The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-24
THE KNtISfL QUARTET


1t would be difficult almost impossible,
to convey in words any adequate idea of
the delightful appreciation Of the ear in
listening to such music as that Of the
Kneisel quartet. They are such perfect
masters and lovers Of their music, their
playing is so absolutely true and harmo-
NOUS and their sympathy is so unique, that
one must hear them to realize the beauty
Of their work.
Much was expected by those who know
anything of the musical world-unhappily,
to Judge from last nights meager audience.
these must be few in this city-and much
was enjoyed. 1t is once more passing
strange that such artists as these should
come and go and that Los Angeles should
only awake to the opportunity after they
have gone. This was true Of the Hensch-
els and the Kneisel quartet will probably
suffer similar fate. No excuse can be
vouchsafed, either, that these concerts
have not been sufficiently advertised or
that the prices are prohibitive. The COM
ing of the celebrated quartet has been an
ticipated by the press for at least three
months and the prices are no more than
asked for an extravaganza or farce COM
edy. And yet It was not poor audience
at the Simpson tabernacle last night, II 1t
was only about quarter of what 1t should
have been. Many well known musical peo-
pie were there-they simply could not at
ford to miss it--and, to use the old stock
phrase, what was lacking In numbers was
made up tor by appreciation. The latter
Is all very nice in its way, but 1t does not
count az do the other things, which alone
~ lw41 teVyo fNW q ~, - a o a
to bring the best talent here. The Kneisel
quartet plays once more, tonight. 1t is
safe to say that almost every one who
heard them last night will seize the Sec
ond opportunity, and 1t Is sincerely to be
hoped that many who were not 20 fortu-
nate will be wise enough to treat them
selves this evening.
The program last night was certainly not
too severely classical. The music was of
such q character and SO rendered as to
compel the respect and enjoyment of even
those who make no pretension of UNDER
standing or appreciating the best music.
Haydn's quartet in D major, op. GA, No. s.;
Beethoven's in g major, op. IS. No. 2; and
Dvorak's in r major, op. 96, comprised the
program, and every note was perfectly
rendered. Kneisel, Roth, Svecensh and
Schroeder play as one man or rather as
one divine instrument and this was illus.
trated in a remarkable way. In the first
movement of the Dvorak number the E
string of Kneisel's violin suddenly snapped.
Instantaneously his three comrades
stopped as If a similar accident had be-
fallen them all. 1t was trivial incident,
but ably proved the absolute sympathy
unanimity--of the quartet that has played
together constantly for eleven years. Each
member Of the quartet Is. of course, a mas
ter of his instrument and 1t is an invalua-
BILE lesson to any student to sit and watch
either Kneisel and his violin or Schroeder
and his cello.
Tonight's program includes Grieg's quar-
tet in G minor, which by request has been
substituted for Borodine's, Schubert's
death and the Maiden" and Schuman's
quartet in A major.