Music Trade Review

Issue: 1904 Vol. 38 N. 26

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE: MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
43
In tHe World of Music Publishing
TRADE CONDITIONS WITH PUBLISHERS
"You forget. I sing it. All I want is a back-
ground. You can leave the rest to me."
Sales Departments Experiencing Summer Dul-
ness—Conservatism Now Generally Ruling
—Professional End Active, However—A
Publisher's Chats on the Situation.
In the sales department business is spoken
of as exceedingly quiet. Publishers are disin-
clined to indulge in any expense just now that
might liven up trade. June is rather early to
lay down so completely, but with the backward-
ness in general business, and the disinclination
to buy more freely on the part of dealers and
jobbers, publishing houses are justified in pur-
suing a conservative course. An occasional
spurt, in the shape of fair-sized orders, has en-
couraged a few firms to believe the bottom is not
altogether detached; but these are exceptions,
and are traceable to department store activity.
The professional end is the reverse, for June,
July and August are the busiest months. Every
MADAM SCHUMANN HEINK.
publisher is besieged with singers looking for
good things either for immediate use at the re-
Mme. Schumann Heink, the distinguished
sorts or private entertainments, or in prepara-
grand opera soprano, who has probably the larg-
tion for the coming theatrical season. Of this
est and most fashionable clientele of any concert
side of the business a publisher remarked to
singer in America, is to make a direct departure
The Review Monday: "We get quick returns
next season from any of her former work, as she
from our stuff from the professionals. They try
is to appear in a comic opera written especially
out our new things, and we can tell in short
for her by Stanislaus Stange and Julian Ed-
order whether it is worth our while to bring out
wards. This opera is now in work at M. Wit-
a piece 'regular.' You have no conception of the
mark & Sons, and while it abounds in novelties
numbers the singers take out that are never
and popular airs, the composer has been careful
heard of again. It is a capital process for weed-
to write a quantity of elaborate numbers for the
ing out a catalogue. Then, again, a song may
star, which will demonstrate the fact that one
take a long time to develop and become popular.
can be as thoroughly artistic in comic opera as
These are the best kind and the most lasting
in more ambitious work. This opera will prove
sellers. Just now we have a waltz-song, written
a treat to music lovers as well as mere amuse-
five years ago, that is just coming to the front,
ment seekers.
and is selling well. This class of' popular music
makes desirable business, because it is generally
WOODWARD WITH STERN.
above the average on the score of musical merit."
Among publishers of standard music trade is
Matt C. Woodward, who has written a great
quiet, though sales are satisfactory for the deal of available song material, last week signed
season.
with Jos. W. Stern # Co. to write exclusively for
LIKE ROLLING OFF A LOG
The singing comedian discoursed to the Igno-
rant Person in this wise of the comic opera:
"I had an idea that the part was written by the
author and interpreted by the comedian, who in-
jected his own pleasing personality into it," ob-
served the L P.
"Now, don't make me laugh, my boy," rejoined
the professional. "The author doesn't cut any
figure at all. I t is all right to have him drop
in and tell you what the opera is about. Then
he can go home. For all the author has to do
with it you could write my part, as a rule, on
the back of a postage stamp. I originate all the
funny lines and situations."
"I'm getting valuable points every day," said
the Ignorant Person, with surprise.
"The public doesn't know these things."
"Why, of course not. The poor fools always
thought the author did some of the writing."
"Yes, yes; I suppose so; and in a way he does.
I always give him full credit for the scenario."
"How about the composer?"
"He's very useful for the ensembles, but you
get the song hits in Twenty-eighth street or along
Broadway. I'll let you in on a litle inside infor-
mation about these songs. All you have to do is
to step into any one of the song publishing
houses. Tell 'em you'd like a crack-a-jack coon
song. In a jiffy they hand you out, say, 'My
Little Ogdensburg Maid' or something of the sort.
And there you are."
"Well, that seems very simple. Suppose the
song doesn't make a hit?" said the Ignorant
Person.
them for a terms of years.
The firm are enjoying a brisk demand for
Cole & Johnson's latest songs, introduced by
prominent artists in Klaw & Erlanger's Aerial
Gardens. They include "On Lalawana's Shore,"
"Lindy" (from Evolution of Ragtime), "Fish-
ing," "Como le Gusta" (How Do You Like Me),
sung by Miss Fay Templeton; "Don't Wake Him
Up, Let Him Dream," "Spirit of the Banjo" (from
Evolution of Ragtime), sung by Peter F. Dailey;
"Pretty Little Squaw from Utah," sung by Miss
Leila Mclntyre; "There Is Something About You
that I Love, Love, Love," sung by Frank Coombs.
