M U SI C.
DANDO'S QUARTET CONCERTS.
THE third concert at Crosby Hall, on Monday, presented varied features, of musical interest, and supported attention at once by new composition, successfully-revived classics, the appearance of performers of merit com- paratively new, and novelty of harmonic combination. Mozart's Quartet in B flat, Op. 18, opened the performance. This work, elaborated with special difficulties' both of science and mechanism for the artists of the King of Prussia's Chapel, is still no trifle to render with perfect success. We.missed the first and the fine slow movement in which the violoncello cuts so conspicuous a figure; but we take the opportunity to note the ad- vance of Mr. Lucas as a quartet-player. His execution at present is re- markable for clearness; his delivery of the phrases, the judgment of hit style, and the nice manner in which he subdues and harmonizes his tone with every delicacy of combination, render him in the art of quartet-playing second to nothing English. Loder's tenor is clear and correct in execu- tion; but it would benefit by certain emollient properties which chamber- music above all other demands. A Miss Messent (we believe of the ACa- clemy) sang, or rather made the bold attempt to sing, the arduous seem "Per pieta," from Cosi fan Tutti. This young lady has merit and pro- mise. tier voice, though not very strong, is of a good quality; her style is chaste; but the most hopeful sign of all is, that she gives the true accents of the composer. It is so rare at the present day to detect native feeling beneath the surface of the singing-master, that we the more willingly recognize it at present. Mr. H. Westrop performed a new Quintet in C minor, of his composition, for pianoforte and a- quartet of stringed
instruments; which was heard with interest, and showed its author to be a well-read and able musician. The style was good, and the attempt to take an original and independent path laudable and conscientious. But, though full of clever points and passages, the work, considered entire, is deficient in that connected interest which is thoroughly satisfactory, and alone awakens the wish for a renewed hearing. The accompaniments, contrapuntally well put, are yet deficient in light and shade; they want diversity of effects, and the uniformity of their "con strepito" is at times disagreeable. Partial success in such attempts is, however, honourable; and this was duly recognized by the audience with hearty applause-well- deserved were it only for Mr._ Westrop's excellent pianoforte-playing. Beethoven's Violin Trio in G major, admirably played by Dando, Loder, and Lucas, produced demonstrations of enthusiasm almost phreneticaL At the conclusion there was a suppressed hallooing and raving, and a tumultuous clapping and a going out of the room, and a vowing that nothing would go down after that,-diagnostics of the true Beethoven mania, a pleasant epidemic that sometimes but very rarely rages in concert-rooms. No ac- cident, we are happy to say, occurred in the payment of the first instal- ment of the debt to pleasure-the long unheard (in public) Violin Trios of Beethoven. Mr. Dando Limit be reminded of doing equal justice to Mo- zart; how seldom has his beautiful trio for the same instruments, or that for piano, clarionet, and tenor, been heard in its original form! Here would certainly be a second ovation.
Hancock appeared with his basso di camera to play the double-bass part of a Quintet by Onalow. We cannot say that we admire this instrument;
which is in form a large kind of violoncello, with peculiar strings and tuning, intended to represent the double-bass. In this, however, even in chamber-music, it is very unsatisfactory : its tone is deficient in weight and quality; and when the pizzicato is beard, we discover at once how little it will compare with that pedestal of the orchestra. The priority of this invention, such as it is, we believe belongs to the late Mr. Barraud of Comhill,-at all events, he received the medal of the Society of Arts for an instrument of the same construction and character. But his method of tuning VMS ineffective, and ill adapted to the exigencies of modern music.
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