New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-04
THE KNEISEL QUARTET.

Last night in the Mendessohn Glee Club Hall, the
members Of the Kneisel Quartet gave one more Of
their admirable concerts. The minstrations OF
these artists are always put at the service Of
high IDEAL and the character of their latest pro-
gramme was we'll calculated to win them again the
cordial greeting to which they have grown accus-
toned on their periodical visits to New-York They
presented three compositions, two Of them well
known and one production heretofore unbeard in
this city. The concert began with Beethoven's
quartet in major op. 49, and ended with the
sextet in fiat major op. IS. of Brahms. Between
the two a suite for violin and piano by Emile Ber-
nard introduced for the first time. and
musician also unfamiliar to local concert rooms.
Ernst Perabo. came forward to assist Mr. Kneisel
in his work. The labors of the latter and his COL
league were well bestowed and gave pleasure.
though they did not wake enthusiasm.
The suite by NJ. Bernard is spirited. compacty
written piece Of music not profound in feeling. ana.
indeed, revealing no great range OF design on the
part of the composer but If the latter has little of
Importance to say. he is at least intelligent and
clever within lis narrow boundaries The form he
has employed is not commonly regarded as sacred
by the men who use It to-day, and they have often
made II the vehicle for highly discursive invention
NJ Bernard is content TO handle his material with a
certain reticence. certain thematlc sef-respect'
and he brings his audience to the conclusion OF the
last and most movement with sense OF
having been plausiby entertained This composer
can be bref-so brief that the hearer forgets tnat
at the best there nothing Of consequence IN the
suite, and is glad to have noticed graceful phrase
here and there, tac;fuy placed with reference to
the constructive character OF the whole production
The two voices in this suite are skiIfuly balanced
and this was ma e especially apparent last night
BY the studied cooperation of Mr. kneisel and MI
Perabo 1t is doubtful If the latter would prove a
particularly nspriting pianist II left TO himself He
has a quick nervous touch which was in keeping
with the music ne Played last night. but, neverthe-
less provokes doubt TO his success with any work
requiring a mellow. singing tone. He Is curt
brisk player. Yet he conrived. in spite OF his i'm
pulsiye style, 10 keep well in harmony with Mr.
Enelsel and supplied the very background DEMANDED
by the mature and rounded art OF the latter. Mr.
Kneisel and his familiar associates were al at
their best during this concert, and played the Bee
thoyen quartet with feeling so deep, finish so
exquisite that its ravishing poetry rose 10 the sur
supremey beautiful composition, with its sealike
horizon, obscured ftfully. II at ALL by the subtest
m.sts OF emotional tenderness, but the reverence
and penetration Of these musicians in dealing with
the work certain stir the synpathies to new
realization OF its power The great merit OF the
ful field for discussion long after its tech
Last nights music, finely played, but
II was also finely felt, interpreted with au-
thority with a charm, for which lovers OF chamber
music here must be sincerely grateful. Whether
renewing the austerc enchanment OF the Beethoven
quartet or setting forth the strenuous concepts OF
ton of intellectual power or proclaimng the fe-
Ncity OF pure inspiration. the Boston men command
the highest admiration for the ardor and insight
with which they attack their work. The next con-
cert will be given on March 81, when Mr. Joseny
will also appear