Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1881 Vol. 4 N. 9

Page 8 Text:

June 5th, 1881.
MUSICAL
CRITIC AND TRADE
REVIEW.
138
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season, for the balance of her claim. She has sued me, and the trial of the
case will probably come off soon. I don't deny the debt, and I expect a
E have received from Mr. W. J. D. Leavitt, of Boston, the libretto of judgment will be rendered in her favor. In 1877 I made $30,000 with
a cantata entitled " The Lord of the Sea" in two parts, words by Miss Kellogg and Miss Cary; in 1878 I neither made nor lost anything;
Chaa. F. Pidgin, music by W. J. D. Leavitt.
in 1879 I lost $50,000, and in 1880, by bad speculations, I ran behind
This cantata is founded on two old'legends of the Danish King Canute's about $24,000." Referring to the Boucicault troupe, Mr. Strakosch said:
leign in England; one described in the lines
" I engaged them for sixteen weeks, but they only played half the season,
" Merrily sang the monks of Ely,
and for this half I paid salaries."
As Canute the king was passing by,
Row nearer bo atmen, said the king.
And let us hear these churchmen sing."
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT MADAME MEARS.
The other legend is the well-known one of Canute's rebuke to his cour-
CHARMING musical, literary and dramatic entertainment was given at
tiers, by placing his throne on the beach in the path of the incoming tide,
the residence of Madame A. C. Mears, in Madison avenue, New York city,
to show them that there was one thing at least which did not obey the king's
on Friday evening, May 27th, which attracted a large and fashionable
command.
The following address of a courtier to the king may be regarded as a audience, consisting of the friends and relatives of the attendant pupils.
The latter showed much proficiency in the respective exercises, and whether
sample of the literary quality of the work:
in English or French, in music, composition or elocution, afforded proof of
" With giant might, the breaking waves
the careful training to which they have been subjected. The first part of
Dash on our English shore;
the programme consisted of the following numbers:—" Caprice Hongrois,"
If thou speakst not, the breaking waves
duo, by Miles. Barney and Howell; " Salutatory," by Mile. Mallory; " Recol-
Will dash forevermore.
lections of My School Life," essay by Mile. Seligman; "Souvenir d'Ame-
If thou should'st speak, the breaking waves
rique," solo, (R. Joseffy), Mile. Spooner; "Semper Sursum," essay by Mile.
At thy command will be
Content; " Other Years are Coming," essay by Mile. Gilbert; " Meeting and
As still as death, the breaking waves
Parting," solo, by (LaVilla) Mile. Z. de Lussan; "Valedictory," by Mile.
^ Will own thy mastery."
We have no t yet seen the musical portion of the work for it has not yet Spooner; " Address to the Graduates," by Rev. Dr. C. C. Tiffany; distribu-
been printed, but if the musician has performed his part as well as the tion of diplomas. Part two composed the following selections:—"Fly Away
Birdling," chorus, by Miles. Shreve Burge, A. Burge, Williams. Stager,
librettist the work will be worth hearing.
Bijur, Hutchins, Barney, Baxter, Ludeling, Robinson, VanDusen and Burt,
from Franz Abt; "Marguerite ou La Robe Perdue," dialogue Frangais, by
CONCERT OF THE ARION CLUB, PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Miles, de Perinat, McGourkey, F. Gilbert, de Fontaine, Howell, Granbery,
N audience comprising the elite of the city of Providence listened with Conner, R. Content, Corbin, Williams, Van Dusen, E. Robinson, Rans3n,
the keenest delight to a concert by the Arion Club of this city given at Seeley and Spooner; solo, by Miss Sallie Reber; " McLean's Child," recita-
Amateur Dramatic Hall, on Friday evening, May 20th. The Arion Club ia tion by Mile. Baxter, (Charles Mackay); "Mes Regrets," song, by Mile.
a new organization and this was their second concert. The first given some Ludeling; "Emilie et Beatrice," duo, by Miles. Barney and Spooner, (Fer-
time in February with very gratifying success, led us to expect an unusually dinand Beyer). The chorus was directed by Signor Bina, one of the
fine one for the second, and we were not disappointed. The voices, about professors of the institution, and was a compliment to his skill as a musician.
one hundred and twenty-five, had been selected with commendable care and "La Robe Perdue " served not only to show the progress of the young ladies
very carefully trained by Mr. Jules Jordan, many of the singers being his in French, but indicated a degree of dramatic talent that would have deserv-
©wn pupils. The club is supported by an associate membership of three ed praise for many older performers. Dancing and refreshments followed
hundred, and it is to the credit of the musical public of Providence that the the entertainment. These performances are given annually for the purpose
of testing in the presence of the parents the proficiency of the pupils and the
associate list is nearly full already.
