Music Trade Review

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TH
MUSIC
TRADE! REIVIEIW
THE ADVAN
AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN IDEAS OF PIANO TONE
Contrasted by Hugo Sohmer in the Course of an Interesting Chat with The Review—The Evolution
of the Baby Grand—Quality Now Being Added to the Volume Which Has Been Characteristic of
the American Piano—Europeans Not Up-to-date in Artistic Cases—Increasing Appreciation for
Art in Piano Form in the United States—Sohmer Art Pianos in Demand—The Small Grand an
Especial Favorite—Business Conditions Excellent.
Hugo Sohmer, head of the firm of Sohmer
& Co., is an ardent believer in the future of
the art piano as distinct from even the most
elaborately carved of regular catalogued
styles. He is also enthusiastic regarding the
future of the small or "Baby" grand.
During an interesting chat with The Re-
view on Tuesday, Mr. Sohmer, responding to
several questions as to the Baby grand and
special art creations, referred to some differ-
ences between the European and American
piano. "The small grand, ' said he, "is known
in Europe and was in use long before the
small grand movement began in the United
States. Not dissimilar in shape from ours
and embracing many admirable features, it
lacks a number of what we deem essentials.
For example, the American idea of tone in a
grand piano, whether small or large, is 'vol-
ume.'
The European idea ot periect tone is
delicacy of expression. Noise, mere noise,
to them is vulgar, obtrusive, unnecessary.
And from the purely theoretical view of har-
mony, i agree with them.
"But we are so tond of putting energy and
'vim' into everything we do and expecting to
hear some results in the shape of 'noise' to
encourage us, that a delicate tone of the char-
acter so highly appreciated in England and on
the European continent seems to the average
American piano purchaser or player as too
disappointing, too much lacking in substance.
Of course, this yearning after 'volume' must
be satisfied, witli the result that the aim of the
American n anufr.cturer in the production of
a perfect Baby grand is to make it in 'vol-
ume,' as well as tone quality, as impressive
as the concert grand. The effect produced,
when this ideal is attained, is of a musical in-
strument of great power and force, and the
greater the power the greater the force pro-
duced, and the greater the victory for the
makers."
"How do the latest art creations of Europe
compare with those of the United States, Mr.
Sohmer?" asked The Review.
"There is really no comparison," was the
reply. "During my recent trip to Europe,
and on previous occasions, 1 saw some of the
most hideous conceptions of artistic cases that
it is possible to imagine. There is a decided
leaning there toward the 'Rococo' and a re-
luctance to break away from designs of that
character."
"Is the present tendency in the United
States toward really artistic designs in pianos
likely, in your opinion, to develop more and
more?" was asked.
"Yes; it will increase, as general and tech-
nical art increases, also as wealth increases,
for wealthy people are called upon to make
more display than their less fortunate neigh-
bors ; and, for appearance sake, if for no other
reason, they must yield to expert advice as
to the most artistic effects in furniture and
all other household accessories. But it is
certainly a most gratifying fact that in all
classes of every American community there
is shown a steady advance in mental culture
as expressed in music and other of the fine
arts, particularly those of a decorative char-
acter."
"Referring for a moment to the recently
issued work entitled 'Sohmer Art,' " inquired
The Review, "has an encouraging response
been received from your agents and others
who are interested?"
"Very," was Mr. Sohmer's response.
"And," he continued, "as one result we now
have in course of construction at the factory
quite a number of instruments, the designs
for which correspond or are in accordance
with the examples shown in 'Sohmer Art.'
Our agents are much in favor of development
along this line. They find, among their weal-
thy patrons, a general wish for something un-
usual and striking in effect.
"Our latest small grand, which is one of
our art creations, is frequently called for in
cases of special design. Keeping in mind the
strong desire for volume, we have aimed to
combine all of the other Sohmer qualities of
tone with this one, and judging from results
have entirely succeeded."
Mr. Sohmer, in speaking of business condi-
tions, reported great activity at the Sohmer
HUGO SOHMER.
factory, a healthy demand at the Sohmer
warerooms and most encouraging reports and
orders from the Sohmer agents. The firm's
well-known policy of aggressive work
through legitimate and well-tried channels
will be vigorously carried on, all who are in-
terested in Sohmer progress working hand
in hand toward a greater, more pronounced
success than ever before.
EQUIPPED WITH STEINWAY PIANOS.
The new liners Korea and Siberia, which
have been built for the Pacific Mail Steam-
ship Co. plying between San Francisco, Hon-
olulu, Yokohama and Hongkong, have just
been equipped with Steinway pianos, the sale
being made by Sherman, Clay & Co.
Speaking of this concern brings to mind
that their piano trade continues phenom-
enally active. They recently supplied a
number of hostelries with instruments, for
instance an Emerson for the new El Mon-
terey Hotel, an Emerson for the Princeton
Hotel, a Starr baby grand for the Hotel Cecil
and an Estey Puritan design for the new
summer hotel at Willitts, Mendocino county,
Cal.
11
<* OF THE SOUTH.
Philip Werlein Reports Great Prosperity in New
Orleans and the South—Crops and Financial
Conditions Were Never Better—New Orleans
Ranks Second as Shipping Port.
Philip Werlein, the well known piano
merchant of New Orleans, is an enthusiast
upon all matters relating to the "Crescent
City." When he was comfortably settled in
an easy chair in The Review offices last week
he remarked:
"Business with us is superb, and New Or-
leans is growing at a very rapid rate. We
don't expect to annex New York within the
next few years, but we can't tell what the
future holds for us. As an export city New
Orleans now stands second to New York,
having eclipsed all the others.
"The remarkable growth of New Orleans
as an export port is revealed in the statistics
for the fiscal year ending June 30 has
naturally caused the Crescent City to aspire
to greater prestige. There is now a move-
ment on foot to establish a market at New
Orleans, such a market as gives to Chicago
a prominence in the grain trade.
"A Security Company is now putting up
a half million dollar building.
"The banking system of New Orleans,
too, has greatly advanced. I am connected
with two or three important financial insti-
tutions and was acting president of a bank
during the absence of our president, and am
in a position to know.
"The wonderful development of railroad
companies in the Mississippi valley and in
Southern towns, too, assist New Orleans in
her aspirations, and as has been clearly
pointed out she has a powerful natural ally
in the Mississippi River, which is an auto-
matic regulator of railway charges, giving
to New Orleans the benefit of continual
traffic at low rates. Yes, we have a great
town, and the piano business is good."
"How about your dollar a week system,
Mr. Werlein," asked The Review.
"Why you know other dealers have sold
pianos for four dollars and four dollars and
fifty cents a month, and they criticise me for
offering pianos for a dollar a week. Now I
get the dollar each week, and I don't think
they always get the four dollars at the end
of the month.
"My business for the first half of the year
ran a trifle under $200,000. Of course you
know I cover a good territory and handle a
number of leading makes. I have pushed the
Mathushek piano strong in our locality,
where it now has a splendid reputation.
Young Mr. Parmelee, the head of the con-
cern, is a mighty fine fellow. He is a clean
cut gentleman and he will be heard from in
this industry."
The Bell Organ & Piano Co. have been
experiencing quite some trouble with labor
at their factory at Guelph, Ont. Last week
the factory was closed on this account.
BEHR BROS, ft CO.
PIANOS,
29th Street and 11th Ave., NEW YORK.
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.