"Fishing," with its pleasing chorus, is referred
to by enthusiasts as the distinct hit of the piece.
POPULAR
UMMER
ONGS. .
ORDER
MUSIC PUBLISHERS' "LIVE WIRES."
Summer songs are certainly having an Inning
this year. Nearly all the front rank publishers
have an offering, and considerable hard work is
being done to keep them alive. A few are selling
well, others are languishing; nevertheless, the
cry is still they come. One of the latest is by
Ren Shields, written for Edna DeWolf Hopper,
and pronounced off-hand by its sponsors a "song
to fade them all!" Fortunately the predictions
of the over-sanguine song writer are not re-
corded, or there would be some embarrassing ex-
planations in order.
Six songs of the ballad style which are now
being heard to the exclusion of more serious
work are: "There's Nothing New to Say," Alfred
G. Robyn's new ballad, which promises to rival
his "Answer"; "Where Thou Art," by Angelo
Mascheroni, composer of "For All Eternity";
"Within Thine Eyes," by Harry Rowe Shelly;
"In Dreamland," by W. T. Francis; "Just You
and I," by Wilton Heriot and Frank E. Tours;
and Caro Roma's "Resignation."
Competent
judges declare it would be difficult to find six
songs of one season which could equal the beauty
and charm of these numbers, and the Witmarks
are to be congratulated.
When a song hit materializes the fortunate
publisher is then assailed with divers claims of
plagiarism, if not downright piracy. Everybody
with a ghost of a show butts in, and the demands
range from a peremptory order to withdraw the
alleged infringement forthwith, or a compromise
on a division of the profits is politely proffered.
The episodes in this connection are not infre-
quently "too funny for anything," as a veteran
publisher phrased it.
"Phantania," a new music comedy by
of "The Runaways" celebrity, may lead to a legal
wrangle between two publishers, both of whom
are reported as having contracts with the com-
poser.
In this strain the press agent: "Now is the
time par excellence for the love ballad to
flourish. There is no use talking, there is some-
thing in the effect of the summer moon which
inclines even the most prosaic of us to senti-
ment. The summer poets seem to get a firmer
grip on the bridle of Pegasus and the musicians
are confessedly inspired by every breeze and
sight and scent of the good old summer time.
The consequence of this is the unusual popu-
larity of the ballad."
When Howley, Dresser
Co. suspended, the
Follow the Crowd on a
By GERARD,
Sunday MORRISON
A ARMSTRONG.
Down on the
^ Go - Round
By HAL KENT A LYN UDALL, Compomorm of
Ono Girl," and "Jumt a* the Sun."
ONCE
"Ju»t
Kate Kearney
By FAY A OLIVER, wrfter* of "Goodnight,
Boloved,
Goodnight."
Wit mark & Sons
NEW YORK
CHICAGO
LONDON
ILLUMINATED TITLE PAGES FREE
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE IN QUANTITIES
Do you Handle " WITMARK" PUBLIC A TIONS 7
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
name of another prominent house was mentioned
in the inner circles as being in financial straits.
In fact, the petitioning creditors' papers in an
involuntary bankruptcy motion had been pre-
pared. Last week a contract to take over the
aforesaid firm's catalogue for a consideration of
$15,000 was drawn up, and only lacked the signa-
tures of the principals. At this point they
managed to "raise the wind" on a mortgage, and
thus their troubles were tided over. While these
proceedings were going on the wise ones ex-
changed views, and they were not at all compli-
mentary.
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Night"; "'The Message of the Violet," from "The
Prince of Pilsen," and selections from their lat-
est musical comedy success, "The Yankee Con-
sul." This collection of up-to-date music was so
much appreciated by the entire party that Con-
terno repeated the programme in its entirety on
the following night by special request.
Mme. Schumann Heink is paying a flying visit
to Europe, in order to be present at the wedding
of her eldest daughter. The prima donna will
stay but a couple of days on the other side and
will then return to New York, where rehearsals
will be commenced for the Stange and Edwards
Shapiro, Remick & Co.'s new store on the opera in which she is to star.
board walk, Atlantic City, N. J., opens to-morrow,
with Homer Howard and Robt. J. Adams in
AN ORDER ASKED TO SELL PROPERTY.
charge. Miss Daniels, who recently resigned
her position as chief of the professional corre-
The further examination of the bankrupts and
spondence bureau to accept the management of
other witnesses in the Howley-Dresser Co. pro-
the firm's department store venture in New Or- ceedings was postponed from Saturday last until
leans, is still in that city closing up the deal. Thursday at 2 p. m. Monday the attorneys for
Ira A. Miller will hereafter occupy that talented the petitioning creditors filed a motion of ad-
lady's desk, and extend the glad hand by mail. judication in the United States District Court,
Their June issues include: "Dis-Pos-Zes Means New York, and Judge Holt will be asked for an
Move," by James B. Brymn; "Just a Little Ever order directing the receiver to sell the property.
