The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-26
BOSTON'S QUARTET PLAYERS.
FIRST CONCERT or MR.. kNEISEL'S
ORGANIZATION.
A New second ViOlinist Makes Ills Appear.
understandable Interesting Quartet
In 4 sharp MinOr-Ossip GabrilO.
witsch the SOlOist Of the Evening.

The Kneisel Quartet Of Boston gave the
| first concert of its elev, M h season in this
city at Mendelssohn Hall last night, De-
| spite weather which has come to be ASSOC
| ciated in the minds Of lovers Of music with
the presence Of this quartet within our
gates, the hail was filed and outside Of it
the line Of carriages extended to the centre
| Of the block around the corner in sixth
| avenue. There was time when seats
| could be had for the asking at Kneisel
| Quartet concerts, and on the whole New
| York music lovers We're never so slow TO
| discover the merit Of anything else az they
were to perceive that Of this admirable
| organization.
But they know it nov and JOY is uncon-
fined. such ohes,e and refined perform
anc,s az these gentlemen from Boston
| offer are among the choicest pleasures
| Of the winter Of music and ZACH visit brings
with it host Of fragrant memories and a
| fresh and gladstone welcome. The pro-
| gramme Of last evenings concert was de-
| lightful. Ii consisted Of Sgambatis string
| quartet in { sharp minor, opus II; Aren-
sky's trio in ID minor for piano. violin and
| cello. and Beethoven's familiar quartet
| for strings, opus Is, No. 4. in { minor The
pianist vas the young Russian, Ossip
| GabrilowitsCh.
On Nov. 81 1894, the kreisel men played
| the Sgamhatl quartet, but II was described
| on the programme a. ia ID fiat minor Mu-
| -icians are aware that on Instruments
| tuned in the equal tempered scale. for
| which modern music Ii written, ID flat and
| { sharp are eihaTmonically the same rote.
| The programme description undoubtedly
| arose from tho fact that the composer
takes the liberty Of beginning his COMPOST
| ton with the signature Of five fats. which
| as every amateur knows, is that Of III"
key Of ID fiat Never, helees, the quartet
il III the key Of sharp minor. All Of which
Il Interesting ar a matter OF record. but
| hardly of vital importance in the con-
| sideration Of the value of the music.
The first movement of this quartet il
| wide depart uie from the classic form
and lis organism il rot patent. II is rather
| a medley of melodies, related TO one al
| other by transit ions Of harmony and feura-
| ton, than a piece of thematic develop.
| meut in the old sense. Yet it is wonder
| fully attractive to the hcarer. II is filled
| with warmth with passionate yearning
with pulSing thoughts ard with opulent
| suggestive harmonic combinations. II has
moments of real potency and il straI gcly
moves the bearer. who cannot, perhaps
| fathom its design
| The second movement is easier Of com
| prrhension, This L. scherzo Of Capti
| waiting grace aud piquancy. IL has en-.
| chanting rhythm and high coloring. Thu
| slow movement, which follows, il a serie.
Of variations on sombre, penet ratnl
melody, and il written with much feelnl
| and fine skill. The last movement il tn,
least spontaneous of the four In so far a
development goes. but i, has some strength
in the thematc matter. The quartet a,
a whole is intensely modern IL aim,
at making the string quartet speak IN,
language Of dramatic passion, and il intro
duccs effects likely to shock Conservatiy,
ears. But these are times of progress
and Sgan bat well, he was n friend anC
admircr Of Wagner. who returned IN,
esteem. Sgambatis music does not souuC
ike that Of an Italian. Neither does i
sound like that Of any other composer
Despite the Wagner friendship. IT Is thor
oughly original.
Areu.ky ; rio il no stranger here. II Il
pleasing composition, Of no great pro
fundty but well made. except for the pre-
yaiii.g hrlliaEcy Of the piano part. Tn,
temptation offered by this To virtues,
was too strong for MIR Gabrilowit-Ch. VIII.
revealed IL the souorous chords of the frs
movement and the purlirg Iurs Il In,
| -cherzo 10 the discontinue Of the tone Of
the strings. He played superbly. but
there was something too much Of him
| Why DO not piari~'s realize what a resoIiato'
for their Instrument Mendclssohr Hall l.
aud keep IN" lid Of IN" piano closed whcr
plaviug chamber music;
The Sgambati quartet was beautiful,
! played. and J Thedorowic7. the new sec
oud violinist Of the quartet, who made
, his first appearance here disclosed him
self "a n thoroughly competent artist Will
n fine tone and a sound knowledge Of 81
] Scnble work