Onslow Quintette Concert: 3rd

“The principal pieces at the third concert of the Onslow Quintette for the present season, given last night at De Garmo Hall, were [see above]. The beautiful, simple, and elegant work of Mozart was beautifully and elegantly played, with a delicacy of expression and accuracy of ensemble that would have done credit to many an older club, and called for especial praise when it was remembered that this spirited organization is only in the second year of its public existence. Graedener’s quintette was a novelty. It is the production of a good musician, and contains some excellent thoughts, particularly in the adagio and the minuet. But the composer has not the art of sustaining the interest of the listeners either by a progressive development of ideas, or by great variety of treatment. The first two movements therefore, allegro moderato and adagio, produce a somber and rather monotonous effect. The minuet and allegro energico which follow create perhaps a rather pleasanter impression, not because they are better conceived, but because they are shorter. The execution of these two movements was not remarkably neat. The only other instrumental music was a romanza for the violoncello by Franchomme, played by Mr. Bernhardt Bierlich, an artist who handles his instrument with great technical skill, and deserves hearty praise for his firm and clear touch and unaffected style. The rest of the entertainment consisted of part songs, rendered by Misses Maria Brainerd and Anna Bulkley, and Messrs. Bush, Toedt, and Schauffler. There were two by Mendelssohn, ‘Autumn Song’ and ‘Praise of Spring,’ one by Macfarren, ‘Come away death,’ and one by Mr. Caryl Florio, whose name was omitted from the programme, but divulged when a demand was made for a repetition of the song. It is a charming setting of Sir Thomas Wyatt’s famous verses, ‘And wilt thou leave me thus?’ and is notable not only for its happy conception and tender sentiment, but for the sound scholarship apparent in it somewhat elaborate construction.”

“The third ‘Soirée Classique’ of the Onslow Quintette at De Garmo hall, on Wednesday evening, March 5^th, with the following programme [see above].

The vocalists were Misses Brainerd and Bulkley and Messrs. Bush and Schauffler. Mr. Bernhardt Bierlich played the violoncello, and Mr. Caryl Florio presided at the piano. The instrumental selections were well rendered, and the Graedener Quintet, which was a novelty, made a favorable impression. The last two parts, Menuetto and Allegro Energico quasi Marcia, are particularly good. The vocalists screamed with all their might, and the effect in the small hall was anything but pleasing.”