Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1880 Vol. 3 N. 3-A

8
THE MUSIC TRADE
JOURNAL.
is always open to visitors, and there are daily and nightly concerts by the
of which the veteran, Carl Sentz, is director. Some of the old aroma
Within this "row" Schomacker, Hallet & Davis, Chickering, Weber, band,
of
outlawry
lingers about the precincts of the Park. Fights are not un-
and Steinway, and the omnium gatherum establishment of that veteran dealer known, and still
the special police stationed on the island are sometime kept
J. Bellak, are all comprised as tenants. The progress of the improvements busy. The tract
is within city jurisdiction, not belonging to New Jersey, as
is not of a character to increase the immediate facilities of these good people. some people suppose.
After the unfragrant memories have had time to fade
It cannot be said, as Cowper said of Queen Anne's ice-palace, "No sound of out, there is no reason why
Ridgway Park should not prove a very delight-
hammer or of saw was there.", Both of these useful implements are doing ful acquisition to the summer
resorts of such citizens as do not take long or
their full share of noisy work, while the piano tuners and the piano sellers expensive journeys. The place
is convenient, close at hand, cool in hot
alike find their equanimity put to a severe test.
weather, and cheap.
DISTURBING THE DEALERS.
HOWE.
THE CONDITION OF TRADE.
There seems to be a fair business doing in musical instruments, consid-
ering the time of year.
SCHOMACKER.
A WESTERN MAN'S VISIT TO NEW YOKE.
MARK F . LOW'S IMPRESSIONS OF MUSICIANS, THE TRADE, ETC.
NEW YORK, July 28, 1880.
Schomacker's representative, Col. Gray, at 1103 Chestnut street, says he
No doubt most New York manufacturers have been on the road, and
is selling more pianos than all the other houses in the city put together. have brought home a strong conviction that the prospects are such as to jus-
Not being skilled in the science of numbers, I must leave the demonstration tify laying in a good stock for Fall and Winter trade. It is probably for this
of that statement to himself.
reason that I found manufacturers, whom I had the pleasure of seeing, very
busy.
WM. G. FISCHER.
GEO. STECK & CO.
Professor Wm. G: Fischer, who does the business here for the Decker
Brothers, sailed for Europe some weeks ago. Capt Harris, of the American
At George Steck & Co.'s warerooms I considered it a good sign to see
Line, told me the other day, that the professor was the "life of the ship " several men taking out a concert grand, which a wealthy New York brewer
during his voyage, and that he was " hardly ever sick at sea." The professor had bought. Steck has beautiful warerooms. Among the new features in
is a favorite here for many reasons. He will sing and lead choirs gratis for their stock is a baby grand, with great power and exquisite tone and touch.
any and every charitable undertaking that appeals to him. He had charge Mr. Steck is pushed with work, and even at this time of the year, is behind
of the music during the celebrated Moody & Sankey meetings, which re- with his orders.
sulted chiefly in raising a magnificent contribution to the building fund of the
KRANICH & BACH.
statelv edifice owned by the Young Men's Christian Association at Ffteenth
and Chestnut streets. So long as Prof. Fischer's old-time attaches, Messrs.
The next call I made at Kranich & Bach's. When a firm gives such
Roberts & Simmons remain on hand, the sweet-voiced tenor may continue his proofs of prosperity as these gentlemen did, when they built their new fac-
conge with impunity. The house does the biggest kind of a business in tory, which is a model in every way, then it is useless to say much more
organs, Mason & Hamlin leading in amount of sales.
about them. They have been very successful with baby-grands. From all
appearances, from Mr. Kranich's smiling countenance and his improvement
E. M. BRUCE.
in bodily circumference, one could see that success made work pleasant to
Still, I believe that Mr. E. M. Bruce can sweep the deck so far as the him.
organ business goes, and then he has the Estey variety, which is as popular
JARDINE & SONS.
here as it is everywhere else. Mr. Bruce does a great deal of personal work
I was soon at Jardine & Sons' organ factory. Would my humble opinion
in introducing his instruments, and, being another " sweet singer in Israel,"
his voice is heard at many and many a religious gathering here and add anything to their reputation ? They make excellent work. I was lucky
enough to meet there Mr. H. W. Nicholl, an artist on the organ and a terror
hereabouts.
with his pen—which gave him the name of " the-fellow-who-goes-for-every-
MUSIC STORES.