The programme consisted of Barnby's Cantata of " Rebekah " for the variety of culture to which they are subjected.
first part, and for the second a mixed chorus, "Sunset," by Gade; Swedish
song by Soederbeg, for tenor solo and obligato accompaniment, for female
Toices; " More and More," part song for male voices; "Ganymede," by
THE MUSIC FESTIVAL OF 1882.
Loewe, mixed voices; " Brier Rose," by Vierling, for female voices; "The
N important meeting of the Council of the Music Festival Association,
Wood-Lark," Stanley, for male voices, and " Gipsey Life," by Schumann.
which is to give the Festival next year under the direction of Theodore
In the cantata the solos were in the hands of Mrs. Grace Hitly Gleason,
soprano; Mr. Herbert E. Brown, tenor, and Mr. J. E. Williams, bass, all Thomas, took place May 27th in the Directors' room of the Equitable Assur-
well known and entirely satisfactory. The ehoruses were finely sung and ance Society, which has generously been placed at the disposal of the asso-
the whole work made an excellent impression. Mr. Jordan made a great ciation for their meetings. The following gentlemen were present: Messrs.
success in the Swedish song with voice accompaniment, singing with his W. W. Astor, James W. Alexander, Frederick D. Blake, William R. Bunker,
well known beauty of tone, finish and expression. He was enthusiastically Frederic Cromwell, George William Curtis, Joseph W. Drexel, John D.
Elwell, Cyrus W. Field, B. T. Frothingham, Dr. A. G. Gerster, Isaac Hen-
encored.
The ladies also made a hit with their song " Brier Rose," which was re- derson, Jr., J. Otis Hoyt, Richard Irvin, Jr., Louis C. Louis, Daniel A.
peated. " More and More " by the gentlemen was demanded a second time, Lindley, Daniel Lord, Jr., Seth Low, Joseph Lyman, Henry G. Marquand,
but was responded to by substituting " Forsaken." Mr. Jordan ought to be Edward. L. Owen, C. A. Peabody, Jr., J. C. Rodrigues, Samuel S. Sandford,
congratulated on his success with the club. He sails for Europe soon for a Henry Seligman, Herbert Seymour, Charles F. Tretbar, Theodore Thomas,
three months' trip. On his return the rehearsals will be resumed and next Cornelius Vanderbilt, William A. White, Henry N. Whitney, Dr. Frederick
season's concerts are eagerly looked forward to by the fortunate associate Zinsser. The Finance Committee reported subscriptions to the guarantee
fund to the extent of about $55,000, and it was unanimously agreed to raise
members.
fund to $75,000 to $100,000 in order to induce a still wider interest in
The club were ably sustained by accompaniments by Mr. John H. this
the affairs of the association among the public spirited citizens of New York
Mason, piano, and Mr. A. A. Stanly, organist.
and Brooklyn. The Hall Committee reported that Steinway Hall had been
placed at the disposal of the association for the private rehearsals of the New
MAX STRAKOSCH'S ASSIGNMENT.
York chorus, and that the same large church in Brooklyn which was used
AX STRAKOSCH made an assignment, May 26th, to Charles H. Neil- last Winter for the rehearsals of the Brooklyn Philharmonic chorus would
son for the benefit of his creditors without preference. The absence be used this year also for the Brooklyn chorus. Large accessions to both
from the city of Mr. Strakosch, who is in Philadelphia, and his lawyer, who choruses were reported, and it was announced that Wednesdays in New
is in Boston, and the circumstance that the schedules of assets and liabili- York, at Steinway Hall, and Wednesdays and Saturdays in Brooklyn, at
ties were not filed, make it impossible to obtain an accurate statement of his Chandler's, would be regularly set apart for the trial of voices for these
choruses. It is the intention of Mr. Thomas to accept only good voices
financial condition.
