The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10

Vudi 'eI III ID HAT HdJoI' Up 10, NJ. @.,''
"Lento.' for vioionceiIo, solo and strings.
............................ CnOpin
Romance from quartet in minor. Grieg
Quartet in + major, OPP. 81. -DvoralI
The Kneise Quartet took rank as one Of
the principal organizations of it's kind in the
world when it stood the test of comparison
in Europe in 1896. After its present tour 1t
will again go to Europe. sailing March /,
and it is already booked for ten concerts in
London. ten in Holland and others in Paris.
Berlin, Rome ana Norway. Mr.. Kneisel and
the others have many connections with the
musical interests of Europe. 1t used be
their custom to spend their summer vaca-
lions at Ischl. where there colony of
distinguished musicians. Johannes Brahms
and Strauss, the waltz writer, were among
them. And besides, the members OF the
quartet were prominent players on the other
side OF the Atlantic before they came TO
America.
Mr.. Kneisel was born at Bucharest in 1865.
He was educated at the Vienna Conserva-
tory studying the violin under Gruen and
Helmsberger His debut was at q Philhar-
monte concert I'm 1882, and he was later the
solo violinist Of the Imperial Hofburg The
alter. He then went TO Berlin TO be concert
master OF the Bilse Orchestra. He came to
America to be concertmaster of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra, succeeding Mr.. Liste-
mann. Mr.. KneiSel was assistant conductor
under both Mr.. Nikisch and Mr.. Gericke,
and he conducted the orchestra at three
concerts at the worlds fair at Chicago, just
AFTER MI NiAsehs departure Tor Europe.
The following Characterization Of Mr..
Kneisel by Philip Hale, the Boston critic
and programme annotator for the SYM
phony Orchestra, is OF interest:
There are violinists known as solid must
clans that are solid in performance, but
this sOlidity Is without charm; ii is re-
spected, but the nearer wanders in thought,
thinks of the problems of life or sleeps
peacefully during the exhibition of solidity,
knowing the violinist viii finish the piece
in safety. There are violinists of indispu-
table ability that cannot refrain from play
ing to the gallery; they are heard once,
applauded and speedily forgotten by the
Judicious. Now, Mr.. Kneisel is both virtu-
oSo and musician You cannot think of him
phrase for the sake of exciting thought
less, gaping applause. And even If he
should be tempted into playing a piece that
was Inherently embarrassing, you would
find pleasure in the beauty of his tone, the
finish Of his phrasing, the peculiar refine
ment of the performance"
Mr.. Schroeder, as a violoncelist, was self
taught. He was born at Magdeburg in 1855.
He studied the piano with his father and
with Andrea at Bellenstedt, and later had
violin instruction from De Ahne and the
Dry" from Tappert, at the Berlin Hoch-
schulz but he never had a lesson in cello
playing. He practiced the cello with such
zeal and understanding, however, that he
was the first 'cellist of Leiberg's orchestra
when he was twenty years old. Later he
played as 'cellist at Hamburg and Leipsic.
and was engaged for that position in the
Boston symphony Orchestra in 1886. Mr.
Svencenski, the viola player of the quar-
tet, came TO America about the time Mr..
Kneisel came. Mr. Gericke had engaged
them both for the Boston Orchestra. Mr..
Theodorowicz has been I'm this country only
five years He and Mr.. Svencenski We're
educated at Vienna. Starting with the
equipment indicated by these biographical
facts, the members of the quartet have
practiced together so assiduously and en-
Enthusiastically that the unity of their play
ing is as near perfection as possible and
the quality of tone of the degree of purity
that enlightened care and dignitied DELHI
Grafton bring about. The repertory of the
quartet is most extensive, drawing from
the oldest and modern masters.
This will be the last of the series under
the management of Ona Il. Talbot. The
sale of seats opens JAM is at c., III. & d.
office