CHAMBER CONCERT SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 170, 18 July 1907, Page 3

CHAMBER CONCERT SOCIETY.

β-t. Andrews Hall was last night the scene of a revival of chamber music. A I newly formed musical organisation, com- ; pr:sjng Mr. Colin Muston, L.R-A-M. .(first violin), Miss Edith' Whitela.v i (second violin). Mr. ,T. Shaw (viola), Herr ! Louis Blitz Ceelloj, and Mrs. A. W. j Maeandrew (piano! were the artists, ! and a better combination of talent could J scarcely be wished for. In response to numerous invitations the body of the j hall was well filled with a critical audi-\-eace, and their high expectations from such a quinettte of instrumentalists were fully realised. The programme consisted of three items. The Sr*t -n-s cue famous piano quinelte iv A major Oμ. 81 (Dvorak). Undoubtedly this is one of his finest woris. The first of J the four movements, "Allegro ma. non gave the artists great scope for displaying tneir undoubted ability, and it was at once apparent to the audience Itnat this concert was the forerunner of I many future musical treats. The 'cello i opens this movement with" the motif, and some slight nervousness -svas betrayed, no doubt accounted for Lv the fact that Herr Bfttz was using a stran"? "cello owing to an accident to hi.~ own. The second movement, the "Andante con moto," was a gem. Tbe blending of the instruments was remarkably fine, es- | pecially in the piano passages. Where ! the piano leads the melody the stringed instruments were so beautifully modulated and subdued thai the melody stood out clear and crisp. The "molto vi■vace," one of the most difficult movements of the work, was played up to the tempo, in which the first violin -showed himself to be a capable executant. The "Allegro" was also brilliantly executed. The next item was Beethoveu's string Quartette in F major. Op. IS, No. 1. The "Adagio" movement was especially fine, and was a masterpiece in itsetf, the colouring being especially well defined. This quartette was well studied and all the fine points were observed. The audience expressed their appreciation in no unmeasured tones, and the hope was freely expressed that they murht shortly hear it again. The final Item, Schuman's piano quartette in E flat major, Op. 47, led by Miss Whitelaw, was also delightfully played. The "scherzo" especialry stood out in this particular item, as also did the finale. The "Andante Caatabile"' was really a splendid effort.