body." He played elegantly, and I was astonished to hear that he considers
The music stores look limp and lonely. There is no month in the his proficiency in organ-playing a secondary consideration. What a pity ! I
twelve when the dealers wear such gloomy countenances. This may be in shall "go for him " some day. He is young and good-looking—but I cannot
part because the quarterly statements rendered on July 1st meet with so few tell your lady-readers whether he is yet in the market or not,
responses. The great army of teachers, who do their toiling during the
JAMES B. NUGENT.
cold weather, commence to spin towards rural haunts as soon as the pupils
show signs of dropping off. Most of them find living cheaper in the coun-
From the organ factory, I went to J. B. Nugent's—young, hard-working
try, and so make departures as early as possible during the unproductive piano-makers. They cannot help but be successful.
period.
DITSON.
GILDEMEESTER & CO.
At No. 14 East Fourteenth street, I found Mr. T. Leeds Waters, of Gil-
Mr. J. E. Ditson, who has represented the great Boston house here for a demeester & Co. These are pushing, active, business-like young men, and
number of years, has returned to that city, and does not expect to be identi- have a bright future before them.
fied with this department of the firm hereafter. Mr. C. W. A. Trumpler,
CONEY ISLAND.
who has been connected with the Ditsons during the larger portion of his.
business life, will take charge of the establishment of J. E. Ditson & Co.
Among
other
places
of
amusement
I visited Coney Island with all its
hereafter.
noise, claptrap, and silly actions of big and little children playing in sand
and water. The fireworks were grand. The music in front of the hotel very
VACATIONS FOR CHOIRS.
good. Among the curiosities was a conductor in one of the beer-halls. He
Apropos of the musicians' hegira, there is always one question which was an elderly man. It was hard work, poor fellow. No wonder. The
mutually interests them at this season. Nearly all of our music teachers are players never looked at him. But then there was no need of it. He kept
organists, or choir leaders, or, at least, they sing in choirs. The worthy time with his foot—a No. 14 brogan—loud enough to be heard in the furthest
and thrifty music committees of the various churches very often treat their corner of the hall. He was so carried away by his enthusiasm, and fol-
special department of church work as churches do their sextons. The lowed the players to such an extent that he made a motion for every note, no
preacher must have his vacation, and a good, long one it is generally— matter whether long or short, in the measure. He is a far greater wonder
always at the church's expense, and often with a handsome purse thrown in than the aquarium with the escaped sea-lions. It was here that I enjoyed (?)
to make him sure of a good time. But only a few religious organizations for the first time in my life the luxury of eating clam chowder. I am enjoy-
are generous enough to give a holiday to their choirs. Hence there is, ing the memory of it yet. What won't New Yorkers eat—and suffer.
every year, at this season, or a little earlier, an interminable amount of
planning, so that one may help another without either missing the pleasures
KOSTER & BIAL'S.
and advantages of his summer trip. Of course the most obliging do the
most work at such periods, and some of the fraternity, to my knowledge,
A rare treat was the concert at Koster & Bial's, Rudolph Bial directing.
have given away every one of their Sundays, where brief vacations have been S. Liebling, the pianist, was greeted with much applause. He has great
allowed them in order to oblige personal friends whose church committees power and technique.
were less liberal.
METROPOLITAN CONCERT HALL.
JUVENILE OPERA.
One evening was spent at the Metropolitan Concert Hall. What a su-
It is a melancholy fact that the children's "Pinafore" is again promised perb building ! The fifty men in the orchestra are certainly fine musicians,
here. Two more "Fatinitza" performances were given last week at the Per- but the conductor, Rudolph Aronson, is a phenomenon. He is an automatic
manent Exhibition Building, in presence of small audiences. Mr. J. F. time-keeper—a human metronome. He did not face the musicians. His
Zimmerman, the manager, and founder of this idea of juvenile opera, an- right side was toward the musicians, the left toward the audience, and part
of the orchestra was behind him. He worked very hard. Once in a great
nounces "Pinafore" to follow "Fatinitza."
while he changed his automatic attitude by making a motion with his left
SUMMER GARDENS.
