New-York tribune., 1920-03-07
Bv II. E. Krehbiel


ne concerts of the Beethoven As
;iation, an organization which came
70 existence a few months ago in so
ademonstrative a manner that it's
sracter and purpose were known to
a,y q small circle of music lovers
hen its frst meeting was held, have
eadgly grown since then in artistic
aportance as well as patronage.
in the midst of a period in which
lf-interest and commercialism are
mpant in every department Of artis-
/, endeavor, the contemplation of this
s.itution Is refreshing and encour-
.ng. 1t stands a unique monument
unselfsh idealism, and is enabled to
so by the circumstance that the
lists who give its concerts do so
.hout remuneration, and its affairs
managed, barring few details, by
members themselves.
i seems to be company of musical
ssts, all we'll known, brought to-
Ter for the purpose of promoting
ie and nothing else. We do not
II know whether or not there is
"a thing as visible, tangible, re-
aasible organization. A few of our
musicians seem 20 have met to-
.ssr, planned a series of concerts de-
ted to the music of Beethoven, which
,ould derive unique interest from the
aeeaventional character of the pro-
,,anls, rallied around themselves an
thsr company of patrons, who are
early all amateurs, lovers, as well as
plsyers, of chamber music, and unos-
,entatiously begun a propaganda which
s now exciting the keenest interest
rom the general public.
Interesting Concerts
Each meeting of the association has
brought forward d new element of in
serest. At the concert in January
Mme. SamarotF and Mr.. Harold Bauer
who, We believe. is the originator of
the idea), played a gavotte for piano
forte four hands, of which even the
closest students of Beethoven were ig-
norant- At the time we expressed a
doubt touching the authenticity of the
work, and doubt remains with US still,
shoEgh We have heard that the compo-
sitlon is one of those whose discovery
10 the British Museum by some French
Investigators was reported last fall.
Though we cannot believe from in
'ernsl evidence {that furnished by the
music itself) nor from what we know
o. Beethoven's history that he composed
me gavotte in question, pretty trifle
and nothing more, we now hear. that
me story OF its discovery and the
Proofs of its alleged authenticity are
soon to be published in the pages Of
ne Musical Quarterly" of which Mr..
" u. Sonneck Is editor. Till then we
'sa possess our soul in patience.
The New Pieces
M the next meeting of the associa-
'oasson Tuesday Of next week, two
works will be performed which, we are
s'aelnced, never have been heard in
america (and but few times anywhere),
aaose genuineness is not open to ques-
a0u and which for other reasons than
mere J, curiosity deserve to be known.
'nss are both of much greater impor-
Nass, as they also are of greater di-
~'ns'ons, than the prettily ingenious
ss'oste played in January. and their
S''uuction will mark the most ambiti-
Sss night yet undertaken by the asso-
eiation.
:" WIZ demand solo singers as we'll
~ ~ pianist. chorus and an orchestra.
:, ,nese forces have been enlisted by Mr..
ssm franko, ut whose instigation the
.s.l0rmance .s.''r was arranged. The pieces
~ -. : rondo In B-fat for pianoforte
:, .as orchestra Gin which Mr.. CAM will
s sae solo part) and cantata for
ylsno and bass solos, chorus and
Orchestra.
= s0'a date from the period Of Bee
s.ss s residence In his native city Of
\ saortly before he went to Vienna,
i. s 70 remain until his death. There
sseand for believing that the rondo
- s0nceived originally as the finale
n eoacsfto in B-Aat to which MI.
a.. oorsot gave its first hearing on
a vac Of the Atlantic Gas we be-
On the nth Of last month.
c. concerto. which antedates IA
p, 'alsioa that in c major. which A.
ssdi.s.s, weH known and IL set d
s as beethoven's first work sxI
: nsssa i e his third