Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 23 N. 10

Page 11 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
An /Eolian Souvenir.
HE services of the renowned musical
critic, Henry T. Finck, have been en-
listed in the iEolian cause with the result
that we are favored with an artistic and
valuable treatise by this erudite writer in
which the artistic merits and musical pos-
sibilities of the ^Eolian receive just and
appreciable recognition.
Mr. Finck's reputation as a writer is much
too valuable to permit his endorsement of
any musical instrument unless that instru-
ment embodies merits of a unique and ar-
tistic order.
It is always a pleasure to write on affairs
pertaining to the ^Eolian Co., their
methods are so admirable, their product
so excellent. The possibilities for the
T
indulging in less refined amusements, and they
will soon learn to play the iEolian themselves, and
thus become familiar with the best classical music,
learning it as easily and unconsciously as their
mother tongue, whereas in the ordinary way of
hearing music but occasionally, a taste for it is
acquired as slowly and painfully as the knowledge
of a foreign language.
This is not the place to prove the value of music
in refining the manners and morals of children;
but if any mother or father has any doubts on that
point, they will find them met by the arguments I
have advanced in the essay on "Music and
Morals' in my "Chopin and other Musical Es-
says;" the principal one being that music weans
people Jrom low and demoralising
pleasures.
No boy who loves music will ever torture animals,
or be a rowdy in school or college.
Philosophers of all times have agreed as to the
moral and educational value of music; from Plato,
who said that music is atonic which does for the
mind what gymnastics do for the body, to Schopen-
hauer, who wrote that music is like a bath for the
mind, washing away all impurity and evil.
The fact that music has always been used as a
companion of religion and an aid to devotion, and
that it has been introduced as a refining influence
in the public schools of most countries, also bears
witness to its moral and educational value. In
Braumuller Co.
O
TTO L. BRAUMULLER, president
of the Braumuller Co. who returned
from an extended Western trip on Satur-
day last, states that the free silver wave is
very perceptibly receding, even in the re-
puted strongholds of the silver party.
"During my recent trip," stated Mr.
Braumuller to the REVIEW on Wednesday
last, " I took particular pains to make
careful enquiries regarding the general
political outlook. I passed through a num-
ber of so-called silver States, and learned
from undoubted authority that the Bry-
an strength was much exaggerated.
"There will be a big land-slide in No-
vember, you mark my words," said Mr.
Braumuller, and the silver party will be
right in it—Nit!"
Piano Workmen for McKinley.
HE piano workers are evidently not
strongly in favor of presidential can-
didate Bryan. The "World" is making a
canvass among the vvorkingmen for the
purpose of learning whom they favor for
President. Secret ballots are used. A bal-
lot of the employees of Haines Bros, this
week revealed twenty-one for McKinley,
two for Bryan and two for Palmer. It was
stated at the Haines factory that seven-
eighths of the men who will vote for
McKinley voted for Cleveland in 1892. A
ballot at the Kroeger Piano Co.'s factory
resulted in twenty-four for McKinley and
four for Bryan. The piano workers evi-
dently realize that idle or partly idle fac-
tories, which has been the rule under the
Democratic regime for the past couple of
years, is not quite to their advantage, hence
their pronounced tendency toward the Re-
publican candidate for President.
T
MUSIC ROOM OF MME. N0RD1CA, HOTEL SAVOY, N. Y. (SHOWING
really up-to-date ^Eolian dealer are un-
doubtedly great, the home office are gener-
ous, almost extravagant advertisers, ex-
pense is hardly considered in this matter—
the Nordica and De Reszke concerts to wit;
therefore, the initial work is done, and ad-
mirably done too, from headquarters.
It should be borne in mind, however, that
special adaptitude is required in the suc-
cessful handling of the y£olian, it is no
cheap business, but, given expert and intel-
ligent handling, the /Eolian agency can
easily be made a big money-maker.
Mr. Finck's treatise is charmingly illus-
trated with a number of admirable half-
tones, illustrating the music rooms and
apartments of noted artists in the various
hotels, and also giving portraits of the
artists themselves. We reproduce one of
the illustrations. Of the charm of Mr.
Finck's diction we will permit the following
extract to exemplify:
SOCIAL
AND EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF THE
/EOLIAN.
The most discouraging thing about music in
general is that it requires years of tiresome prac-
tice and drudgery to learn to play, and that this
practice must be kept up all the time or else your
fingers become " r u s t y " and stiff. The conse-
quence is that most women, when they are married
and assume the care of a household, give up their
music, thus losing one way of fascinating their
husbands and entertaining their children. The
^ o l i a n entails no such practice and sacrifice, and
a woman who has one in the house may find it a
useful ally in preventing the husband from spend-
ing his evenings at the club.
