Norwich bulletin., 1920-02-18
MUSIC ASSOCIATION HOLDS
 DELAYED MEETING

The usual February meeting of the Norwich Music association, unavoid- held Tuesday evening in Slater Hall annex, with a large attendance ~of members. Dr. Joseph H. Selden, president, made a brief address, after which the well known string quartette, Miss Isabel Mitchell, first violin, Miss Elizabeth Lane, second violin, Fred eriok ". Lester, viola, Charles D. Gallup, cello, presented the following programme of chamber music, of which they are such admirable ex- ponents. Quartet in F, Opus 9s
 Antonin Dyorak
 Allegro ma non troppo
 Fento
 Melto vivace
 Vivace ma non troppo Sonata-Violin and piano, Opus g
 Allegro Risoluto
 Andante Sostenutc
 rgamente-Allegr Agitato / Quartet in D, Opus 64, No. 5
 Adagio Cantabile
 Menuetto
 The programme, consisting of selec- tions by composers of three widely different schools, the Slavic. French and that of the 18th century, when symphonies were in vogue, was most interesting.
 Dvorak, the great Bohemian conn poser, believed that the negro songs with their rhythm and minor chords were Americas most valuable eontri- button to the world of music, and so his compositions are all based prirn- aFily on plantation melody themes, filtered, so to speak, through a Slavic mind. This ususual, exotic flavor, curlously mingled with the ever re- curing, pathetic cadences acquired from the original negro airs, was rendered with the utmost skill and dramatic effectiveness by the duartette every instrument giving out it's beau tifut individual contribution to the general fascinating effect. The abso- lute harmony of the four was wonder full.
 The Sonata for the violin and piano, played by Miss Mitchell with MT. Les- ter at the piano. was a finished in- depreciation of the subtle unusual mu- sic written by one of the ultra mod : ern French composers. Vierns The work of this master a symbolist and close follower of Debussy and Rayel, IS marked with unusual, singular har- menie combinations Musical critics
 
 this strange new music, with its har- monle dissonances and violent dynam- lcs. They also agree that aspecia al understanding on the part of it's per- formers is necessary to produce pleas ing results.
 The splendid performance of this Sonata. on the part of Miss Mitchell and Mf. Lester, who played with deli eacy, flnesse and brillance, where each ne scholarly sympathy with the mood of fhe French musician. Their intelligent rendering of the Sontaa,s strangely original harmonic effects was perhaps the high water mark of the entire pro gramme
 Haydn's sweet and Smiling music was given a most artistic reading by Che quartette. The quiet. expressive themes typical of the master, fine artistic passages, progressions were played with the finish and oneness insight can give. The Menuetto, charming, rocco and old fashioned dance, with it's deliberate stately rhythm, characteristic of the eigh- teenth century music, closed a pro- gramme which the audience would willingly have had repeated.
 The quartette at each new perferSq- : ance, shows more and more the aE- vantage of constant practice. with the self evident fact that such practice re- suits in perfect ensemble. Their fine and versatile playing, individual mu- sical intelligence and accurate inter pretation make their every appearance on programme an anticipated mu- slcal treat and delight, which their friends can not hear too often.
 The next meeting of the association will be held on March :, when a Shaksperian programme will be pre- sented.
 The stage decorations were tiny box trees, effectively arranged by Mrs. William A. Somers and Miss Mary D. Richards.