The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10
Some Good Music in New York
Orch of Record. Troubles
with Union

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK. Jan. S.-The Kneisel Quar-
tet, previous to it's departure for it's visits
TO the larger cities of the West, presented
an elaborate programme at Mendelssohn
Hall Tuesday evening. Mr.. Kneisel and
his three associates were heard alone in a
quartet in F major by TschaikOwslSy, and
they had ten assistants in Bach's ID minor
concerto for two violins and string orches-
ira, and four assistants in Svendsen's octet
in A major for four violins, two vi0las
and two vioIoncellos. Mr.. Kneisel and MIR.
Theodorowicz played the solo parts in the
Bach concerto including the brilliant ca
delza composed by the elder Helmesbergen.
The whole composition was played with the
mathematical accuracy and clarity that
are sure 20 produce the maximum Of or
dered inauguration from the first and final
movements, and appreciation of the lovely
melody of the andante, the middle part.
The Tschaikowsky quartet is not a good
representative Of the Russian master 5
work. for while it's style is pleasing and
tuneful. the purpose seems unimportant
and the whole quartet merely divertng.
The Svendsen octet IS another very mod
ern, very charming and slightly significant
composition. Its melodies, particularly
and its four helpers from the Boston Sym
phOny Orchestra could play them, are fresh
and delightful, but when they have sound
ed their essence, too, has dissipated. The
theme of great musician rings in the
memory.
The New York Symphony Orchestra,
which was reorganized at the opening of
the winter with Mr.. Walter Damrosch as
conductor, Mr.. Daniel Frohman as pres
ident, and Mr.. Leo Schulz vice president.
has had a prosperous season and the
causes are interesting. Mr.. Frohman seems
TO be the only theater manager in New
York that knows good music. For some
years Mr. Damrosch's Wagner lecture re-
citals have been given under Mr.. Froh-
mans management and in Mr.. Frohman S
theater. Mr.. Frohman also is the manager
Of the pianist Ossip Gabrilowitsch and the
phony Orchestra. 1t follows, has had the
advantage Of the best management this
winter. Secondly, Mr.. Damrosch is the
ment that he will talk about music draws
a crowd; he is at once serious and genial,
he looks we'll, moves gracefully, suits him
plays the piano masterfully and recites In
harmony with the undulation Of the melody
he is simultaneously producing.
Mr.. DamrOsch Is almost exclusively a
WaBne1ldn ana the concerns at
Carnegie Hail every Sunday afternoon by
the New York Symphony Orchestra have
been In competition with the Conried Teu-
tonic Metropolitan Opera House. Not only
at Carnegie Hall have Mr. Damrosch and
the New York Symphony Orchestra in
structed the public in 'Parsifal," but also
at the West End Theater. in Harlem, where
one can almost see the northern lights, and
at the Academy of Music, at Fourteenth
street and Irving place, where the opera
was years and years ago. when no one had
the courage to think the Rialto would move
up to Forty-second street. The public has
appreciated the efforts to teach and exem-
plify the higher music and Mr. Damrisch' s
orchestra may be set down as a great sue
cess. Certainly, one removed by distance
or finance from the ownership of a seat at
the Metropolitan Opera House should
thank Mr.. Damrosch and his excellent or
chestra for their messages OF "ParsifaP'
and others of Richard Wagner's music
dramas.
Last Sunday afternoon, at Carnegie Hall,
the orchestra played the wonderful, awe
inspiring fifth symphony Of Beethoven. Mr..
Damrosch tactfully refrSined from pre-