Loving Girl," and "Oh, Bliss," by Brymn and
The creditors' committee will not report until
Mullen; "She Doesn't Seem to Care About Me," after the final examinations of the bankrupts,
by Jerome and Schwartz; "Zon, My Congo and which they have been attending.
Queen," by McPherson and Brymn.
It is the unanimous verdict of the audiences
that attend the Aerial Gardens, above the New
Amsterdam Theater, that the show is one of the
best offered on a roof in years; and among the
things musical receiving praise is Heelan &
Helf's interpolation, "A Bit o' Blarney." The
number is a novelty, and at no performance is
Jos. Sparks and his clever chorus allowed to re-
tire permanently until they have repeated this
clever Irish song.
Al Johns, the composer of so many good char-
acteristic numbers, such as "Ethiopa," "Araby,"
"Boardwalk Parade," etc., has recently published,
through M. Witmark & Sons, two new pieces
which will undoubtedly add not a little to his
fame as a writer of essentially popular material.
One of these is an eccentric novelty for the
piano, called "Take a Little Walk with Me." It
makes an ideal two-step. The other new issue
is a story song and refrain called "The Wish-
Bone," the words of which are by Moulton Farn-
ham, the successful lyrist.
J. F. BOWERS IMPROVING.
J. F. Bowers, of Lyon & Healy, who came to
New York last week to attend the annual con-
vention of the Music Publishers' Association of
the United States, of which he is president, but
who, as reported in last week's Review, was
taken ill, undergoing a surgical operation, is still
confined to his apartments in the Hotel Man-
hattan. We are pleased to hear his condition is
improving rapidly, but it will be at least another
week before he will be able to undertake the
journey West, though it is likely he may remain
East at some seaside or mountain resort until
his recovery is complete.
A RECONSTRUCTED 'DIXIE."
Though "Dixie" was written by an Ohio man,
a minstrel, long before the "late unpleasant-
ness," and with no particular motive in view, it
was appropriated by the Southland as a sort of
sectional anthem, and is still so considered in
that part of the country. Elsewhere this old
song has no particular significance beyond its
A jobber asked to name a half-dozen of the bearing o n this sectional sentiment. The lyric
best sellers begged the questions by stating there is absolutely innocuous, but now a movement is
had not been a genuine hit so far this year. Pos- on foot to re-write "cinnamon seeds and sandy
sibly it was a leading inquiry, and having sev- Bottom," so expressive of Southern feeling, what-
eral favorites of his own on which he has ever that may mean. This came to the front last
plunged, deemed discretion the better part of
week, at a meeting of ex-Confederates, when a
valor. The same gentleman closed a deal Tues-
motion was made to the above effect, but it was
day for what he picked as two winners for fall
tabled, and there it will doubtless remain.
trade, and coming from the prolific and melli-
Why the change is sought at this late day,
fluous pen of Harry von Tilzer.
even by any unreconstructed person—should
C. L. Partee Music Co., New York, have re- such exist—of the "lost cause," is one of those
cently issued "Welcome," march, by D. Acker; things which probably no fellow can correctly
"Necromancer," overture, by Richard Carpenter, fathom. At any rate, there are enough present-
for mandolin, guitar and banjo orchestra; also day "Dixie" songs and productions, with many
"The Maestro," march by Rollin W. Bond; and others en route, depicting the always alluring
"The Rag-Time Craze," march-two-step, by Ralph side of Southern life, now in the catalogues of
Grossman. Geo. B. Jennings Co., Cincinnati— every publisher of standing, to satisfy and pos-
"Fruhlingslied" (spring song) and "Abendroth" sibly soothe the most rabid admirer or inhabi-
(afterglow), by Theodore Spinagel; "Our Flag," tant of the country below Mason & Dixon's line.
by Nina Picton Mercereau; "Little Cat," by It is a fad with the song writers, and some really
Frank L. Bristow. Jos. M. Plant—"You're It," charming ballads have been the result.
"Dame of the Hoo-hoo," by L. W. Lewis. M.
REVOLUTIONIZING VAUDEVILLE.
Doyle Marks, Elmira, N. Y.—"The Elmira Girl,"
march two-step, by J. A. Wallerstedt. K. B.
