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V O L . XXIX. No. 14. Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 3 East Fourteenth Street. New York, September 30,1899.
Musical Pitch in England.
AN INTERESTING PUBLICATION BEARING ON
THIS SUBJECT THE LOW PITCH TO BE
USED HENCEFORTH BY THE MA-
JORITY OF MANUFACTURERS.
The different letters, articles and com-
ments of the press which have appeared
during the agitation for the past few-
months for the adoption of a uniform pitch
in the piano trade of Great Britain have
been compiled into a veritable Blue Book
on "Musical Pitch" which has recently-
been issued by Messrs. Waterlow & Sons
of London.
In the preface the early history of this
question is treated showing the various
discussions which have come up from time
to time. "It seems strange," they con-
tinue, "that Great Britain, although pro-
gressive in other matters, should be the
last to recognize the importance of inter-
national uniformity in musical pitch. It
is abundantly proved in the following that
the step taken in 1895 by the London Phil-
harmonic Society—in order to conform
with the rest of the musical world in re-
gard to pitch—was a wise one. Neverthe-
less, English pianoforte makers have hith-
erto preferred the old Philharmonic, or
various medium pitches, unless their cus-
tomers have expressed a decided wish for
the fashionable Continental standard. Any
decided change, no matter how desirable,
is sure to raise opposition from those un-
prepared for it. It was, therefore, a fore-
gone conclusion that whoever initiated the
present reform amongst pianoforte makers
in this country might expect to be attacked
from certain quarters. The immediate re-
sult of the action of the Philharmonic So-
ciety in 1895 created much confusion in
England in regard to the tuning of pianos.
From that date pianoforte purchasers,
however, have increasingly desired that
their instruments shall accord with the
' new ' standard. Thus the term ' concert'
pitch, applied to pianos prior to 1896, has
become ambiguous, and almost meaning-
less. Three years having passed since the
alteration of English ' Philharmonic,' the
time seemed ripe for united action on the
part of the pianoforte trade, especially as
British organ builders had nearly all con-
formed to the new standard. Preliminary
inquiries meeting with a general welcome,
the letter above was communicated to the
press, who, perceiving the importance of
the reform, gave it wide publicity. An
interesting and remarkable discussion has
resulted—interesting because of the valu-
able opinions it has elicited from some of
the greatest living musicians, and remark-
able because of the regrettable opposition,
it has called forth from certain makers dis-
inclined to move with the times."
The last, and one of the most important,
of the articles reprinted is from the pen of
Mr. A. J. Hipkins, which appeared in
"Nature" on August 31st. This experi-
enced acoustician ably argues the case for
A=439 a t a temperature of 68 deg. Fahr.,
as against the French A=43 5 at 59 deg.
Fahr. The latter temperature is too low
for an average concert-room standard, and,
as various instruments alter differently as
the temperature rises {e. g., a pianoforte
flattens, while a pipe organ sharpens), it is
desirable to adopt the higher temperature
in fixing the standard of vibrations.
This useful book concludes with the text
of the agreement which has been signed by
the leading members of the pianoforte trade,
agreeing to adopt the Paris Diapason Nor-
mal, but with the allowance for a high-
er temperature in orchestral performance,
accepted since 1896 by the Philharmonic
Society—namely, A 439 (C 522) at 68 de-
grees Fahr. This pitch is to be adopted
after this month as a standard for pianos,
both for retail and wholesale purposes.
The late Philharmonic pitch A 451 (C 540)
when required will be regarded as an ex-
ception, and not, as has been for many
years in Great Britain, the rule.
A Rather Novel Suit.
[Special to The Review].
Montreal, Can., Sept. 25, 1899.
Foisy Freres, a prominent piano house
of this city, are suing the Dominion Piano
and Organ Co., of Bowmanville, Ont., for
$5,000 which they claim for damages.
They allege that they were first appointed
exclusive agents here and then replaced by
another firm.
Enroll Immediately.
Scan page 17 and see if you do not desire
to have your name immediately enrolled
among the elect. Don't delay, for delays
are dangerous. In other words, the offer
is not open for all time.
Represents Chicago.
J. P. Byrne, of Lyon & Healy's, has
been selected as a member of the com-
mittee to represent Chicago at the Dewey
celebration in this city.
$2.01 PER YEAR.
SiNGLECOPIES mCKX'lF.
Suit Over Piano S:ale.
MR.
STANLEY MAKES A GOOD POINT
ALLOWS THE DISMISSAL OF
THE SUIT.
AND
[Special to The Review.]
Toronto, Can., Sept. 25, 1899.
A piano scale figured in the non-jury
sittings before Chief Justice Armour at
Osgoode Hall on Friday.
The Stanley Piano Co. of Niagara street
asked for an injunction to restrain George
P. Thomson and A. Marcy, another firm,
from continuing to manufacture and sell
what the Stanley people claimed were in-
struments made after their scale and pat-
tern. Thompson was formerly an em-
ployee of the Stanley Co.
The case came to a sudden conclusion
during the evidence of the only witness
called, Mr. Charles Stanley, who said there
was no objection to anybody copying his
piano, going on to say that it would be
impossible to duplicate it without the
scale. This could not be copied success-
fully, and the history of the craft proved
the truth of this assertion. On this state-
ment the action was dismissed.
Incorporates Shearer Co.
[Special to The Review.]
Albany, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1899.
A certificate of incorporation was issued
to-day by the Secretary of State to the G.
B. Shearer Co. of Oneonta, for the purpose
of manufacturing musical instruments.
The incorporators are Geo. B. Shearer,
Flora A. Shearer and Mina Shearer, all of
Oneonta, N. Y.
Title Transferred.
Papers have been recorded in the Suf-
folk Registry transferring the title to the
real estate of the Hallet & Davis Piano
Manufacturing Company to the Hallet &
Davis Company. The property comprises
the large factory building and 40,000 square
feet of land, fronting on Harrison avenue,
East Brookline and East Canton streets,
South End, Boston, Mass.
Death of fir. H. Heyer.
The death is announced of H. Meyer, of
the firm of H. Meyer & Sons, music deal-
ers, Holland, Mich., at the age of seventy-
three years. A son and daughter survive
him. Mr. Meyer was one of Holland's
most prominent and respected business
men and his death is deeply regretted.