The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-03
MUSICAL AFFAIRS.

The artist recital at the Matinee Musicale
yesterday afternoon was given by the
Marien String Quartet, of Cincinnati, and
Miss Louise Byram of Liberty, Ind The
string quartet is composed of four OF the
best musicians in Cincinnati, and they have
been working together long enough TO have
their playing sound as instruments per-
formed by single person. The extremely
classical compositions which form their
repertoire of chamber music are artisticaIy
performed by them. Mr.. Marien, the first
violin plays with q sympathetic bow and
a broad understanding of the composer, and
he is ably seconded by George Dasch, sec
ond violin; Richard Schliewen, viola, and
Limo Mattioli, violoncello. Their playing of
the four movements of the Mozart GUAR
tet in c Major, No. H. was perfectly mod
ulated and phrased. The answering voices
of the instruments, as they responded to
the changes and rhythm. now carrying the
theme and then forming the accompani-
ment were admirably attuned to the lead
ing first violin. The andante was measured
and majestic, the harmonious theme of the
andante cantahla was given with style,
the menuetto added its part and the motto
allegro Sparkled and flashed, the instru-
ments giving expression to the varying
musical thoughts. The finale was a trio in
d Major, by Beethoven. q ''Serenade" in
seven movements, and it was finished
performance. The instrumental soloist MT
Mattioli, owing TO delay in the arrival of
music stands, had to open the programme
with violoncello solo, and he played a
"Litany." by Schubert, written as only that
master composer could have written 1T, and
Vito" by Pepper. Mr.. Mattioli has true
genius for his instrument, and it was a
question whether It had the rich tones of
the cello or the higher. thinner tones, of the
violin, adjusted was his bow to the diff
ferences in the character of the two num-
bers. For clear smooth playing, Mr Mat
toll is one of the best heard in this city
Miss Byram has but recently returned to
this country after studying In Europe. Her
voice is q pure. clear, high soprano, hexl-
BILE and Of considerable sweetness She Is
more admirably fitted for high, elaborate
singing than for parts requiring dramatic
pEwer Her songs for 3ro the h af6ernGon IN
Figaro by Mozart the ''Solvejgs Lied by
Grieg and Spring" by George Henschel.
good, and, in fact whatever she did in
florature style was much better than that in
subdued tones Miss Byram has pleasing
Last evening the Marien Quartet repeated
its success of the afternoon. Mr.. Mattioli
RIaysS Asnotsne BY b prgS ass and M
Marlen was heard in a solo, giving a
Reyerisan BY LANCER and ,.,S 9;1' by
playing is at all times characterized by
breadth and sweep only possible with the
educated musician Liquid melody might
we'll be- a term used to express the tone
which Mr.. Marien produces He is quiet in
manner and plays with ease and grace, and
Is a most acceptable yioliniat to the genuine
lover of the art The quartets were the
''B fat OPP is, No. g. by Beethoven; the
"B Minor" by Karl Dittersdorf and the
I'D Minor, Op Posth," by Schubert.
The New York Sun has the following to
say of David Bispham. one of the artists
engaged for the Indianapolis May festival:
about fifty years ago Matinee-idol David
Bispham was a little boy living in Philadel-
phia. He was the son of Quaker parents
of the strictest orthodox type. All his FORE
bears had been of the same ascetic, art
sacrificing stamp, and 1t is therefore the
more curious that their descendant should
have won renown in q field to which he had
no right by the laws of heredHy. Quaker
citizens of that time remember the baritone
a beautiful brown-eyed boy, with never
a hint of the musical ability that has since
developed itself and so successfully deter
mined his career. Then, as now, Phladel-
phians were most interested In knowing
that he was of extremely aristocratic birth.
His mother was a Scull,' was the observa-
ton that you heard over and over again in
the Quaker City Academy of Music a few
months ago, and II WAS always uttered in
tones of Words-can- Como further praise.
What mattered it whether his staccato
notes had too much or too little snap? or
that his Wolfram was the finest seen on
any stage for long time?-'IIis mother
was a Scull.