The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-12-14
'FLONzALEY FOUR
IN FINE CONCERT
Monday Music Club Patrons Were
Pleased With Performance Last
Night at Grand Opera
SHOW ARIETY OF TONE
Performers are Not IdeaIistic In Their
Work, But Alert, Skilled Artists
With Keen Men, .
talities.
SHOW ARIETY OF TONE
[By Clara Gertrude Fry.1

by Clara Gertrude Fry.]
| Keokuk was especially fortunate in
the concert given at the Grand opera
house last evening under the auspices
of the Monday Music Club, when the
Flonzaley string quartette, one of the
most eminent organizations of its
kind in the world, appeared in con-
cert which was not only delightful,
but was one of the most exquisitely
finished performances in every detail
ever presented in Keokuk.
1t has long been conceded that
chamber music is. the highest form of
musical art-the ensemble must be
absolutely perfect, a misplaced accent
or the slightest scratching would be
intensified and mar the exquisite fin
ish which always characterize the
work of a perfect quartette.
There was such an infinite variety
of tone and color that one had to
listen intently all the time for fear of
losing some little touch which would
give a new meaning to the compost
tion.
| These musicians are not dreamers
who float off into idealistic fancies,
but alert skilled artists with active
penetrating mentalities, presenting
master works in practical manner
to world of activity, which has lit
tie time for the Idle dreamer. These
men have fought their way up by pure
merit, and in their Interpretation was
a strength born of conviction and
freedom Of expression which marks
the maturity of the artist rather than
the emberance of youth. The lnstru-
ments they possess are fine ones and
each one is a master of his own, the
quality of the tone itself was thing
of exquisite beauty and the shading
was amazing, yet the audience was
not aware of any pride in technical
skill so whole heartedly did each mem
Der combine his efforts with the 9TH
ers to bring out the meaning OF the
composition.
Comes With Advancement.
! There is a lightness and elacticity
in rhythm and Interpretation which
has come with the twentieth century,
and which would not have been per
mitteG twenty-five years ago IN Mo
Fart or any of the classic masters.
| We dare do things in this enlight-
ened age which has brought us gain
and it causes us to pause and wonder
if such were not the intentions of the
great masters, who undoubtedly lived
far in advance of their times, and who
junquestionably grasped these great
possibilities for quartette and orches-
ira which has taken the remainder
of the world these many years to dis
cover. In the Mozart number there
was unusual charm anG a wonderful
blending of sympathies.
1t was given with the revernce such
; as only broad minded artists unin-
fiuenced by prejudices can bring to
a great art work of another age. In
the Smetana number we find the ma
tional spirit of Bohemia strongly re
flected, which is characteristic of the
composers orchestral works. The
'Osten-Aaken number needs no expla,
nation and was as delightful as It was
interesting. The TSchaikorwsky
Scherzo was an excellent piece of mus,
ical workmanship and formed splen
die closing number to a delightful
program.
! The audience was very enthusiastic
and appreciative, recalling the artists
numerous of times
The first encore, Drink to Me With
Only With Thine Eyes" was arranged
by Mr.. Alfred Pochon, the second vic,
liniSt.
Personnel and Program.
The personnel of the quartette is as
follows:
Adolph Betti First Violin
Alfred PochOn Second lolln
Louis Bailly .............- Floia
Ivan D'Archambeau .......... Cello
The Program.
Mozart Quartet in d Major Ok $50
Alegretto, Andante, Menuetto and
Finale
Smetana Quartet in E minor
! (from my life)
Allegro appossionato, Allegro mod
erato a la Polka, Largo sostenuto,
Vivace asSai-
j(a) Osten-Sacken ..... Russian
! Cradle Song.
CD Tschaikowsky 49,. Scherzo Op 80