The children will be kept by the music from
churches, where it is desired to stimulate religious
fervor by some grand orchestral effects not attain-
able by a single organist, the iEolian will prove
invaluable; and so also will it in smaller churches
which cannot afford an expensive organ and organ-
ist. As for the public schools, if an yEolian were
placed iii every one of them, and the children
taught to play on it for their mutual gratification,
musical culture would progress with giant strides,
and many children who now dislike school would
then go with pleasure for the sake of the daily free
concert, at which they would become familiar with
all the best music of the past and present.
This is the kind of literature that appeals
to the intelligent buyer. The /Eolian Co.
can be congratulated on their latest "effort. "
Captivating "Capen."
HE Brockport Piano Mfg. Co., Brock-
port, N. Y., manufacturers of the
"Capen" piano, are pushing rapidly to the
front. The company write us that they
will soon have some new styles on the mar-
ket and add "our new styles are going to be
very handsome ones, and we believe that
they will hold their own with anything on
the market. We believe that business is
beginning to pick up a little, and we look
for better things after the election of Mc-
Kinley, which we are confident will take
place."
Mr. R. C. Hull, the general manager of
the concern, is an energetic business man,
and he proposes by live business methods
to place the "Capen" piano before the trade
in an attractive manner. The outlook for
the "Capen" is very promising.
T
"Better Times Are Coming."
HE Needham Piano & Organ Co., of
this city, are sending out some new
and unique advertising cards which should
be an immense aid to Needham agents in
making better known the instruments
which they handle. They are so neatly
designed that they will be preserved, and
then they cost the agents nothing.
In connection with these cards the Need-
ham Co. are sending out a leaflet in which,
under the caption " Better Times Are Com-
ing" they say: "Doubt and uncertainty
as to the result of the coming election is
-rapidly passing away and with the surety
of a sound National financial policy, confi-
dence is being restored, business is al-
ready improving and conservative dealers
are preparing for the season of prosperity
which is sure to follow.
"The beautiful new styles of Needham
pianos and organs are leading the way as
usual."
T
CRESSEY, JONES & ALLEN, of Portland, Me.,
have secured the agency for the Chickering
piano, which they will handle as their leader.

Page 12 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Dealers Express Their Views as to Fall Trade.
THIRD INSTALLMENT OF RESPONSES TO A LETTER OF . INQUIRY SENT OUT BY THE REVIEW
OPINIONS THAT WILL INFORM MANUFACTURERS AS TO THE SITUATION IN EVERY
SECTION OF THE UNION—DIVERGENT OPINIONS EXPRESSED BUT UNAN-
IMOUS AS TO PROSPERITY AFTER M'KlNLEY's ELECTION.
FACTS AND NOT HEARSAY OUR MOTTO.
we expect a steady trade, the same as we
have been having for the past three years
under the "gold cure" standard. Our trade
has been steady—ly decreasing.
After the election? We only wish we knew.
We sit up all night trying to figure it up so
that we can wager on the result correctly.
The sentiment out here has stopped grow-
ing for free silver; it has reached that point
where it is impossible for it to grow any
more. The growth was practically ended
some time ago, when the last gold-bug in
Colorado was anarchistically and heretically
slugged into that "deep sleep" by a vulgar
silver brick. He kicked to the last because
it was not a refined gold brick. Some peo-
ple are never satisfied.
We have no statement to make in par-
ticular about the effect of the great political
contest that is now going on. To tell the
truth, we don't think; we don't have to;
for since all the music trade papers are
kindly doing our thinking for us, why should
we sweat over these great financial ques-
tions?
Our personal opinion is that after the
election is over, every music dealer in the
country will give thanks, with the hope
that we may once more get some music
trade news from them that is worth read-
ing, instead of so much vile abuse, of not
only people who do not share their political
views, but also of each other.
Out here all are anarchists, repudiators,
heretics, crazy lunatics, etc., and between
Silverites, Gold-bug-ites, Populites, Prohi-
bitionites, Free-Trade-ites, Protection-ites,
Hanna-ites, Amorites, Moabites and Ama-
lekites, we are almost crazy. You see we
have to change our coat so often every day
that we go home at night feeling very
weary, and we wish that we had never been
born. " May the Lord be with you till we
meet again," and we wish that the best fel-
low will win next November. Yours for
honesty and truthfulness.
tribute to our removal sale, for we are
about to enter larger and better quarters
on the opposite side of the street. During
the summer months business was bad, as
every one seemed to hoard their money,
rather than to invest it in things that were
not strictly necessary, but now people with
money all consider the election of a sound
money ticket reasonably sure, and are there-
fore more confident of good times.
We do not think that trade will be at all
fitful before the Presidential election, but
expect a continuance of good business, and
after election we expect to do such a busi-
ness as we have never done before. Our
installment accounts have fallen somewhat,
but not very much more than in the last
two or three years. We do not think that
the present uncertain condition that is com-
plained of so much in the rest of the coun-
try will be at all hurtful to us any longer.
What are the prospects for trade in With best wishes and thanks for various
your line say during the months of Sep- notices.
tember and October?