The assignment is the outcome partly of an unfortunate season as mana- combined with ability to read music. So much interest has been created in
ger and agent for several singers, and partly is the sequel of the failure of his this Festival among the quartette singers in the churches in New York and
last opera ventures. Mr. Strakosch was Mile. Litta's manager, and became Brooklyn, and so many prominent singers have agreed to join the choruses
involved recently with her in a financial way but the difficulty was com- for the honor of the occasion that it is believed the choruses will be largely
promised. He was also indebted in a considerable sum, $1,000 or more, to made up of experienced singers. Offers of assistance have also been
Mile. Belocca who brought suit against him and was on the point of taking acknowledged from Newark and Jersey City, from many places in New York
judgment by default. Mile. Du Sault and a number of other singers be- State, and from Philadelphia and Boston. For the- Handel night, and per-
sides other persons, had secured or were about to secure judgments against haps for the Beethoven night, the chorus will number not less than 2,000
him, and it is claimed that he made the assignment in order that all the voices An architect's plan of the Handel Festival chorus stage in the
assets of which he is possessed might be divided equitably among all his Crystal Palace is now on its way hither. The engagement of Mr. Frederick
ereditors. A portion of his liabilities is in the shape of unliquidated A. Schwab, who is to proceed at once to Europe to make arrangements for
damages for breaches of contracts so that it will be some time before the the appearance of several great vocalists and instrumentalists, and who will
exact state of affairs is known. Charles H. Neilson, the assignee, is Mr. undertake the business management of the Festival, was also reported. The
engagements of the artists, and of several notable European musicians and
Strakosch's brother-in-law.
composers whose presence will also be secured, will be announced as soon as
effected.
Since the above was printed Mr. Strakosch has returned from Phila-
delphia, and has made the following statement in regard to his assignment
{or the benefit of his creditors: "My liabilities are about $30,000. My
Mme. Patti has, it is stated, again changed her mind about her pro-
assets consist of a wardrobe and music which I have been many years col- jected American tour. The latest idea is that she will have a farewell season
lecting, and which cost me about $40,000 or $50,000. The property is at Covent Garden next year, after the manner of Signor Mario's farewell at
insured for $10,000. My lawyer says I have debts for which I am legally the same theatre ten years ago. Her farewell of the provinces and the con-
responsible, although there is no moral responsibility. The creditors of this tinent will be taken next winter and a farewell tour in the United States in
elass claim $5,000. They are members of the Boucicault troupe, and if lam 1882-1883 will close her career. Such at any rate is said to be the latest idea,
forced to pay them under judgments, my other creditors, to whom I owe but as Mme. Patti's plans have been changed three times in as many months,
just debts, will get but a small proportion for their claims. I made the nobody will be surprised if they be changed again.—London Figaro.
assignment to protect my real creditors and to prevent the payment of claims
Clara Louisa Kellogg has been stopping in Milan.
to those who are trying to obtain money from me for services never perform-
ed. My creditors, nearly all of whom are in this city, are employees and
Musard, the founder of the concerts in the Champs Elysees, Paris, the
artists who have been connected with my company, and printers. I have celebrated composer of dance music, and orchestral leader, died recently at
been tormented by Mile. Anna Belocca, now in Paris, who was with me one sea on the voyage from Algeria. He leaves a fortune estimated at $880,000.
THE LORD OF THE SEA.
W
A
A
A
M

Page 9 Text:

June 5th 1881.
MUSICAL
CRITIC AND -- TRADE
REVIEW.
Music
Trade Review -- © THE
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139
3b
DOMESTIC
VOL. IV.
.AJ>TE> E X P O R T
TRADE.
No. 9.
NEW YOKE, JUNE 5TH, 1881.
CONDITION OF TRADE.
IGNORANCE, OR MALICE ; WHICH ?
