Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-02
RICH GU ARTET ENDS
SERIES WITH SUCCESS
Larger Attendance Encouraging Fea-
ture of Third and Final Artistic
Program

Fruits of the formation of the Chamber
Music society recently in this city and of
the agitation in favor of the smaller and
artistically satisfying musical forms were
evident in the very considerable audience
last night in Witherspoon Hall. which said
hail and farewell for the season to the
Rich Quartet, hail" by way of ovation for
very finely performed concert farewell
because this represented the conclusion of
the Quartets current season.
A goodly job of the sowing and tling
in the chamber music field has been done by
the Rich Quartet comprising DR. Thaddeus
Rich first violin Hedda van dem Beemt.
second violin Alfred l.orenz. viola, and
Hans Kinder. volOnCelist. and it is only
fitting that it should do some of the reap
ing and have its share of the harvest. Cham
Der music has been in very i'll plight
commercially, not only in this city but in
all musical centers here and abroad. for a
number of years, although string and other
ensembles have attained technical perfec-
tons and polish almost beyond belief
Organized efforts now being made in
Chicago and Philadelphia seem to repre-
sent the last hope Of keeping chamber
music before the public. If the enthusiasm
and interest that have been developed dur
ing the closing period of the present sea-
son. after a very Hat and Improbable be-
ginning, survive over the summer, the Rich,
Schmidt and other quartets and organiza-
and unusual music. in supplement to the
classics. satisfactorily and sincerely
played, will have definite-and needed
handicap in their favor toward reaching the
goal of paying expenses in next seasons
musical race.
Familiar and novel pieces figured on
the final list. the classic both of time and
form in Beethovens quartet No. G in X
fiat ma ior, the romantic school in Brandt
6ah Sal to hp
'sidered the "futurist" but which now is
merely the modern, the Debussy quartet.
given by SPECIAL request 1t was to be re-
GREETED tlnt the intention as originally an
nounced, OF presenting the Schoenberg
quartet. was not carried out. This either
has not been given in Philadelphia or has
been given but once--memOries differ-and
as IL is the original specimen of note in
its composers peculiar fashion of slowed
music. it would have been interesting in the
hearing on its own merit a cubist classic
and as audible token of just how far
into the future futurism has adventured
since Schoenberg started As 1t takes near
ly an hour in the performance ii does not
fit in with general program, but it's
presentation here is good hint for next
season.
The DebuSsy. now calmly accepted once
matter for sniff and sneer has many lovely
moments whether you like the composers
elusive tonal hues and pentatonic scale or
not. Its beauties are often subtle and
deeply ingrained they were brought to
view apprecatively by the Rich String
Band.
Brandtbuy's "Romantlsche Serenade"
proved true to name and form; 1t has
much in it that is beautiful for the viola.
The Beethoven is very early (opus lS) and
to that extent formal 1t was played
soundy. w. X. NJ,