Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1901 Vol. 32 N. 12

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Artist and Instrument Praised.
The Melville Clark Piano.
Wareroom Notes.
Since the remodelling of the Everett ware-
rooms, the interior has undergone a marvel-
lous change. The grands and uprights have
been re-grouped and supplemented by numer-
ous examples of every leading style. There
is now on exhibition a splendid array of con-
cert and parlor Everett grands.
*
*
*
*
The iEolian warerooms are constantly re-
ceiving new artistic touches. Among the lat-
est additions are desks of uniform size and
color for members of the staff, arranged along
the western side at the northern end of the
main floor. The general grouping of fur-
niture and pictures, and the blending of col-
ors throughout, combine to make these ware-
rooms at once elegant and attractive.
*
*
*
*
Hardman, Peck & Co. were exceptionally
fortunate in securing the whole first floor of
the new building at the corner of Nineteenth
street and Fifth avenue. In the matter of
area, light, ventilation and general fitness
for the purpose of exhibiting grand pianos,
the new quarters are probably the finest in
the United States. In fact, it is a question
if they are not the finest in the world.
*
*
*
*
Kranich & Bach do a large retail business
in this city at the headquarters on Twenty-
third street, many of the purchasers being
callers who have been recommended by their
friends. The retail stock on exhibition is
The Lesson it Teaches.
usually large and always choice. As The
The auction room is an excellent place to Review has had occasion to remark before,
glean an idea of the value of advertising. it is invariably well kept and methodically
For instance, last Tuesday night, Benjamin arranged, so that visitors may readily see the
S. Wise sold fifty pianos by auction at his various designs and woods. All of these
warerooms in West 125th street. The prices points tell in trying to make a sale.
realized for the different instruments seem to
Kranich & Bach.
*
*
*
*
have been proportionate to the value given
Shortly
after
the
Needham
Piano
& Organ
The business report of Kranich & Bach for the name stencilled thereon by advertising
Co.
moved
into
their
present
quarters
at the
the week shows healthy activity at the fac- on the part of the manufacturer.
southwest
corner
of
Fifteenth
street
and
Fifth
tory, and a good demand among the agencies
For instance, a Steinway upright that had avenue, the excellence of their window dis-
in all sections. Victor W. O'Brien, traveler seen service for a quarter of a century
for the firm, starts at an early date on a brought $305, and a Chickering practically as play was noted in The Review. This spe-
lengthy tour covering, along with other ter- old brought $290. A little later a piano of cial feature has been consistently maintained
ever since. The JSTeedham windows are to-
ritory, the Southern and the Pacific Coast.
an old-time maker, still in the trade, but who day among the most attractive on Fifth ave-
Among recent callers at the wareroomswas believes that advertising is a waste of money,
W. H. Keller, Kranich & Bach representative was put up. It was not in use for a year and nue. Every advantage is taken of the excel-
at Easton, Pa. Mr. Keller selected stock for should on the basis of actual merit have real- lent location to display tastefully and im-
early shipment. He is a firm believer in the ized almost as much as the old Steinway and pressively, the latest of the Needham prod-
Kranich & Bach products and has made an Chickering sold previously, yet the amount ucts.
*
*
*
*
excellent record in his territory.
realized was only $120.
At the Mathushek warerooms the exhibit
44
A cheap piano, made by a Harlem maker is large and very choice, in addition to being
Crown" Publicity.
who
stencils, yet believes in advertising, was artistically arranged and well kept. The
In the Chicago Tribune of Sunday last
put
up
after this instrument. It had been in Broadway warerooms are now much resorted
there was a very attractive full-page adver-
use
a
couple
of years, nevertheless it realized to by intending piano purchasers, many of
tisement devoted to Crown pianos. A num-
$145-
whom leave orders.
ber of the latest designs—extremely hand-
May Be Commissioner.
The deduction from these facts is self-evi-
some instruments, by the way—were shown,
dent.
The
buying
public
instinctively
value
It seems likely that Frederick J. Allen, of
accompanied by well-written and pertinent
reading matter. The following sample will pianos, nowadays, whether new or old, ac- Auburn, N. Y., will succeed Chas. H. Duell,
cording to the value created for them in the whose resignation as Commissioner of Pat-
give an idea of the general tenor:
ents is referred to elsewhere in The Review.
