Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
234
IN LONDON.
METZLER & CO.—THE! MASON £ HAMLIN ORGAN
— THE MASON & HAMUN PIANO—THE
STATUS OF MASON & HAMLIN IN GREAT
BRITAIN—BOOSEY & CO.—MR. LEY-
TON—A VISIT TO ASHDOWN'S—
THE '' HARDMAN ' ' PIANO—
HERRBURGER-SCHWAN-
DER AND THE JUNIOR
ACTION.
BECHSTEIN— MAX LINDLAR— BLUTHNER AND
THE WORLD'S FAIR.
seems to be an impression abroad
among members of the London trade that
Metzler & Co. are rather too conservative in
their methods, but they undoubtedly manage to
maintain their old and eminent position in the
British and colonial field, notwithstanding out-
side opinions as to what "they ought to do."
Metzler & Co. have represented Mason & Hamlin
for many years with considerable success and
with satisfaction to all concerned. During a
formal call at their establishment, 42 Great
Marlborough street, on September 22, I was
courteously received by the principal. His
name I cannot give owing to an objection on his
part, for he believes that all personality of that
character should be absorbed in the firm name.
Your correspondent, however, cannot acknow-
ledge the courtesies received while visiting there
without becoming to a small extent personal.
In referring to the return home of Mr. E. P.
Mason, Metzler & Co.'s principal graciously
read me an extract from a letter received that
morning from Mr. Mason, giving an account of
his experiences under quarantine. After a short
conversation on various topics, I was introduced
to the manager of the organ and piano depart-
ment and given in charge.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Metzler & Co. are fortunate in having such a
gentlemanly and capable manager in these de-
partments. Apart from politeness and attention,
it was indeed a pleasure to note his intelligent
acquaintance with the constructive and artistic
features of the American organ, and with the
Mason & Hamlin in particular.
Metzler & Co. handle several special styles of
Mason & Hamlin organs besides the regular
stock instruments, and they have originated
several titles of import in their sphere of action.
For instance, there is the "Queen's Model,"
style 512 ; also several others.
I noticed a unique style of instrument from
the Mason & Hamlin shops specially designed
for India and the British colonies. The case is
Florida red cedar carefully seasoned. Insoluble
glue is employed throughout, and iron is entirely
dispensed with. Where metal is necessary cop-
per and brass are used. The key ivories and
ebonies are secured by rivets, and the bellows,
partitions of the reed cells and all parts of the
actions are similarly fastened. Tempered and
whitened brass is employed for the springs.
Wire cloth is also used as a covering on the
openings, and, in short, every difficulty peculiar
to extreme climates is anticipated and a remedy
provided. Styles 447 and 512 are supplied in
that form. These instruments find a very large
market. Mason & Hamlin manufacture another
model for the use of missionaries and travelers,
a portable baby organ. Meanwhile Metzler &
Co. keep a large stock of the Liszt styles for
domestic sale.
*
*
*
*
*
*
The position of the Mason & Hamlin organ
in the musical, artistic, and social life of the
United Kingdom is, indeed, a proud one. It is
to be found in the castles, homes and churches
of royalty, and what is a still higher testimonial,
in the sanctums of the leading composers and
instrumentalists, and in every circle where art
and the chief elements of refinement dominate.
While going through the showrooms of Metz-
ler & Co., their manager pointed out the various
styles which have been supplied to the Queen,
the ex-Empress Eugenie, Sir Arthur Sullivan,
Dr. Stainer, to Westminster Abbey and to scores
of other notable individuals and places, and
though these points were already familiar, their
repetition under the circumstances acquired
force and emphasis from the telling. It was not
necessary to tell the writer anything about the
musical character and triumphs of the Mason &
Hamlin organ, and yet when I left the Metzler
showrooms I left them with a still higher con-
ception of the instrument and its standing in
the United Kingdom.
Metzler & Co. have issued a series of original
compositions and arrangements of the classics,
for the purpose of bringing into wider recog-
nition the artistic possibilities of these instru-
ments. Arthur P. Schmidt, of Boston, is the
American publisher, but I am under the impres-
sion that Metzler & Co. were the initiators of
the idea, although I have no authority for the
statement. Among the names in the series,
which is entitled the "Liszt Organ Library,"
are to be found those of Dr. William Mason, F.
G. Dulcken, H. W. Nichols, B. J. Lang, H. H.
Huss, G. W. Chadwick, Arthur Foote, Bruno,
Oscar Klein and other eminent American com-
posers and organists, together with some of the
leading European composers. I notice, by the
way, a very effective and comprehensive arrange-
ment of Beethoven's '' Coriolanus '' overture,
from the pen of E. P. Mason, in the published
pieces.
