New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-03
MUSIC.
THE KNEISEL QUARTET.

The kneisel Quartet Is always generous IN It's
offerings far more generous. indeed. I'm the mat
ter OF novelties and assisting artists than its pa
irons, who love the classics and the beauty Un-
adorned of Mr.. Kneisel and his fellows. care for;
but il ended its fifteenth subscription season In
MendelssOhn Hall last night with an unusual OUT
pouring OF riches. Nine. Helen Hopekirk, a piano
forte player who lives in aiable recollectOns here.
was brought from Boston to help in the per-
Torrance OF novelty. and Messrs. Max Zach
viola, and ]. Keller, vi0lOncellO. also came from
the home OF Major HigginsOn's orchestra, OF
which they are members. 70 take part in a move
ment from Mr.. c. NJ. LOefler's sextet for strings
and work by Brahms OF like composition To
add 70 the jOyOusness OF the function TO Mr. Alvin
Schroeder, the Quartets 'ceIist who Is 70 take
his departure from America at the close or TINS
season. was yielded the unshared platform that ne
might receive expression OF the grateful appre-
citation his share OF the exquisite pleasure which
the playing OF the organization has given during
all but one Of the many years in which II mas
minstered 70 the lovers Of the lOttiest and purest
form OF instrumental music. Under such cireum-
stances the concert could not fail 70 be one or
extraordinary interest
The music played Gabriel Faures Piano
forte Quintet in ID major, the movement. already
described, by Mr.. LOeffier, Bach's unaccompanied
Sonata in major for viOloncellO and Brahms's
Sextet in g major, for two viOIins. two viOlas and
two viOloncellos. The first number was novelty
here II is French music but its composer, who
IS the director OF the Paris Conservative has held
himself aOof from the latter day tendencies OF the
French school He has managed to keep on terms
of intimacy with some of the elements which his
younger colleagues affect TO treat with contumely,
such form, mode and tOnalty: he is not ashamed
to associate with the diatonic scale (and for this
old fashioned music lovers owe him at least a
measure OF gratitude); and logical development Of
melodic themes. instead OF fragmentary phrases
still to him worthy OF pursuit II his themes
did not strike all of last nights listeners as satu-
rated with sensuous charm there was az least much
In their treatment to pique curiosity and compeI
interest, and the players were warmly applauded
after every movement. There seemed 20 be a
want of contrast and variety in the work. que
largely. fancy. to the fact that so much OF the
pianoforte part is mere accompaniment TO the 1our
stringed Instruments which keep steadily az II
with little regard for color effects. II Is also poss
BILE that the players had not played together sui-
GENTLY to attain to a whole hearted. harmonious
and warm sympathy with the spirit OF the WORK.
although each was individually excellent Surely
this music is susceptible Of greater elasticity OF
movement and nuance than 1t had last niSht'
Mr. I,oefiers composition. which had previously
been heard at concerts OF the Kneisel Quartet, Is
based upon a bourlaki tune for which the Russian
composers have shown a remarkable but not AT
all singular fondness. II Is heavy hearted mel
ody CAY ouchnen'O to which in the long ago. and
perhaps to-day. Russian boatmen were wont to reg
ulate the labor Of towing vessels against the cur
rent Of the Volga. the tow lines hitched TO broad
straps across the breasts Of the pullers- MY
Loefer has shown keen appreciation OF the artlstC
potentalities Of the theme and his treatment OF II
is more than ingenious In its nany-sidedness the
music made a deep impression and was played
with remarkable resIeney and dramatic power
It was several minutes after Mr. Schroeder came
upon the platform before he permitted TO be-
gin his solo. Hundreds OF palms were ruddied IN
paying tribute to him. and he was made 70 feel
that such extraordinary merit as his finds as ample
recognition in ensemble playing as t would IN solo
performances. The choice OF the Bach sonata was
an exhibition of admirable taste for IN It Mr
Schroeder could and did display the very qualities
which have made his work IN the quartet so ef-
fectiye especially in the Saraband- Out OF com
plinlent to him an extra concert has been arranged
which is 20 take place IN MendelssOhn Hall on the
evening Of April 50. The elimination OF the even
ing's delights was reached in the Brahms sextets
which ended the concert.
Nine Rosina Lhevinne. who had previously given
a taste OF her quality by playing some pianoforte
music for four hands with her husband at one OF
his concerts in Carnegie Hall. gave recital In
Mendelssohn Hall yesterday afternoon. There was
no large manifestation OF public interest in the
affair but the audience. fair in size and sEniable
in disposition. that heard her found much that was
pleasurable in her entertainment. The programme
for one thing. was unhackneyed. compositions
which have seldom II ever appeared upon a recital
programme. being saint-saens's transcription Of
the hna. fugue from Beethoven's quartet in G
major. op. So. No. g. Tausig's arrangement OF a
theme (Andantino) IN minor and variations and
a Barcarole by Liadow. Mime. I.h6vinne also played
Choplns sonata in b minor, Schumann's TN der
Nacht.'' LISTS ''Waldesrauschen.' etudes by
Scriabne. and Schloetzer. and Moszkowski's waltz
The ladys technical equipment IS far from i'm
peccable and her poetic fancy is not yet capable
OF lofty flights. but IN music which does not exact
too much in respect of these things she plays IN
tereStingly.