"From the Clavichord and Harpsichord to public mind through advertising.
Notwithstanding the best efforts of the The latter will not leave office until April 30.
the Crown piano is a long step, embracing
years of continuous effort, which slowly but auctioneer, every instrument sold Tuesday
Thomas Nelson, secretary of the National
surely wrought out the development of the night maintained a price—not the estimate Musical String Co., is about to erect a hand-
piano. Each step retained the best of the placed upon it by the auctioneer—but the some residence at the corner of College ave-
achievements preceding it, combining them value which the name possesses in the pub- nue and Bishop Place, New Brunswick, JST.
with the highest attainments of the present. lic mind.
J. The house, in its style of architecture
Isn't there a moral in this ?
The Crown piano is the natural and logical
and general attractiveness, will surpass any-
result of the irresistible march of progress
Chas. H. Steinway will leave on the thing in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson will
in the development of the piano."
'Deutschland" early in May for Europe.
occupy their new home next fall.
Ossip Gabrilowitsch, who visited Hartford,
Conn., last week, won a success unparalleled
in that musical center. "Not since Paderew-
ski's visit here," says the Post, "have we
heard a pianist with such a mastery of so
many varying styles. Technically, he has all
the transcendent skill, strength, accuracy and
variety of resource to be found in every great
pianist, and besides he has plenty of tempera-
ment and individuality which are of uncom-
mon beauty and attractiveness. He main-
tains a remarkable repose and assurance in
the face of besetting difficulties, and renders
with an adorning radiance the most compli-
. cated textures, never forgetting the necessity
of technical perfection. Free from all man-
nerisms, he is conscientious in his work and
is devotion itself to whatever be his undertak-
ing. He has an uncommon polish and finish
of style, with a keen feeling of rhythm and
a sensitiveness to all that is beautiful. His
faculty for inspiring his hearers with his
own temperament is the same as that of Pad-
erewski."
This paper then proceeds to give a lengthy,
well-written and critical analysis of the pro-
gram in which Gabrilowitsch's work com-
mands the highest possible praise. It is re-
lated that the concert closed with an exhibi-
tion of enthusiasm that "threw in the shade"
the reception accorded any artist who has
visited Hartford in years.
The following sentence in reference to the
superb Everett concert grand which he
played is a compliment well deserved: "His
instrument last evening was a songster of
almost human possibilities in such hands as
his."
The following letter, received by the Mel-
ville Clark Piano Co., Chicago, from Joseph
Bohmann, the world-renowned manufacturer
of stringed instruments, of that city, is an
eloquent and forceful tribute to the pianos
made by Melville Clark:
Dear Sirs:—Please find enclosed check
for balance due on piano I bought of you
December 24th.
I want to say to Mr. Melville Clark that
since I was nine years old I have studied mu-
sic and musical instruments for tone. It
took me forty-three years till I concluded I
would have a piano around me in my home,
because wherever I went to hear those artists
I never could be satisfied when the general
public was satisfied. The artist's expression
and technique was great, but that musical,
noisy, whiney, steel tone was always with it.
The tone of your piano is entirely differ-
ent from any piano I ever heard played be-
fore. When I have listened to pianos in the
past, and had the privilege, I always closed
them to deaden that twangy, rattling tone of
the strings—where most of the people think
that the noisier the instrument is the better.
The musical,- voice-like tone must first be
learned. Your piano has that round, big,
full singing tone quality which I have been
for so long a time looking for—where the
vibration of the body of the piano brings out
that tone—the same as a good violin, the tone
must come from the body and not from
the strings. The action of your piano in
combination with its light touch, is wonder-
ful.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
English letters," and the size, which must be
Introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate—Most "not less than one-half inch in length."
It will be noted further that the Senator
Harmful to the Interests of the Piano and
Organ Lease Business—Should be Killed. provides that any person defacing or remov-
New York is not the only state where leg- ing the sign shall be guilty of misdemeanor
islators try to outdo each other in conceiving and sentenced to a fine of $500 or imprison-
needless and ridiculous "laws." In last ment for a year.
