MR. ELLA'S MATINEE MUSICALE.
THE Director of the Musical Union had a benefit concert on Tuesday, at which good music was in the ascendant. An Elegy of Beethoven's (first time of performance) was the grand attraction; but that, through some acci- dent, being not forthcoming, we were fain to content ourselves with a Double Quartet of Spohr, Beethoven's Quintet in C, and the famous Septet, now long unheard, of that master. Sivori and Sainton were again the heroes of the violin. The latter commenced with the air with variations in C major which forms the slow movement of Spohr's Double Quartet in E minor. This is one of the prettiest, most piquant and brilliant, of all Spohr's varied airs; and Sainton delivered it most beautifully. The other players in the first Quartet were Goffrie, Hill, and Roussel& Those in the second were, Deloffre, Nadaud, Guynemer, and Casolani; which last played on an Italian basso di camera, made by Gaspar di Salo, strung with double- bass strings, and not, after the modern fashion, covered with silver wire. The effect was very fine: yet was it totally eclipsed when the real full-sized double-bass made its appearance in the Septet. Beethoven's Quintet in C was rendered in the most exquisite manner by Sivori, Deloffre, MU, Guy- nemer, and Rourselot; but still not without some trips; and these, not in- juring the spirit of the music, only showed pleasantly that the greatest artists still belong to the erring race of mankind. Lazarus (Clarionet), 33auman (Bassoon), and Harper junior (Horn)-this last a most promising qoung performer, distinguished by great beauty of tone-added the wind :combinations to Beethoven's Septet, which was led by Sivori. Between these pieces, Pischek sang, or rather vociferated; De Meyer played; and a Concert was formed to please even those who will have some trivialities Mixed up with the graver productions of art.
One thing cannot fail to be noticed-the new opinions which are forming te such elaborate compositions as the Double Quartets of Spohr and the posthumous Quartets of Beethoven, through the interpretation of the great Instrumentalists to whom they have been committed. The high practical skill of Sivori, Sainton, Sec., and the enthusiastic study they have given to the ensemble of these works, have opened a new field of enjoyment to the -amateur, and elevated the art. These artists are the apostles of the true faith in part-writing, and expound to us the most hidden mysteries of the language of genius. We know nothing more to be admired than their rapid appearance in new parts. Their performance of every sort of composition, in its respective character and style is most honourable to their artistic 'education, and totally frees them from all suspicion of quackery, or desire to trade upon a piece got up, as was once thought with some injustice of The most exquisite chamber performances that we ever heard have been those of the Musical Union; and for the good music and the great variety of new talent brought forward, we, in common with the members, express our acknowledgments to Mr. Ella.
Previous page
