QUARTET CONCERTS.
BLAGROVE, LUCAS, and Co. were not far behind their rivals ; for their first concert was on Thursday night, at the Hanover Square Rooms ; and, having attended both in the course of the same week, we must fairly own that the superiority rests with the original firm. Quartet-playing at the Philharmonic was in the bands of a few and the same performers—there was no chance for others, whatever their pretensions. But the time is past for the continuance of any musical monopoly : if opportunities for the display of superior talent are not afforded by any existing musical establishments, new ones are created. DRAGONIUTI'S late foolish and ill.advised attempt to put down a rising performer on his own instrument, served only to advance the junior to a position which he has now proved himself able to fill : and the ex- clusion of all but a favoured few from the Quartet-party of the Phil- harmonic, has led to the development of an amount of instrumental talent of which the public bad no previous knowledge. The players who compose this party occupy not even the foremost places among the npieni of the Philharmonic band. Their ability to fill the most im- portant stations in any band is now apparent ; for a more perfect dis- play of instrumental skill, individual and combined, than that of Thursday night, we do not remember. Mont's party rely on their known reputation—they play accurately and skilfully; but they want that perfect and intimate combination, that union of soul and spirit, which their junior rivals have acquired. The performance of the latter is like that of one man ; and the exquisite expression which con- stitutes the principal charm of BLAGROVE'S playing is sought foe an vain from that of Moat. All that hard practice and manual skill can
effect, the latter has at command, but more. BLAGROVE'S
imtrn- ment—or rather, the feeling to which that instrument gives audible expression—finds a sympathetic response in the feelings of his au. ditors.
BEETHOVEN'S Opera 74 was one of the most finished performances of its kind we ever heard: and our admiration was equally excited by Mozawr's Quartet in G minor, in which Mrs. ANDERSON sustained the pianoforte part with heraceustomed ability. The vocal music, too, was well selected. BEETHOVEN'S exquisite Cantata, " Per Wachtel- schlag," which Madame CARADORT brought out with such success at the Norwich Festival, was received with merited enthusiasm.
The room was crowded, and the performance evidently afforded musical enjoyment of the highest kind.
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