The San Francisco call., 1898-05-01
Musical Notes.

William Armstrong of the Chicago Tribune, and one of the foremost mu- sic critics of America, who is now here on flying visit, arranging for a series of lectures to be given next season and incidentally featuring at the Stanford following tribute to Fritz Scheel through Alex T. Stewards music col umn in the Oakland Enquirer:
 The orchestra that played in Oakland last night was not, it seems, the regular symphony orchestra. But with Fritz Scheel at it's head. it is one that may be listened to with pleasure. Five years ago, with his Hamburg orchestra, MT cago. To listen to his readings last night was a renewed pleasure. The man is thoroughly musical; he has so much tenn perament. To hold together the forces that he conducted last night and to get the effects that he did must arouse in creased regard. With an organization of men engaged exclusively for concert work, playing only under one conductor, musical results are far easier to obtain, but MT. Scheel obtains these musical re- suits under adverse circumstances, and in that very point he proves his worth
 In summing up the situation, indeed, a long search would be necessary to find as MT. Scheel. It is a pleasant thing to congratulate San Francisco on it's symphony orchestra, and both Oak land and that city in its claim upon so valuable a conductor
 Mr Armstrong will lecture in Oak land on Monday evening at the Uni- tarian Church, his subject being "Un- published Interviews With Great Mu- sicians.'' The lecture will be supple mented with a short vocal and tnstru- mental programme, largely made up or American composers and interpreted by Alex T. Stewart, John Metcalf ana Mrs. Alfred Abbey.
 The Kneisel Quartet of Boston, com- posed of Franz Kneisel, first violin: Otto Roth, second violin; Louis Svecen- ski, viola, and Alvin Schroeder, cello, will give three chamber concerts at Sherman & Clay Hall on Monday and Wednesday evenings, May 16 and IS, and Saturday afternoon, May 21. The fame of the Kneisels is worldwide and their concerts here promise to make a record in local musical his tory.
 The twelfth and final concert of the present season of the Symphony So- ciety takes place on Thursday next, at 3:15 at the Tivoli. A magnificent pro- gramme has been arranged as fitting close of the most successful symphony season ever given in this city. The nov city will be the first performance in this city of the symphony Harold in Italy, by that master of orchestration, Hector Berlioz. This symphony was written T desired a composition in which to show his skill on the beautiful but rare instrument for soloists the viola. or alto The part of Harold in this work is taken by the solo viola and Bernat Jaulus has been selected for the task The symphony is in four parts.
 Another notable work on the pro- gramme is Tschaikowsky's serenade for strings. The Kaiser March by Wag- ner and Weber's "Jubel" overture. which closes with the hymn that we Americans call America will end and commence the concert.
 James A.sKeane a young actor of this city, who more than once has fig ured prominently in local amateur per formances, is now a member of James O'Neill's company. The Portland crit ics are enthusiastic in praise of his conception of Albert Mercedes son) in Monte Cristo," the critic of the Ore gonian saying that the part could hardly be better played by any one.