New-York tribune., 1906-11-14
MUSIC.
THE KNEISEL QUARTET.

There was old and IN the Offering which the
Kneisel Quartet made at its first concert Of cham
Der music in Mendelssohn Hall last night. Four
teen years az the goodwill OF the refined music
lovers OF New York were represented by the audi
ence fourteen years II growth in affectionate ad-
miTation for the organization and the class of nu-
sic which it cuItivates also Had the room been
larger there would have been more listen. but
walls unyielding and Mr.. Kneisel will not con-
sent to the opening Of the aneroom lest the acoustic
properties of the hall be impaired and the quail
ity Of the music deprecated fer his subscriber
an admirable spirit which has always spoken out
Of his performances and which spoke out eloquent
" last night. The cid in the concert scheme con-
sisted Of Schubert's Quartet in D minor. with its
ravishing variations the melody OF his song,
Der Tod und das Madchen." It's NibeluGg Scherzo
and its most frocsorne Of all quartet fnales Also
Of Saint Sonata for panoforte and viclon-
cello the old one in c minor Oo. 30. Here an ele-
ment Of new interest was added by the enlistment
OF Dr. Otto Neitzel, Of Cologne, TO play the piano
forte part the cello part being cared for Of course,
by him who is facie pTtnceps among chamber
music ceilsts-Alwin Schroeder. The new in the
list Of pieces was represented by a quartet in a
major. by Glare. a Russian. OF whose quality as a
composer New Yorkers had already had taste
under less distinguished conditions
Concert reviewers have long since wearted OF
carrying Goals 10 Newcastle by prastug the per-
formances of the Kneisel Quartet. The finest trib-
ute which they can receive found IN the rapt at
tention and the applause of such an audience
as that which IS in attendance on every concert
II honored DR. Neitzel with its cordial approval
and he did honor himself and TO the composer by
his playing BY playing he did he showed HIM
self more than n vrtuoso. II was the keen. anaiy-
teal, intellectual musician who played. one who
could not, because he would not. indulge in single
incontinence for the sake Of effect because he knew
that by doins he would msinterpret the composer
and dishonor his intelligence Warmth Of sentiment
he could not infuss into NJ. Satnt-Saenss measures
because warmth Of sentiment did not inspire them
But there in his performance a fascinating
exposition OF the composers logical processes and
OF their resultant beauties. There was also as
! perfect exhibition OF sympathetic meeting OF
minds in the ensemble as that which marked the
| rea ding OF the old quartet and the new The lat
ter was as ngratiating a specimen Of the Russian
school has been heard from any except the Few
! giants produced by that school Not large either
! in thought expression, but refined, aPpreciatv'
and cumulative OF ideals that still retain their love
liness spite OF the stressful spirit OF the day
| The quartet is Russian in theme, echoing. in IT.
first movement especially the voice Of the people al
| IL may be heard IN their dance songs, but Will
/ none Of the rldeness which publishes the people,
| melancholy desperate gayety. A charming piec
OF music which will be welcomed when next it ap
| pears in q local concert scheme. H E. X