfect mutual understanding as these
four The same enthusiasm kindlcs them the
same ardent purpose burns in all their bosoms
When for any reason these four fall apart. we
fear trouble will lmpcnd. Then, indeed, will
all things be AT risk.
And why Edward Lautcrbach: He certainly
is not SO handsome as Frank lIiscock. Nor 50
impressive That he is more active we agree.
He has shown more activity during the last
year than any half-dOzen chorus singers that
ever bobbcd in and out Of the wings without
any definite idea whether they were stars or
superuumcrarics But he lacks the sense OF
harmony, Of symmetry. OF proportion. lie never
seems 10 know with anything Ike certainty
whether he Is stage manager or scene shifter;
whether he Is leading the orchestra or singing
n solo: whether he is chorus singer or n ballet
dancer sThis Is his chief drawback. Not the
only one for he has others in profuSion: but this
Is enough He ought not To be inserted In the
place which has been so long and so impressive
" filled by Frank IIscock. He is not big
enough Nor pretty enough. And his voice
well. he has a sweet. small voice smooth, sooih
ing. and as one might say. purng: ana il has
n perennial flow, but II lacks volume: and there
have been two or three occasions during the
last year when ii has broken into something
like "squeal." No. no: II would never do I"
leave Frank IIiscock out Of the quartet and put
Edward I.auterbach in his place. II would be-
very disappointing 10 the public. The choir
must not be broken up. We feel certain that
Mr.. Platt the leader in whom his three asso-
ciates repose no less confidence than the general
public. will upon consideration decide 10 retain
Mr.. IIiscock and put Mr. I.auterbach In some
other place where he can he no less consplcu-
ous but with considerably less noise.