New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-10
CHAMBER MUSIC
AND PIANO RECITALS
Notes of Activities and
Promises in Concert
and Opera.

Yesterdays doings in the local mu-
steal world may we'll be disposed OF
in a simple record with a gentle
infusion of critical comment; and this
Notwithstanding that among them was
a concert OF chamber music by the
Kneisel Quartet-an incident when
The Tribune has always been inclined
20 treat a. of first class Importance
even If a Caruso or Fsrrar should hap
pen TO be In occultation with 1t. The
circumstance that took the concert
of last night in Acolian Hall out OF
the unusual list was that II offered
nothing new or particularly striking
either in the matter of its programme
or the performance. The music was
all Of high order and it was all well
played; moreover, the helper whom
Mr.. Kneisel called in was MISS
Katharine Goodson, whom it IS al
ways a pleasure TO hear whether
she displays her fine musicianship
in recital or gives her aid to an
ensemble. The compositions in the list
were three. and the fact that they held
the attention of the audience was
tribute as much TO the character OF
the regular patrons Of the quartet,
who were out in force, as to the music
Mr.. Kneisel's audiences welcome nov
elites. but they do not cry for them;
nor do they believe themselves blessed
because new things are provided Tor
them. When good they are gwen
An intelligent and cordial wei
come; when mediocre, they receive
what they deserve and no more. 1t
is an audience composed OF cogno-
scenti. Glad to be kept abreast OF the
creative spirit of the times, but as
little obsessed with the notion that all
new things are good as with the other
that all old things are too hackneyed
for their enjoyment. SO Smetana
photographer quartet in r MINOR,
Aus mcinem Leben," received respect
full attention, though il stirred up little
enthusiasm: Beethoven's in fiat, op.
"a mot at all hackneyed because OF It's
age) was heard with pleasure, ana MISS
Goodson and her companions we're made
TO feel that the evenings delights came
to q fitting climax with the splendld.y
played pianoforte Quartet IN A by
Brahms.
The incidents Of the emo, were
reeitals of pianoforte music by artists
who have also won place in the favor
Of New York's music-lovers. At Aeolian
Hall Miss Ethel Newcomb entertained
on audience, handsome in numbers and
kindly appreciative, at the same time
that Miss Harriet Cady, better known
10 the public because of longer service,
exhibited her skill in the Bandbox
Theatre, which has come into much
wider notice as concert room than
il ever enjoyed as a playhouse. Miss
Newcomb's programme included, among
other things, the Beethoven Sonata in
+ fat major, Opus 81, No. 3; group
of Chopin, and Schumann's Fantasia IN
C major. Miss Newcombe vas most
admirable in her merely technical
achievement. She showed fuency- OF
style, a responsive touch and some fex-
ibility of mood. 1t was in a certain
LAX of temperament that appeared her
chief weakness. Her playing of the So
nata was facile, musical and workman
like, but there was little emotional
glow or imaginative uplltt
The intimate atmosphere OF the
little theatre in East Fifty-seyerth
Street proved agreeable to Miss Cady'S
art. and her tone seemed warm and her
feeling for nuance and for rhythm eX-
cellent. She was particularly pleasing
in the shorter numbers in the second
half of the programme, two OF when,
waltz by Ludwig Schyth and noe
.urne BY Frank Howard Warner, were
dedicated to her herself The waltz
was pretty and the nocturne a delicate
reminder of Chopin, as all nocturnes
are apt to be. The audience asked her
to repeat Florence Pair Ceres Caprice
poetioue." The chief number OF the
first part Of the programme was bee
thoyens Sonata, OPP. 70.
The patrons of the John Wanamaker
Store are being entertained with AFRO
American folksongs and popular music
hased on their idioms a the auditor
ium this week. Alexander Russell, the
musical director of the establishment,
has organized a chorus composed OF
col red employees of the store, and with
this chorus, Harry Burleigh, Mr.. Kahn,
violin, and himself at the planoforte
and organ, he is giving concert every
rather, he has be. CIV
inc one for two days-and will give
wv, more on to-day and tomorrow.
The choir sings "spirituals," some IN
their old form-some as artistlcally ar
ranged by Mr.. Burleigh; Mr.. Burlelgh
sings both folksongs and arti-tic songs
rejecting their spirit composed by
Messrs. Piggott, Johnston. Williams
and himself. Mr. Kahn plays, among
other things, Coleridge- Taylor's Afr
can Dances" and Mr. Russell gives
fantasia on African airs as well as
two movements from Dvorak's New
World" Symphony on the organ.
al Trovatore," conducted by Mr. Tos-
canini and sung by Mines. Destinn AID
Ober and Messrs. Martinelli, Amato and
Rothier, will have its first perform
ance this season at the Metropolitan
Opera House at next weeks Saturday
matinee. The old work has been re-
studied and provided with entirely new
scenery. Other operas of the week will
be as follows:
Carmen" as a special matinee for
the Emergency Fund, or Monday; FL
delo," on Monday evening; "L'Oracolo"
and "Pagliacci," on Wednesday even
ing, the latter with Mr.. Caruso at his
last appearance this season; "Gotter-
on Thursday afternoon;
"Manon Lescaut," on Thursday evening,
and "Die Zauberhoete, on Friiay
night. -.
"Toscs" at popular prices will be
sung on Saturday evening, with MISS
Farrar and Miss Bras!au and Messrs.
Botta, Scott, Rossi, Leonhardt: bads.
Reschiglian and Begue, Mr.. Poiaeeo
-,
Miss Beatrice Harrison. 'cellist, will
play at next Sunday nights concert,
ind Mrs. Frieda Hempel and Luca Botta
will sing.