*
*
*
*
*
*
The Mason & Hamlin piano has, so far,
moved very slowly in England, owing to its
price in the scale of German and English
prices. Its value as a musical product has, how-
ever, become established, but I think that the
significance of the tuning and stringing system
embodied in it has not yet dawned on the Brit-
ish mind. Mason & Hamlin have not been dis-
couraged, however. I ascertained that they
were about to supply Metzler & Co. with several
special styles. In India and the colonies these
ought to answer admirably. The tuning system
alone ought to render them singularly effective
for extreme climates.
Metzler & Co. report business to be excellent
in all departments. They also find that Arthur
P. Schmidt, of Boston, is pushing their musical
publications to much advantage under the pres-
ent copyright conditions, although the law is
yet incomplete in some of its chief features.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Mr. Leyton, the manager of Boosey & Co., in-
formed me that they are perfectly satisfied with
the progress of their publications in the United
States. It will certainly not be the fault of Mr.
Maxwell, the New York representative, if Boosey
& Co. do not find America a profitable field.
They have started out in the latter with several
advantages. In the first place, they are capably
and intelligently represented, while the free re-
production of some of their best ballads in the
past has made some of their writers already
known in the United States. I may remark
that some of the best songwriters compose al-
most exclusively for the house in question.
They report business in a general way to be
very satisfactory.
*
*
*
*
*
*
I called into the Ashdown place on Hanover
Square during my business visits, and was
pleasantly received by Mr. Allen in the absence
of Mr. Ashdown. He assured me that American
reports were very favorable. Their standard
series were being pushed to great advantage
from the new branch house in New York, which
Mr. Percy Ashdown has found to be a very suc-
cessful venture. The latter gentleman is, how-
ever, thoroughly acquainted with the American
field, which is a strong point to start from.
Ashdown's catalogues comprise vocal and in-
strumental and educational works of every de-
scription. The names of Batiste, Archer, Stern-
dale, Bennett, Sir Henry R. Bishop, Buck,
Gounod, and other equally eminent organists,
may be found in the Ashdown series. The
Ashdown edition of the classics and standard
pianoforte and vocal music is very comprehen-
sive, and indicative of a high purpose, and con-
siderable intelligence on the part of those who
built up and manage the business of the house at
present.
*
*
*
*
*
*
The " Hardman " is unquestionably one of
the best known American instruments sold in
Great Britain. The question of royal appoint-
ments aside, the "Ilardman" is entitled to
particular notice from your correspondent.
I was unable to travel to Scotland, specially
to interview Muir, Wood & Co., but I cor-
responded. I give the following epistolary
extract from Aberdeen, which will speak
for itself: " T h e Hardman pianos are at
present in use at Balmoral Castle for H. M. the
Queen; at Mar Lodge for IT. R. H. the Duchess
of Connaught, also in the Palace Hotel, a magni-
ficent building just opened by the G. N. S.
Railway Co., one of the finest hotels in Great
Britain." If Muir, Wood & Co. were located in
London, I might have been placed in possession
of more interesting and more numerous facts re-
garding the "Hardman," but the foregoing
speaks so far for the status of that excellent
musical production in Great Britain.
*
*
*
*
*
*
From Herrburger-Schwander, Paris, I also re-
ceived the annexed statement in a very courteous
communication r '' Trade is quite satisfactory
with us ; in fact, we are taxed to our utmost to
keep pace with the orders coming in, and hardly
know how to avoid getting behind with them.
Our new Junior action is largely patronized by
the trade, and gives general satisfaction. In re-
gard to the Chicago Exhibition, nothing has
been settled yet, so we cannot give you any def-
inite information on this score."
*
*
*
*
*
*
In order to ascertain the probable extent of
foreign musical instrument representation at the
World's Fair, I called on a large number of the
London manufacturers and on the local branches
of German houses ; among the latter, at the
Bluthner and Bechstein establishments in Weg-
niore street. Mr. Max Lindlar, manager of Bech-
stein's, was very polite but emphatic when he
said that his house would not participate in the
World's Fair. They saw no gain in exhibiting,
owing to the McKinley tariff. ' 'Give us an oppor-
tunity to compete with the American market and
we will readily participate in your exhibition, "
he said. " Come over to the United States with
some of your surplus capital, establish a branch
factory, and compete with American houses on
the economic and superior laws of the American
industrial and commercial sphere," the writer
answered. " Moreover, you will be welcomed
and given the same chances as established
houses." Mr. Lindlar smiled.
At Bluthner's I was informed that they would
also take no part in the Chicago Exhibition.
The McKinley tariff was given as the cause.
While in the office of Mr. Maxwell, the manager,
I noticed a handsomely framed portrait of Mr.
William Steinway over his desk, and was
pleased to note that indication of courteous and
friendly feeling toward the head of Steinway &
Sons. Inquiry subsequently revealed the fact
that Mr. Steinway is on excellent terms with
the Bluthner people.
DANIEL SPIX*LANE.