hand. He scratched the air with his fingers like a hen in the sand. The
The two musical successes of the season are in the summer garden line, only difference was—he did the scratching when there was no need of it—a
The Maennerchor more than holds it own, but it is too small to hold many, thing a hen would never do. Aronson a conductor ! New York a musical
and decidedly more limited in dimensions than in its present popularity. city ! Can they stand such a humbug in so musical a city ? Aronson is cer-
The orchestra gives a fresh programme every night. On Wednesday last tainly beyond his depth. The orchestra leads him. He cannot read the
Mozart's " Jupiter " symphony was performed to a crowded attendance. score. He had his hands and eyes full of work watching the melody so that
The only successful rival to the Mamnerchor Garden this season is Eidgway he could keep up with the players. I feel sorry for the fifty musicians, but
are paid for it. The young conductor excels, if not in conducting—or
Park. Bidgway Park is what Coney Island would look to be through the they
composing—at least, in possessing an amount of brass sufficient to supply the
wrong end of an opera glass. It is a summer garden with all the modern American
wind-instrument market.
improvements, but in miniature. The Park is located on an island in the
Delaware Biver, a few rods from the city wharves. It has been known for a
TAFFY.
generation past as Smith's Island, and for more than half that length of time
has been noted as the resort of bootblacks continuously, and shoulder-hitters
It is understood that I would not miss visiting the Music TRADE JORRNAL
occasionally. Last season it was taken in hand by Mr. Bidgway, a wealthy office. There I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Gotthold Carlberg, the
speculator, who is the present sole proprietor. He spent about $75,000 on eminent conductor and critic. He has a pleasant address, and is a gentle-
his pet project, and has been reaping a good return this summer. The Park man of high culture and refinement. Last but not least, the Music TKAD E
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
JOTTRN-AXu
9
Little would such a person appreciate the works of the great masters—the sublime
principals, Mr. "Welles, the editor and proprietor, and Mr. Walker,
the business manager. They may consider the praise they so well deserve strains of Beethoven, for instance. How narrow and contracted his views of the divine
mere flattery—and may cut me off—so I will only say they are immense in art must be. In its highest and most elevating sense it would have no charms for him,
because, beyond his comprehension. To him, little simple and melodious pieces are the
their manner of conducting that paper. I shall never forget them.
form of music. True music occupies an infinitely higher sphere than this. He
MAKK F. LOW, Mansfield, Ohio. highest
hates discords, and yet music without them would be intolerably flat and insipid. More
JOURNAL
than one-half of all the chords in use are discords, though not of the worst class.
Music in this town is rather dull just now. The " h o t wave," or something else,
GAEL'S NOTES FROM BURLINGTON, IOWA.
has had a bad effect on it. Occasionally I hear the screechings of some church choir, or
the
desperate
endeavors of some lone performer, but that is all.
BURLINGTON, Iowa, July 20, 1880.
One hundred and four in the shade, and still you have the audacity to ask me to send
DR. H. R. PALMER.
you a letter! All right; if I melt in the attempt, you're to blame.
I have just received a letter from Prof. H . R. Palmer, in which he states that he
PIRATES.
has been created Doctor of Music by the Chicago University—a most worthy and appro-
A. D. HASSING.
" T h e Pirates of Penzance," as given by D'Oyle Carte's Company, was one of the priate bestowal of that degree.
best entertainments we have had in a long time. A large and enthusiastic audience
greeted the new faces. The several solo parts were well taken, the choruses were good,
and the orchestra did effective service; but the entire performance was spoiled in a
measure by the hall, and by the stage, which is positively the worst in the State.
HALLETT & DAVIS.—A Hallett & Davis grand is in one of the parlors of
NEW OPERA HOUSE.
TRADE NOTES.
Congress Hall, Saratoga.
MASON & HAMLIN.—A three per cent, dividend has lately been declared
by the Mason & Hamlin Organ Co.
BROWN.—Brown's Boston Brigade Band delights the hosts of people who
flock to the Congress Spring Park every afternoon and evening.
MRS. DORR RESIGNS.
DITSON.—Mrs. Oliver Ditson, wife of the celebrated Boston music pub-
There is positively nothing new on the tapis in the way of amusements. The churches lisher, is mentioned as one of the guests at the Ocean House, Newport.
are closing up and giving their ministers a vacation, and as every one says: "it's too con-
LOTHIAN.—Napier Lothian's Band, from Boston, furnishes excellent music
founded hot now to do anything." Speaking of churches, reminds me that Mrs. R. R. at the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga. It draws crowds of people every
Dorr has resigned her position as organist of the Congregational Church. Her health evening.
will not allow her to continue. I sincerely regret the change, for to her the church is in-
BERNSTEIN.—Bernstein, the popular dance music leader of this city, has
debted for a great, a radical, and a needed change in its music. She has made out of the
material for singers which she has had to work with as much as one could make. Mrs. a small band at Congress Hall, Saratoga, but it does good service, and is
Dorr has had to work harder than she ought, and has been obliged to neglect her indi- particularly effective at hops.
vidual practice. We trust the church will get an organist as energetic as Mrs. Dorr.