Do you expect a steady trade, or will The savings banks have interfered with cash
sales.
it be fitful until after the Presidential
election?
H. E. LAKE, Keene, N. H.—I am not ex-
pecting a very large trade until after elec-
After the election what then ?
In your section is there a growing sen- tion, and think it will be better then if Mc-
timent favoring free silver or does the Kinley is elected; but if Bryan should by
gold standard maintain the most adher- any chance succeed, no one knows what
to look for.
ents?
There is but very little free silver senti-
Have there been more delinquents on ment in this section, as most of us are in
piano installment paper during the pres- the habit of paying one hundred cents on a
ent summer than for several years pre- dollar, although it has been rather slow
vious ?
lately. There has been very much more Improved business and hopeful outlook for
Any statements regarding the effect of difficulty in collecting installments this year
fall and winter.
the great political contest upon business than before, and from the fact that so many
CLARK,
WISE & CO., Oakland, Cal.— Our
in your locality will be read with inter- New Hampshire savings banks have had business is better since the first of Septem-
est, and any personal opinions that you an injunction placed upon them, cash sales ber, and we feel hopeful of a fair trade this
may interject will likewise be highly are very much cut down, as a large part of fall and winter. Our collections are no
piano and organ customers usually take the
appreciated.
money from the savings banks to buy with. worse than usual.
In sendin? you this communication it
Probably the most important enquiry is
shall expect an improvement in all kinds
is my aim to gain the opinion of some of I business
about the election agitation—it is boiling.
if
McKinley
is
elected,
as
con-
of the leading dealers in widely separated fidence will be restored.
We are for silver, and while we do not feel
localities regarding trade conditions in
radical enough to warp our judgment there
their respective States-
can be no doubt but that California will go
The situation in Denver, Col.
for Bryan—it is virtually conceded by the
Quite a number of replies have already
W. W. MONTELIUS, President of the Republicans—the whole coast will go for
been printed, the third installment of Montelius Piano Co., Denver, Col.—You silver. All doubt about Oregon and Wash-
which appear herewith. As it is impossible ask us what are the prospects for trade in ington has been removed. Our county
to print the entire symposium in one issue our line during the months of September is the strongest Republican county in the
of THE REVIEW, answers will appear dur- and October. Out here we have two class- State, but at the last county election as well
es of people; one of which are already our as last municipal the Populists were suc-
ing the coming issues until the opinions of customers,
and the other we are trying cessful witJwut fusion. A fusion of Pops
representative dealers in every State and awfully hard to sell instruments to. The and Democrats has been arranged and there
Territory are placed before our readers. •
first class read the Western papers, and of can be but the Bryan solution. Several of
course
see our splendid inducements as ad- our vSan Francisco Republican daily papers
We feel that this means of gaining a
vertised.
The other class read the Eastern were strong for silver prior to the Republi-
knowledge of present trade conditions will
papers, and they are so impressed with the can convention at St. Louis, and now to ad-
be of the utmost value to the trade. The strong, logical arguments of the Eastern vocate gold they find it rather difficult to
writers represent the conditions actually thinkers that they think everything will be uneducate the masses.
existing in the various sections; hence these much cheaper after McKinley is elected, so
contributions will be appreciated and val- they stand us off. Now you can draw your
own conclusions from this as to what our Texas for Bryan by 100,000 majority.
ued because they are authoritative.
Indian summer trade will be.
COLLINS & ARMSTRONG CO., Fort Worth,
You want to know if we have more de- Tex.—Prospects for fall and winter are
Prospects for fall trade have never been better. linquents on our piano installment paper only fair; during September and October a
PHILIP WERLEIN, New Orleans, La.— during the present summer, etc. We em- steady, moderate trade. After the election
With regard to prospects for fall trade, phatically say "yes." All of our customers no change. Crops play the part here and
etc., will . say that our prospects for fall believe that Bryan is going to be elected they are short, and prices are very low for
trade have never been better. Everything and then we will have fifty-three cent dol- farm products. There have been more de-
seems to be going our way. This month lars, so that they are standing us off right linquents during the summer than ever be-
we have been doing a splendid business along, intending to pay their claims for fore in our history of twelve years.
Politics is proving an injury to all busi-
and find that cash, instead of being scarce, about fifty cents on a dollar. This makes
is more plentiful than usual. This we at- our collections very hard. As for ourselves, ness, and ours is no exception to the other
UTHENTIC information regarding
the prospects for fall tiade is being
anxiously sought for by manufacturers with
a view to preparing stock and making other
plans in this connection. It must be con-
ceded that reliable information on this vital
subject can best be furnished by the dealers
of the country, who from their own exper-
ience, and the conditions which surround
them, are enabled to make intelligent fore-
casts as to the coming season.
Recognizing the importance of obtaining
definite information as to the prospects for
fall and winter trade, THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW sent out the following letter to
prominent dealers in all sections of the
United States:
A

Download Page 11: PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.