Why the purchasers of pianos and organs
week's Review we published a synopsis of a
should
be made the victims of such legisla-
bill introduced in the State Senate of Penn-
tion
is
a
puzzle. Why hang a sign on rented
sylvania by Senator Snyder, of Chester,
pianos,
and
not on furniture, and the hun-
which, if it should become a law and en-
dred
and
one
other things purchased on the
forced, would practically ruin the piano and
installment
plan?
organ lease business of that state. As a sam-
It is bills of this kind that have made the
ple of the inane in law-making this bill,
which we quote herewith in full, is entitled assemblies and senates of many of our states
so ridiculous—mere conveniences for would-
to first prize:
be somebodies to air their opinions by intro-
AN ACT
Requiring lessors and vendors claiming property ducing measures that are absolutely unnec-
and ownership in pianos, melodeons and organs by essary, if not harmful, to the citizens in their
them leased or sold upon the installment plan to
give notice of their claims by painting, stamping respective states.
or engraving in a conspicuous place upon the front
We would urge the dealers of Pennsylva-
of every such piano, melodeon or organ the name
of the lessor or vendor preceded by the words nia and the local association in Philadelphia
" property of and owned by," and fixing a penalty
for failure or neglect to give such notice and pre- to take vigorous action so as to kill the bill
scribing a punishment for fraudulently or mali- introduced by Senator Snyder as such a use-
ciously defacing or removing such notice.
Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and less and objectionable law would entail a dis-
House of Representatives of the Commonwealth tinct injury on the piano and organ business
of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it
is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, of that state.
Another Ridiculous Bill.
That in every case where a piano, melodeon or
organ is hereafter leased or sold upon the install-
ment plan or under any contract or agreement that
the property and ownership therein shall remain
in the lessor or vendor and not vest immediately
in the lessee or vendee it shall be the duty of such
sessor or vendor before parting with the posses-
tion of such piano, melodeon or organ to give no-
lice of his or their claim of property and owner-
ship therein by painting, stamping or engrav-
ing in a conspicuous place upon the front of
every such piano, melodeon or organ in plain
English letters of not less than one-half inch in
length the name of such lessor or vendor preceded
by the words "property of and owned by," and in
every case where a lessor or vendor fails or neg-
lects to give the notice herein specified and re-
quired such lessor or vendor shall forfeit the right
to recover possession of such piano, melodeon or
organ or the value thereof from any other person
who for a valuable consideration may have here-
after either directly or indirectly obtained posses-
sion ©f such piano, melodeon or organ from the
lessee or vendee.
Provided, however, That nothing herein con-
tained shall prohibit or prevent any such lessor or
vendor from taking or recovering possession of any
piano, melodeon or organ feloniously stolen from
such lessor or vendor or lessee or vendee.
Section 2. Any person who shall fraudulently
or maliciously erase, deface or remove the notice of
property and ownership painted, stamped or en-
graved upon any piano, melodeon or organ by the
lessor or vendor thereof shall be guilty of a misde-
meanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced to
pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or
to undergo an imprisonment of not more than one
year or either or both in the discretion of the court.
Another Stolen Piano Found.
[Special to The Review.]
Washington, D. C, March 18, 1901.
The detectives have recovered another pia-
no alleged to have been stolen as a result of
the operations of William Grey and Howard
Creighton. Grey is now in jail awaiting
trial on the charge of the larceny of a piano
from William Knabe & Co., 1209 Penn-
sylvania avenue, and Creighton, who was
arrested here by Detectives Brown and Lacy,
has but recently been sentenced to two years
in the penitentiary for a similar offence in
Baltimore. The instrument recovered yes-
terday was rented from H. R. Eisenbrandt,
of 528 South Baltimore street, Baltimore, on
Jan. 28, and was valued at $250. Creighton
said to have rented it and shipped it to Grey,
who was then going under the name of J. P.
Carroll, at 813 Sixth street, northwest. Grey
sold it to Mrs. Alice Tracey, of 406 New Jer-
sey avenue, northwest, for $125 cash. The
instrument was taken from the premises of
Mrs. Tracey.
Immediately after this bill was introduced
Corporation Bills Passed.
the Weaver Organ & Piano Co., of York,
[Special to The Review.]