CmcKERiNG.—Mrs. C. T. Chickering, wife of the representative of the
New York house of Chickering & Sons, was among the spectators at the Ben-
PROFESSOR MESSE.
nett polo game at Newport, last Saturday.
We learn that Prof. Messe, from New York, is in the city, and intends locating here.
HALLETT & DAVIS PIANOS.—Messrs. Horace Waters & Co. inform us that
From what we have learned of him, we can welcome him to our musical circle.
they secured the sole and exclusive agency for the State of New York, for
PROMISED ARRIVALS.
the Hallett & Davis piano, from the Hallett & Davis Piano Manufacturing
Rumor has it that another professor from the East is coming here to look after our Company, of Boston.
orchestra business. We can assure the gentleman that he will find the largest field for
TONK.—Mr. Max Tonk, manufacturer of piano stools, piano chairs,
improvement in the world, and will be heartily welcomed.
music portfolios, drum-sticks, fifes, bones, violin finger-boards, etc., in
THE TRADE.
Chicago, and who is a brother of the gentleman who has charge of J. Bauer
Our enterprising music dealer, Mr. James A. Guest, who is constantly doing some- & Co's establisment in this city, proposes opening a branch store in this
thing to help trade, intends giving away next month a splendid new piano to one of his city.
customers. The idea is a novel one. Both of our music houses seem to be busy, and are
OEGTJTNETTE.—Small mechanical orguinettes are extensively employed
constantly receiving new instruments.
by blind and otherwise afflicted parties at Saratoga, for the purpose of ex-
DON'T YOU FORGET IT.
tracting small coins from the pockets of the passers-by. They are eminently
Regarding the twaddle of the Gazette and Mr. Wilcox, which you re-published in successful, and attract much more attention and money than the hackneyed
your last issue, I care nothing for it whatever. I do not wish to court controversy with hand-organ.
people who either do not know what they are talking about, or who sacrifice their honest
MCCAMMON.—Mr. Edward McCammon, although ignorantly roported to
convictions to personal feeling. Their attitudes are not at all becoming, and I assure them have been in town last week, writes us that he was prevented from visiting
most emphatically, that I shall continue, as heretofore, to write just what 1 think every Brooklyn during the semi-annual encampment of the Grand Army, to which
time, and the above-mentioned people will please not forget it.
he was a delegate, by the absence of his book-keeper, who is suffering from
CARL.
the effects of a sun-stroke.
CHICKEKING & SONS.—On July 22d, 1880, piano No. 57,000 was numbered
A. D. HASSING'S LETTER FROM CANASERAGA. N. Y.
at the factory of Messrs. Chickering & Sons, and by a singular coincidence,
CANASERAGA, N. Y., July 26, 1880.
the house (established in 1823), is just 57 years old. No other house in the
trade can show such a record. The registers are complete, and the history,
A CALL UPON W. F. GRAVES, OK CASTILE.
sale and destination of each of these 57,000 pianos can be traced.
While on a visit to the town of Castile, in this neighborhood, the other day, I
called on Mr. W. F. Graves, who is always very obliging, and who showed me through
CONTINENTALS.—The Worcester Continentals, a " crack " military organ-
his establishment. I first took a look at the organs, among which I noticed the Mason & ization, were to be in Newport on Wednesday of this week, and remain until
Hamlin, Prince, Clough & Warren, and half a dozen other makes. Some of them were Friday. Mr. Charles Fischer, of the Munroe Organ Reed Co., and Mr.
really superb instruments, particularly one made by Clough & Warren, having 15 or 16 Woodford, of the Loring & Blake Organ Co., are members of this organiza-
stops, besides full organ stop, etc., and a superior tone. Then came the pianos : There
tion, and look just too lovely for anything in their Continental uniform.
were the Fischer, Decker Bros., Weber, and others.
