SOCIETY OF BRITISH MUSICIANS.
The second soiree of the Society took place on Thursday, at Emt's Harp Saloon, Berners Street. The novel features of the entertainment were a Tritt MS. for Pianoforte, Violin, and Violoncello, by Neste, performed by ale composer, Loder, and a Bass-player whom we did not recognize; and it MS. Quartet for two Violins, Tenor, and Bass, by T. P. Chipp, perfornied by Messrs. Thirlwall, Glover, Weslake, and Guest.
Mr. Neate's Trio in E minor would gain much in interest by some jud- cious curtailments: it is too diffuse—a work rather of effects than of- ideas, consequently the more liable to weary by extension. The first move- ment is the best: the style of this is bold and animated, and the effects of the stringed instruments are excellent. But there is a deficiency of fano/ and novelty in the pianoforte part. New figures, new modulations, and melodies are sadly wanting: and upon this, after all, newness of impression depends; the rest is but a matter of experience and a combination of thin,ger already known. This trio would probably please better in a private circle than in a concert-room, where it is brought into contact with many re' miniscences of first-rate genius—graceful melodies and piquant at- tractions. Mr. Chipp's Quartet contained a great deal of meritoriotte writing, though we cannot compliment the author on the posses- sion of any peculiar elegance of style or length of melodious: phrase. The opening allegretto realized, perhaps, the truest features and character of the classical quartet style. There was a marked and interesting character in the minuet. The adagio in A took rather the form of a violin solo accompanied, than of a composition in which the inte- rest of the features is impartially dispersed; and in the fugued finale' an idea or so is very palpably borrowed from the finale of Mozart's Quartet in' G major. On thor whole, however, we were much gratified by these productions and their performance. In a field of art in which nothing is to be gained but honour and fame, there is something ever to applaud in the competitors, be it merely the abstract motive to excellence. National art can only be im- proved by encouraging this praiseworthy ambition.
The vocal music of the evening proceeded rather irregularly, from the non-appearance of singers. The audience, however, continued patient and pleased.
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