The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-08
KNEISEL QUARTET
IN SECOND CONCERT
Programme includes Music by
David Stanley Smith 4.
Of Yale.
BRAHMS DELIGHTS AGAIN

The second concert OF the kneisel
Quartet took place last evening In
Aeolian Hall. The programme consisted
Of Brahms's q major sextet. opus aS
David Stanley Smiths quartet In A
major. opus ~. and Schubert's quintet.
opus 1853. The second number. which
Is yet In manuscript. was heard for the
frst time here. Mr.. Smith 10 assistant
10 Prof. Horatio Parker In the musical
department Of Yale University and this
wa the second Of his auartets produced
by Mr.. kneisel.
Descriptions Of music are for the most
part futile. but a few words must be given
to the form Of this composition. 1t ID
played in two sections. though It &C.
tualiy consists Of three movement and
movement. which IL an allegro Of grace
full character. stands alone. Its princi-
pal theme Ii announced by the hrst
violin soon after the opening measure,
n considerable development follows
before the second leading subject u
heard. The working out II short and
lucid and the recapitulation almost II
not quite according to the schoolA
The second section OF the work, played
without pause, begins with an allegro
giocoso. which correspond to the scherso
This movement is derived from thematic
matter. sharply defined In its rhythm.
which Is Of the type supposed to be char
acteristically American. Even the instru-
mentation indicates a desire on h part
Of the composer to remind US that the
negro slave n his banjo belonged to
this country.
An effective connecting passage. writ
ten in r~ecitative style. carries us to
the finale. watch Ia pathetic in feeling.
This recitative In developed from the
thematic matter of the allegro giocoso
and some of the melody OF the finale
Is unquestionably a still further exfolia-
ton of the same IDEAS. The work closes
TRANQUILITY. as II to suggest that after
the tragic burial OF gayett under trouble
resignation had bestowed its blessing
upon the musician.
Mr.. Smith has written with serious
purpose and his quartet 10 we'll made. One
MAJ be grateful to him for his conserva-
;ism in style. a well as for the legiti-
macy of his effects. lie freely employs
the time honored devices Of quartet
writing. but makes no excursions int
the unknown. His music. II not dis
tiiiS uissieu ny iiSp!silS OfiB flditts, VIE
plays accomplished musicianship and
good taste. His themes are not cheap.
nor is his treatment OF them OF the
shopworn kind. II he has nothing novel
to offer he does not vex US with antique
banahties or modern commonplace. His
composition has polite department. and
II makes its appeal to the cultivated
listener. That 1t a no large message
to make known is a misfortune which
1t shares with most of the music Of this
day. The quartet was excellently per-
formed. albeit 1t a TO be recommended
after the hrst few measures owing TO
the breaking OF a string on Mr.. 1etz's
Instrument.
The Brahms sextet continues to be a
Joy to the nearer. and the Schubert cello
quintet ~ one OF the perennial delights
Of chamber music. In the performance
Of the sextet the Kneisel force had the
capable assistance of Leo Schulz. cello
lwho played also in the Schubert work..
and Josef kovarik, viola. leaders OF their
respective departments in the Philhar-
m)nic Society. Both are experienced per-
formers of chamber music and they
united themselves with the members OF
the quartet in producing a rich and
transparent body Of ton