OR the past two weeks the music trade in this city has been undeniably-
E reprint the following extract from the London and Provincial Music
quiet, and the spring "boom" which everybody anticipated last winter
Trades Review, because it is remarkable for presenting statements,
•did not arrive, although taking into consideration the large increase in capa- hardly one of which is in accordance with the facts of the case:
city for production as compared with last year, we may safely say that the
" To pass to the particular libel in point. It seems that Mr. Welles is
spring business has been a fair one.
in the habit of traveling through the States to interview dealers and manu-
The reasons why the trade has not been very active this spring may be facturers in various towns. Many of his contemporaries do the same thing,
readily found in the fact that the winter of 1880-81 was an exceptionally and we trust the game is found worth the candle. Among other places Mr.
hard one for the whole country, except the far Western States and those Welles visited the city of Buffalo, and called upon a manufacturer named
bordering on the Pacific coast; the losses of the farmers and others in stock Christian Kurtzman. Mr. Kurtzman, for reasons which do not appear, and
and goods, on account of the severe winter and the floods in the early which do not particularly signify, walked away and refused to see him,
spring, have been very large and as luxuries are the things which can be whereupon Mr. Welles Avrote, signed, and published in his paper the libel
most easily dispensed with, pianos and organs are the first to feel any in question He declared Mr, Kurtzman' had allowed himself to drop from
diminution in the surplus at the disposal of the people after their necessities a fair position among the makers of cheap instruments to one where he is
have been supplied.
scarcely noticed by the trade and the public;' that his factory was ' a queer,
The losses experienced during the hard winter while they had their dusty looking place, giving one the impression that everything was run on a
effect in diminishing the numbar of instruments sold have not been severe slipshod principle;'that Air. Kurtzman 'was a rather dilapidated looking
enough to affect the commercial standing of the trade, which is in as good old individual;' that when Mr. Kurtzman denied himself he ' was guilty of
condition as it was twelve months ago, and although we have heard much an unnecessary lie;' that a worxman was meanwhile ' tinkering an old worm-
croaking about what will happen if trade continues to be as dull, and col- eaten piano;' and that the reason Mr. Kurtzman refused to see him was be-
lections as slow as they have been during the past thirty days, we have yet cause he owed money for advertisements to a defunct periodical and mis-
took Mr. Welles for a representative of that journal. From an English point
to see any positive grounds for such forebodings.
The past season has been an exceptionally fine one for the growing of view the libel is strong enough in all conscience, and, whether true or
crops. All the indications point to an enormous surplus when they are har- not, its obvious bias would be quite sufficient to prove legal ' malice.'
vested, and as a prosperous season is always discounted at the earliest
" The course adopted was, however, most extraordinary. A warrant
moment, we may soon expect to see a revival of general activity in the was applied for, of course ex parte, and Mr. Welles was arrested, hurried
trade.
from the presence of his wife, and taken to the police office. No particulars
were afforded him of the indictment, but Mr. Welles was thrown into prison.
After an interval he was taken before the police justice, again remanded, and
SOHMER Ss CO.'S PROGRESS.
remained all night in prison, tasting prison diet, and being otherwise treated
HPHE house of Sohmer & Co., although it is not one of the oldest in the with scandalous indignity. The next day a habeas corpus was applied for,
_L piano trade, yet it has won an excellent reputation, both by the quality and Mr. Steinway became bail for 100/. Were the vagaries of American law
of its goods, and the integrity of its business dealings. It has never played not so notorious as they are, we should marvel that a man of some position,
the laggard, having always "kept abreaat of the times in the improvement and at any rate a man who could easily be found when he was wanted,
of its pianos, and using only legitimate, enterprising means to push its should in a free country, and on an ex parte indictment, be treated like a
instruments into every quarter of the country where good pianos are sought political offender in a country under martial law.
after and appreciated.
" Whatever may be the result of the present case, we, however, hope
By untiring energy, and close attention to the smallest details of their that it will give a check to the system of gross personalities in which a few
large manufactory, they have won for themselves the respect of their com- of the American papers indulge. It is indeed monstrous that because a man-
petitors, the admiration of the general music trade and of the musical pro- ufacturer, in the exercise of his undoubted right, refuses to see a newspaper
fession, and the esteem of the public.
interviewer, he should be subjected to such remarks as those we have
A particularly admirable thing about this house, in our eyes, is the un- quoted. Such a libel would, if printed in England, subject the writer and
ostentatious way in which they go about their business. You never hear of publisher to a common law action or a criminal information."
Sohmer & Co. interfering with other people. They make no effort to dis-
turb competitors or detract from their standing. They do not stand upon
the street corners, and loudly proclaim their own merits to the passer by,
yet they are always pushing their pianos into the market, and they keep
their name before the public in a quiet and instructive manner.
