Evening star., 1937-12-20

Library of Congress, held on
the date of the great instrument
makers death anniversary and spon-
sored by the Gertrude Clarke Whittau's
Foundation, was the crowning event in
honor of the famous craftsman of
musical instruments.
-Four masterpieces from Stradivari's
hand, in a perfect state of preserva-
ton, donated to the Library by Mrs,
Whittall and supplemented by four
others, loaned for the occasion by
Mrs Herbert N Straus, withstanding
the wear and tear of two centuries,
thrilled the audience by the gorgeous
ness OF mere sound, luscious and vel
vety in quality and extraordinarily
powerful when combined in a single
effort by eight players.
1t was one of those concerts when
the artistry of the pl vcrs and the
music performed takes second place
in the face of the achievement of
one who was able to create a perfect
medium of expression and who on
merit occupies place of no less i'm
portanc, in the world of music
Mendelssohn Octet Played.
And yet the Saturdays program
held more than one feature AS its
opening number it introduced a
work of unusual beauty, the rarely
heard Felix MendelSsohn's Octet in
E Flat Major, Op. 90" performed in
technically impeccable manner by
eight artists: The Stradivarius Quartet
Of New York, Wolfe Wolfinsohn and
Bernard Robbins, violins; Marcel
Dick, Viola. and Ivan d'Archambeau.
cello. and assisting artists, Samuel
Gardner and Edwin Ideler, violins:
Conrad Held, viola, and Horace Britt,
Cello.
The octet for four violins, two violas
and two cellos is an outstanding work
in music literature, being among the
first compositions written for a double
quartet of instruments. Composed
by Mendelssohn at the age of Is, but
published later, the octet breathes
inspiration in every measure, its
"Scherzo" being the ost representa-
tive movement of the composers style
Dainty, based on the imaginary, in
the portrayal of which Mendelssohn
eXcelled, it gives the performers an
opportunity to exercise their imagina-
ton likewise. In he otherwise excel
lent reading of the octet Saturday
night this point was somewhat over
booked. the "Scherzo' lacking the
phantastic element, was not delicate
enough, contrary to the composers
special stress placed in the subtitle
indicating an extreme lightness" of
execution. On the whole the work is
most graceful one, strong and yirile in
its first movement, reminding one of
Brahms style. 1t moves along sweep
ingly, giving every instrument an
occasional opportunity of being heard
| individually.
Famons Violin Heard.
Because of the richness and round
ness Of sound produced in the octet.
| the Schumann's Quartet in r Ma
jor, Op. Al, No. O." abounding in
| lovely melodies and second on the
program, was rather pallid in effect.
! However, most pleasing was the rem
dition of "Andante Quasi Variazioni,"
| in which the two violins had promi-
nence, following one another and CIV
| ing thus the listener a chance to hear
| the second famous violin of the Whit
tall collection, the Ward" Stradiva-
rius.
After the performance Of the octet,
| the musical program was interrupted
| in order to allow Jay c. Freeman to
| give a brief outline of Stradivari's
career and of his contribution to
posterity in the 80 years of his inde-
| fatigable craftsmanship. Mr.. Free
man concluded his talk with the
description of the instrument in use
Saturday night, fashioned by Stradi-
vari between the years 1885 and 1927.
Romantic Style Stressed.
This outstanding program empha-
sizing the romantic style in music
| came to a close with Ernest Chaus-
sons Concerto in D Major, Op. 81"
| for violin. piano and string quartet,
played by Louis Krasner, violinist:
Beryl Rubinstein, pianist, and the
| Stradivarius Quarter, who presented
| the work with a fine ensemble and
spirit. This composition Of poignant
beauty and refinement, more subtle
| than the preceding two numbers on