The Indianapolis journal., 1904-01-21
The KneiSeI Quartet.

The fashionable audience Of large proper
tions which greeted the Kneisel Quartet at
the ClaypOol Auditorium last night was
treated TO an instructive and uncOnven-
tional programme of beautiful music-music
aiming at nothing but beauty. It was the
first concert ever given in indianapolis by
this justly celebrated string quartet, and
the four instrumentalists more than lived
up to the high reputation that had pre-
ceded them
The quartet Is composed Of Franz Kneisel,
first violin; ]. Theodorowicz. second violin;
Louis Svecenski viola, and Alvin Scroe-
der, violo cello, and each one of these men
is artist of the first rank, capable of
filing the difficult position Of concert So
loist.. But it is as an organization that the
Kneisels. as they have come to be called,
shine pre-eminently; the four instruments
are played in such perfect unison that they
become as one instrument and it is the un-
usual unanimity of purpose that character
izes a concert by this little band of players.
The ensemble performance throughout the
evening was beyond criticism. and this city
has never heard such exquisite chamber
music before.
Perfection of technique, fullness of tone
and thorough understanding or the
thought and intent of the cOmposer-these
features are what make a concert by the
kneisel Quartet a musical evening TO be
remembered. There is no "freakiness In
the interpretations by the Kneisels, for
they are too much in earnest to resort
to that expedient which is so often forgiven
IN great musicians-playing to the gallery.
1t may be argued by some that there Is
lack of passion in their playing at times,
and while this criticism may have some
foundation on fact, still there is anything
but coldnesS in their playing. The tone is
very reason that passionate playing is
Withheld-or perhaps impOssible-there is
never the least "stringiness' noticeable
in their work. 1t will be remembered that
at one OF the concerts In this series the
performance of a really fine cellist was
greatly marred by his seeming inability to
hold his own feelings in reserve. The ear
was shocked occasionally by the "stringy
quality OF his playing, but last night in
the performance Of the Kneisels, the ear
was always soothed as the harmonic
strains fell upon 1T with wondrouS smooth
ness and sweetness.
The programme was a typical Kneisel
programme-the kind for which this ad
mirable organization has become cele-
brated. 1t opened with the Beethoven Quar-
tet In Il fat major, Op. Is, No. 2 work
That brought out the exceptional oneness
OF feeling, of phrasing. and of style of these
tour instrumentalstS who have been play
Ing together for so long a time. The per-
formers appeared to be guided by com
mon inspiration and the large audience
was at once awakened TO a realization of
the thoroughly artistic merit of their in
depreciation of this magnificent compost
ton. The second number was Chopn's
'Lento" for violoncello with the accompa-
niment of the other stringed instruments
1t was the only programmed selection with
a solo part, and Mr.. Scroeder gave a very
musicianly reading of the study, the mel
ody in the bass being rendered by him in
fashion that was rarely satisfying. The
applause was loud and long after this num-
ber and finally the 'cellist responded with
an encore number without accompaniment
-Bach's 'Saralande," from his third suite
which gave further proof of his great abil-
ity.
The Greig Romance I'm CT minor which
opened the second half of the programme,
was, perhaps. the most enjoyable selection
OF the evening. and it was greeted with the
most rapturous demonstration of approval.
Its delicious melody was played in a most
poetic way, and the audience seemed so
deeply absorbed in the beautiful music, and
its equally beautiful Interpretation that a
ditorium. The applause at the conclusion
OF this sublime performance left no room
for doubt to the conquest which the
kneisels had made. The musicians ac-
knowledged the demonstration with the
only extra ensemble number of the even
ing-the andante movement of the quartet
In ID major by Tschiowski. The concert
came to an end with a reading of DIR.
Dvorak's quartet in + major, Op. ga COM
position that is at once romantic and mys-
teriOus, eloquent, thrilling and irresistible
1t was given a most artistic rendering
and was a fitting finish to a musical even
ing that will surely linger pleasantly in the
| memories Of all who were fortunate enough
to be present