F. A. NORTH & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
Messrs. Sohmer & Co. 's trade has never grown so rapidly during an
Louis Meyer. A Schuylkill boat song. Barcarole for piano. 50 cts.
equal space of time, as during the past year. So great has been the in-
creased demand made upon them, that not long ago they were obliged to
Louis Meyer. "A Twilight Vision." Song for soprano or tenor. 40
increase their facilities very extensively. A large number of their new cents.
agencies are in Canada where their piano is taking a high rank.
Louis Meyer. "Baby Sleep, Softly Sleep." Lullaby. 35 cts.
A notable fact is that many of Sohmer & Co. 's agents are not only men
of high standing in business, but they are excellent musicians and are able to
Louis Meyer. " Forest Echoes." Idyl for the piano. 40 cts.
judge conclusively of the qualities of a piano. Among the dealers who have
Louis Meyer. " Mountaineer's Song of Home." For the piano. 50 cts.
been especially successful with this instrument are Mr. A. Bruenn, of Oak-
land, California, who is a musician of local note; Lavigne & Lajoie, of Mon-
Louis Meyer. "Thro' the Valleys Green I Roam." A home song.
treal, Canada, Harwood & Beardsley, of Boston, both of whom are fine 35 cts.
musicians, and Winters & Nelson, of Chattanooga, who are earnest, pushing
T. B. HAKMS & CO., NEW YORK.
representatives and sell the "Sohmer" pianos in Alabama, Georgia and
Tennessee. Mr. Beardsley, of Harwood & Beardsley, Boston, remarked to
R. H. L. Watson. Te Deum in E flat. 25 cts.
some of the firm just before his recent departure for Europe that the
GRAND CONSERVATORY PUBUSHING CO., 2 1 EAST 14TH STREET, NKW YORK.
"Sohmer" upright was the most artistic of all uprights.
The latest style of instrument which has been offered to the public by
Ernst Eberhard. " So We'll Go no More a Roving." Song. 50 cts.
this house is their " Baby Grand," and since its first appearance they have
SCHREINER'S MUSIC HOUSE, SAVANNAH, GA.
been hardly able to keep a sample in their warerooms, as each instrument is
generally sold before it is finished.
Herman L. Schreiner. Central Rail Road Waltzes. Price 75 cents.
The illustrations given with Sohmer &, Co. 's advertisement on another
Azariah H. Hastings, of New York city, has patented an upright piano-
page afford an idea of the various styles manufactured by this firm. Their
square and upright instruments are too well-known and appreciated to need forte frame. No. of Patent, 241,212. Application filed June 24th, 1880.
any special description here. Their concert grand pianos are much admired
Dietrich, of Baltimore, Md., has patented a machine for shaping
by artists and have been used during the past season at a large number of piano William
legs. No. of Patent, 241,316. Application filed March 18th, 1881.
concerts, on which occasions the musicians performing upon them heartily
Mr. John W. Trainer, of Fort Wayne, Ind., has patented a reed organ
praised their excellent qualities.
stop action. No. of Patent, 241,757. Application filed Feb. 12th, 1881.
A fire on the morning of May 23rd, in Cleveland, Ohio, damaged the
Mr. Albert Weber is to be married to Miss Merrie Clowes of this city on
Whitney & Raymond organ factory.
Tuesday evening, the 7th inst.
Our correspondent, " Hornet," writes from Des Moines, Iowa, that W.
The New England Piano Co. is the latest candidate for public favor in
H. Lehman, agent for Story & Camp of Chicago, has sold his stock of small
Boston.
goods and musical merchandise to J. H. Goodrich, who will continue the
Mr. Jas. B. Woodford, Secretary and Treasurer of the Loring & Blake business. P. T. Locke, the general agent for Kimball of Chicago has added
Organ Co., Worcester, Mass., is reveling in the fact that trade with his firm a fine stock of sheet music, books and general musical merchandise to his
is steady, and that the demand keeps so nearly abreast of their capacity to list of goods. He expects to visit the East soon. Trade in the section of the
supply.
country from which our correspondent writes is rather quiet.
F
W
NEW
PUBLICATIONS.

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