"Is modern vaudeville becoming revolution-
Pierce Music House—"Had I Known Her Love
ized?" is a recent question arising from the nu-
Was Loyal," by L. D. Richards.
merous brilliant engagements tTiat are being con-
O. C. Conterno, chief musician of the Eighth stantly made by that daring manager, F. F. Proc-
Regiment Infantry Band at Governor's Island, tor. His big coup with Mr. Hawtrey and Miss
New York, had the band render an exclusive Millward had hardly ceased to cause wonder-
Witmark programme last Tuesday evening upon ment, when lo! he announces that two more of
the arrival of General Corbin and party from the big theatrical stars have succumbed, to his
the St. Louis Exposition. This programme in- blandishments, and will at once go over the Proc-
cluded "My Alamo Love," from "The Tender- tor circuit. One of the latest recruits is Wm. H.
foot"; selections from "The Babes in Toyland"; Thompson, who recently appeared with such
success in "The Secret of Polichinelle." A num-
two well-known songs, "You're the Flower of
My Heart, Sweet Adeline," and "Just for To- ber of other notabilities are now appearing at
the Proctor houses, and there has been a re-
markable succession of brilliant programmes of
late at the Proctor houses. Through the influ-
ence of Mr. Proctor vaudeville has assumed a
new aspect. To many this is a healthy sign.
'THE FORBIDDEN LAND.'
Rehearsals are now in progress for Steely and
Chapin's new opera, "The Forbidden Land," the
scene of which is laid in Tibet. It will be pro-
duced shortly in Chicago, at the Illinois Theatre.
Chicago, by the way, has certainly recovered
marvelously from its midwinter depression oc-
casioned by the terrible disaster. The musical
comedies now playing there are doing a splen-
did business and a large majority of the theatres
will remain open all summer. "The Tenderfoot"
is rattling on its merry way to full houses
nightly, and "The Maid and the Mummy," by
Richard Carle and Robert Hood Bowers, con-
tinues to do good business even while it is in
process of reconstruction from three acts to
two. It is being recast, too, to quite a large ex-
tent, and when worked over will be bigger and
brighter and more tuneful than ever. In the
staging of this piece, Ad Newburger has ex-
celed even his usual good work.
SONGS OF THE FLAG AND NATION.
"Songs of the Flag and Nation," the new col-
lection of the best patriotic and national airs
forthcoming from the press of Hinds, Noble &
Eldridge, has been delayed far beyond the calcu-
lations of the publishers. I t will be ready for
the trade next week, however.
Prof. Walter Howe Jones, the editor of the
work, whose health has been far from robust, is
now attending to his business duties regularly,
and is feeling better and stronger than for some
time past. He is engaged on a number of new
compositions of a high order, which will doubt-
less be shaped up and printed late in the sum-
mer, but in time for the fall buying.
For the past week or so G. Clifford Noble,
of the firm, and who gives his special attention
to their rapidly expanding music department,
has been making a tour of the Massachusetts
colleges, seminaries and "prep" schools, with an
eye to business, as he enlarges upon the variety,
extent and musical beauties of his college song
series, on which the firm are headquarters. Their
energy and enterprise in this particular field of
publishing is highly commended by those most
directly concerned.
ONE SECRET OF AMERICAN SUCCESS.
Power and Transmission says the secret of
the cheapest of American manufacturers is
claimed to be, partially at least, in the inter-
changeability of parts of every mechanism, in
the standardizing of constructions. A mechani-
cal invention in this age is not complete till the
tools to make it in interchangeable parts have
been invented.
Johann Schmid, the well-known Philadelphia
composer, has just written and is about to pub-
lish a new ballad entitled "Daisies," for which
Richard C. Dillmore is the author of the words.
W. S. Stratton, who some time ago met with
financial differences, has decided to again re-
enter the retail field and has opened up at 410
Douglass street, Sioux City, la.
Separate Numbers and Scores
of the following
Comic Opera and Musical
: : Comedy Successes : :
"RED FEATHER"—By Chas. Bmenon Cook, Chas. Klein
and Reginald De Koven.
NANCY BROWN"—By Frederic Raaken and Henry K.
Hadley.
"THE MOCKINO BIRD"—By Sidney Roienfeld and A.
Baldwin Sloane.
"THE OPFICE BOY"—By Harry B. Smith and Ludwig
Englander.
"A OIRL FROM DIXIB"-By Harry B. Smith.
"THE ISLE OF SPICE"—By Allen Lowe & Paul Schindle
r«hibh.«i,r JOS. W . STERN & CO.
84 East 21st Street
NEW YORK
CHICAGO
Loraoi
t i n nuHOtaoo

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