New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-15
CHAMBER MUSIC, SONG
Concerts by the Kneisei Quartet
and Nine. Butt.

The principal musical occurrences OF
yesterday were OF the kind which ordi-
narlIv make particular appeal 10 the cog
noscenti and are caviare to the general-a
song recital and concert OF chamber
music. But By the style OF announce
mcnt adopted, also. TO some extent oy
the character of the programme. and Sun
more by the nature OF tine performance,
the song recital became not altogether
worthy companion OF the chamber con
cert II took place In the afternoon In
Carnegie Hall. and was TO have been
Joint recital by Nine. Clara Butt and her
husband Mr. Kenuerley Rumiord, Dut
Mr. Runford was under the weather
,small wonder, with the temperature as
unstable as II has been ever since the
calendar indicated the winter seasonD, so
Mr. I.oudon Charlton. the manager sub
stituted some violin solos by Mr.. Edward
Dethier FOR the songs which Mr. Rumtoid
could not sing. and the song recital tooN
on something Of the character OF the con
certs which we used % hear before the
recital came i'm vogue. Mr. Dethier Is a
y,oIInist Of excellent training and taste,
some OF which he has acquired from as
ISOLATION with Mr.. kucisel who, with IN"
other members of HIS quartet and MI.
Samuel Gardner, one OF Mr.. kneisels
or,iet pupils. gave the chamber concert
,,,ob tool, Mace I'm Aeollan Hall in the
evening.
Mr.. Dethier's contribution to the enter
,ainmeut was wholly agreeable. II would
b.. pleasaut 10 say as much. with the
added emphasis which her vocal gift ana
eraat reputation invited. OF Nine. Butt;
h,,, u cannot truthfully be done. There
&c no pralse which would be too great Tor
this singer n her taste and command OF
tho technics OF her art were common
eurate with the beauty and volume OF
bor voice The glorious splendor OF her
toroe and their marvellously appealing
GAMMA quality beggar description when
ever she chooses to consider the laws OF
beauty while producing them. Such
voice would not only sway the multitude
hut also dumbfound all criticism were II
used always as Nine. Butt sometimes
uses II; but II only brings grief TO the
iudicious who know the rarity or such a
treasure when II Is employed as she en-
nloved II Yesterday In nearly every song
she sang. Song recitals by great artists
have come to be reckoned as one OF the
great educational assets of the metropolis.
Singing teachers go 10 them TO get help
mi suggestions. and pupils for the pleas
ure which comes from observing how the
accomplished overcome the difficulties
which yex and weary their souls. II Is TO
he hoped that none OF those In the great
audIepce at Carnegie Hall yesterday was
,risIed 10 accept Nine Butt as an ex-
er,nlar in any particular. In that way
danger lies not only for the student, but
for the taste of the ordinary listener as
vol II is pity, for though the lady's
technical equipment cannot compass the
eorid style of the eighteenth century
classics. she might, If she but would. be
an inspiration in the pure sustained style
Rut her desire to amaze and confound
nv the mere power Of her voice has led
her into paths which lead far away from
the realms of beauty.
The programme OF the Kneisel Quartet
consisted of Brahms's Quartet in e minor
ION 81. No. u, a quintet for three vio-
Inns viola and violoncello. by Charles
Martin i.oeffier. and Gries's Quartet In
= minor. In the performance of the first
number there was a lack OF brilliancy of
tone for which, perhaps. the composer
was more to blame than the players. for
tho style OF Brahms is one Of the things
with which Mr.. Kneisel has saturated
h,mself and which he never falls to COM
,,,rnicate 10 his companions. But the
slow movement was radiant with
beauty upon which a shadow never fell
Cor q moment Its melodc lines were
exousitely spun by all the instruments
ord shone like dewy threads of gossamer
in the light of early morning.
Mr.. Loeffier's quintet is one OF the Bos-
ton masters early works. 1t was writ
fen at least twenty years ago and was
- -..... hofore at x neisel can-