Pa., with their usual enterprise, communi-
Albany, N. Y., March 20, 1901.
cated with the Senators of their district, as
Bills amending the stock and general cor-
well as with a number of prominent dealers poration laws with a view of liberalizing
throughout the state, requesting them not their provisions in accordance with Gov.
only to write the Senator of their district, Odell's recommendations in his annual mes-
but also to confer with the other dealers in sage, have been passed by the Senate.
their locality and take such further action
The Assembly to-day passed Mr. Fishe's
as would defeat the passage of this bill.
bill liberalizing the stock corporation laws
A perusal of the act as introduced would of the State. This bill is similar to the Brack-
suggest at first thought that Senator Snyder ett bill in the Senate and was suggested by
was engaged in perpetrating a joke or "jolly" Gov. Odell. The provisions of this bill, it is
on the members of the music trade of Penn- expected, will prove attractive to large cor-
porations that now go to New Jersey and
sylvania.
other States where the corporation laws are
The fact is, however, he is deadly in earn- not so stringent as in this State, and the rev-
est, so much so that he not only wants a label enues will be materially increased.
or sign of some kind conspicuously placed
In Bankruptcy.
on the front of every instrument used in a
private house, to show that the instrument
A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by
has not been paid for, but he actually defines John F. Luscomb, of Boston, musical instru-
the style of type, which must be "in plain ment maker. Liabilities, $2,060; assets none.
A Literary Theft.
Creates a Peculiar Condition—That "Blrkel
Brochure."
The subjoined appeared in the last vaude-
ville edition of the Musical Courier:
STEINWAY RECOGNITION.
A CLEVER PAMPHLET ISSUED BY GEORGE J.
BIRKEL OF LOS ANGELES, CAL., WHICH
IS WORTH THE READING.
George J. Birkel, of Los Angeles, Cal., is
a clever advertiser. Several of his news-
paper advertisements have been reproduced
from time to time in this paper, and they
have attracted much attention from the stu-
dent of publicity, not only on account of the
clever wording of the advertisements, but of
the artistic typography.
There has just come into this office from
Mr. Birkel a beautiful pamphlet, entitled
"Recognition Steinway Has Won." This is
printed upon heavy brown paper, in a brown
ink, and is unusually artistic in its typo-
graphical appearance. The story told of the
"Steinway recognition" is far above the aver-
age piano literature of the day, and displays
so much thought and care in its construction
that it is reproduced herewith in its entirety.
It will pay every Steinway representative
throughout this country to read this through
carefully, and we are sure that Mr. Birkel
will have no objection to any Steinway agent
reproducing this if it is so desired. It is sel-
dom that literature of this character is evol-
ved from the brain of the piano dealer, and
it is well worth the reading by all piano men.
The text of this pamphlet is as follows:
Here follows the lengthy article later re-
ferred to.
It will startle our vaudeville contemporary
to learn that in reality it was not praising
the literary powers of Birkel, but the work
of The Review, that, too, with a gushing
loquaciousness that positively embarrasses
us.
The article which was reproduced was
written and arranged in The Review offices
and was published in The Review of July
14th, 1900. In appropriating the product of
this establishment, Mr. Birkel included the
original illustrations and even preserved the
caption, nor did he change a single line, but
in some mysterious way, best known to him-
self, he omitted to credit to The Review that
which must have impressed him as being
worthy of reproducing in an expensive form.
He will probably experience that strange
buzzing sensation when he reads of the warm
praise being bestowed upon his literary ef-
forts. In this connection, we may state that
we do not question the sincerity of the crit-
icism—without price—of the Courier in
praising the "Birkel Brochure," but, ye gods,
praising The Review is almost as startling
as lauding association work.
Creditor's Petition Filed.
[Special to The Review.]
Providence, R. I., March 18, 1901.
In the United States District Court here
a creditor's petition in bankruptcy has been
filed by Frederick Radle and Hattie Bau-
meister, of New York, and the Schomacker
Piano Co., of Philadelphia, against Sutcliffe
N. Widdup, a piano dealer of this city.
S. W. Raudenbush & Co., St. Paul, Minn.,
have taken the Mason & Hamlin agency.
During E. P. Mason's recent trip he secured
a large order from them.

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