Mr. Graves is one of the largest piano and organ dealers in this part of the state. He
KETTEN'S PATENT PIANOFORTE ACTION.—The American patent, 224,091,
keeps continually on hand 100 instruments, and sells about 500 annually, or nearly two "Pianoforte action," is the invention of the French pianist, M. Henri Ketten,
per day. Within the last 15 days he has sent instruments to Illinois, Kansas, and Ne- and it has been purchased by Messrs. Chickering. It is too complicated for
braska, and his trade extends to many other states. This large and extensive trade Mr.
description, and, we believe, for utility.—London and Provincial Music
Graces has gradually worked up during the 27 years he has been in the business.
A few days since Mr. Graves took a Weber Centennial Concert Grand Piano to Trades Review. This was the opinion, we believe, that Mr. Chickering also
Jamestown, to be used in Dr. Root's Normal. He reports the prospects of the Normal arrived at.
as good. I should very much like to see the doctor, and have a hearty hand-shake
WEBEK GRAND.—We recently heard Mr. Newell, "the gifted young
with him.
American pianist," playing a Weber grand in the parlors of the United States
PROF. A. J. VAN VLEET.
Hotel, at Saratoga. Considering that the United States permitted Weber to
While at Mr. Graves' establishment, I met Prof. A. J. Van Vleet, who makes his blatantly advertise his pianos in its parlors by sticking a big gilt lettered
home there part of the time. Just then he was very attentive to what might once have sign-board on the side of the grand, he might at least have furnished an in-
been an organ, but which now looks as if it had been struck by a cyclone. I imagine he strument less tubby in the base.
was having a hard tustle with the thing, for he frequently stopped to rest, backing off a
WENDELL.—Mr. C. E. Wendell, of Albany, was in town the first of this
few feet, but only t® return to the conflict with renewed energy. I had a pleasant chat
with the Professor, who is a rising and able young musician. He has held several con- week. He is pleased with his new and beautiful store, and says that he is
ventions hereabouts, and already commenced his career as a composer. I wish him confident of doing a large retail business whenever the fall trade opens. He
abundant success.
says that the prospects for the Marshall & Wendell piano are fine. He
has the agency for the Knabe piano, and we trust that he will receive better
CASTILE'S MUSICAL SOCIETY.
Castile has a flourishing musical society, with several hundred dollars in its treasury. protection from Knabe & Co. than most of their agents do.
The principal music teacher, I believe, is a Miss Chase. I regretted not having time to
HAND GUIDE.—Dans une lettre publiee dans le Musio TKADE JOUKNAL
get acquainted with more musical people there.
de New York du 20 juillet, M. Joseph Gould, ci-devant marchand de pianos
et d'harmoniums de cette ville, offre en vente la patente du Guide-mains
DISCORDANT SUBJECTS.
automatique de Bohrer, dont il avait fait l'acquisition. Cette utile invention,
Not long ago I had a talk with a man on musical subjects, who told me several things qui Ton dit etre superieure a celle de meme genre de Kalkbrenner, a deja
I did not know before. He informed me that, on an average, there were ten organs and
melodeons to one piano in New York State. This surprised me somewhat. He then fait son chemin dans la plupart des pays de l'Europe et de l'Amerique.—
I am pleased to learn that a movement is on foot to build a $50,000 Opera House in
this town. One-half that sum has already been subscribed. I sincerely hope the project
will not fall through. The projectors will receive the heartfelt thanks of the entire city
if they will build a decent opera house. I was pleased also to learn that D'Oyle Carte's
Company is meeting with success through the country; it certainly deserves it.
proceeded to inform me that there was five times as much music in an organ (reed organ Le Canada Musical.
he had reference to) as in a piano. Of course this surprised me still more. Not content,
THE BBATTLEBOEO BANK.—A meeting of the stockholders of the ruined
he enlightened me still farther, this time to the fact that there was no melody—no music— First National Bank was held at Brattleboro on Monday last. The meeting
nothing but discords, in classical and difficult pieces, and no one, not even the composers instructed Receiver Price to use his influence toward putting the fugitive
themselves, thought anything else. Now, this really dumbfounded me, as I had always
thought differently. How sorry I was that I had been deluded so long. But lastly, and president, S. M. Waite, into insolvency. Upward of $1,000 was subscribed
to cap the climax, he informed me that if the seven tones of any scale were simultaneously by the stockholders and others as a reward for the return of Waite, and a
sounded, they would produce a discord! Here my astouishment completely overcame committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions from others who have man-
ifested a willingness to pay for his capture.
me. So much wonderful information in such a short time entirely silenced me.

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