The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-08
THE FIRST CONCERT
OF HOLMES QUARTET
GOOD CHAMBER MUSIC PLAYED
INTELLIGENTLY.
Mrs. Charles Olcott Richards Was the
Vocalist and Fred Maurer Played
Accompaniment Very Well.

The local musical season is particularly
prosperous this year, both from an artistic
and financial standpoint Follow
ing the tremendous success of the Mfnetti
Quartet comes the Holmes Quartet. and
proves by it's careful work that It is en-
titled to a prominent position in musical
lcircles. Henry Holmes is one of those
reverend musicians whose respect for the
old masters Is so profound that they look
rather askance at the modern lions Of
composition. This reverence does not
however, interfere with the fine taste and
delicacy Of execution which generally ac-
companies the recital OF such adherents
to the old school. and It was therefore
not surprising to fId last evening a uni
formity Of attack and a taste in express
sion which. in q quartet so young in ex-
,perience Qast evening being its first an
'pearance), was indeed very creditable
The programme consisted Of quartet IN
a No. 3, op. Il (Schumann), fragments
of a string quartet iMendelssOhn) and
string quartet in G, No. 3, Op. 80 (Haydn)
The Schumann quartet, with its express
slve movements, was perhaps the best
from an artistic standpoint. It's beauty
consists of that subltmity which sur
rounds all compositions that express
genuine emotion. These very emotional
Characteristics, which Schumann knows
so well how to obtain, make the deepest
impression upon the careful listener and
when the quartet arrives at the adagio,
that movement in which emotion broadens
out as If to seek the air after being i'm
prisoned in narrow walls. requires the
greatest accomplishment Of the musician.
While Mr.. Holmes Interpretation showed
an intimate acquaintance with this class
of work, the quartet did not have suf-
fcient experience to PLAY with that
Tnellowness Of tone which form the main
requisites Of an adagio movement And
l might even restrict this somewhat
harsh intonation to the violins. for the
cello and viola gave quite a smooth tone
The best work Of the quartet was the
Mendelssohn fragment and especially
so the scherzo movement. This was exc
c1Ited with a daintineSs Of expression de-
lightful to behold. The Haydn quartet,
TOO received a creditable interpretation
The first concert of the quartet entities
It to further encouragement, and the
audience present accorded 1t a hearty
ovation.
The vocalist OF the evening was Mrs
Charles Olcott Richards. l do not know
whether Mrs Richards is a professional
singer but her appearance in chamber
music concert subjects her to severe
criticism. Her voice is flexible and clear.
but It is more owing to the excellent man
ner Of her execution than to the quality
of her voice. In fact, Mrs. Richards
voice appears to be built. and whoever
did this building knew his business thor
0ughlv. Mrs Richards would find 1t a
great Improvement if she would use a
better dfction For instance, If she would
let her lips get into natural position IN
stead Of stretching them across, her
teeth: a distinct pronunciation would GER
tainlv be the result of such improvement:
Mrs. Richards sang "Mignon's Lied and
'Geheimes." by Schubert, and 'Dormi
Bella, Dormi Tu," by Clio Battlsta baS-
sani Fred Maurer was the accompanlst'
ALFRED METZGER.