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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
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In tKe World of Music Publishing
A pessimistic critic remarks: "Comic opera has
deteriorated into a contrast of blondes and brun-
Trade Uneven but Satisfactory—All Are Work-
ettes, into inane smiles, stately posing and sin-
ing Hard for Success—-Credits Are Being
uous dancing; into the simple worship of pretty
Carefully Watched—What a Leading Pub-
The next production said to be slated for the faces and trim figures."
lisher Says.
La Salle Theatre, Chicago, is a new musical com-
The demand for songs that are of true merit,
With the publishers business is of the kind edy by Jos. E. Howard, author of "Good-Bye, My
that is quite satisfactory to some and to others Lady Love," entitled "His Highness the Bey," catchiness and originality was never greater than
is comparatively slow. To be sure this is to be which will be published by Chas. K. Harris. It at the present time, for with the opening of the
season of 1904-1905 the profession, both in vaude-
taken in a comparative sense, for no high records will go on in about a fortnight.
ville and the musical combination shows, find
are being scored. Generally speaking, trade is
M. Witmark & Sons are to publish the music that their managers demand a higher grade
not up to calculations, and, of course, the polit-
ical disturbance is credited with the upsetting of of the production of the new Lew Fields Theatre, of melody and song. The rough and shout-
plans, which were laid with this consideration and considering the eminence of the composers ing coon song with its coarse question-
discounted in a measure. There is no mistaking engaged to write for this house, as well as the able "lyrics" (if such they may be called),
the industry displayed in pushing every publica- elaborate productions planned by Messrs. Ham- is a thing of the past. The public, it is
tion that has the slightest merit in its favor, anil lin, Mitchell & Fields, this is a very important claimed, are sick and weary of hearing "trash,"
it is held this indiscriminate recommendation is musical deal. The first production, composed by and a more legitimate style in music and song is
falling short of its object. No one pretends to Victor Herbert, is already in the hands of the in vogue. Proof of this is said to be shown by
indicate for a certainty the trend of the public publishers, although the name of the piece is not the class of publications now being offered by
desire, and each has a hope that "something will yet divulged. The Witmarks will also publish the foremost music publishers. One of the best
be doing" in their direction. Of course, in this the score of "The Enchanted Isle," Mr. Herbert's examples of the music that is now in demand by
spirit of speculation every one knows of the few new opera, scheduled for production at the Ma- both the profession and public, may be cited in
the excellent list of vocal and instrumental pub-
jestic Theatre, following "Bird Center."
being chosen and the rest of the story.
Collections are fair, but not anything to boast
of, and on this score a jobber of experience said
to The Review, Monday: "You have no idea how
we have to watch credits. It's the worry of the
business, and only this morning I was called
upon to cut off a score of people who have gradu-
ally been working beyond the limit by clever
subterfuges. Their orders have been so arranged
as to befog our credit clerk, but wo "are on" just
the same and they cannot fool us. The amount of
vigilance required in this business ip surprising,
and it must be exercised even with concerns
which are supposed to be in the whirl. To be
sure, the conservative buyers among our steady
- .50
"GOOD-BYE, LITTLE GIRL, GOOD-BYE," By Cobb a n d E d w a r d s ,
going dealers are to be placed in this class;
otherwise, however, it requires so much careful
"YOU'RE THE FLOWER OF MY HEART, SWEET ADELINE,"
watching that special knowledge of people is al-
.50
By Gerard a n d A r m s t r o n g ,
.
.
.
most required. Business will not be real good
until after election."
- .50
"THERE'S NOTHING NEW TO SAY," By Alfred G. Robyn,
A publisher far removed from the helter-
(The Latest Ballad by the Composer of " Answer ")
skelter class, said: "Orders are in receipt, but
"GOOD-NIGHT, BELOVED, GOOD-NIGHT," By Fay and Oliver,
.50
not up to the mark. My opinion is trade will be
fair up to and after the presidential election.
Then, not what it should be until after the first
of the year."
REVIEW OF PUBLISHING CONDITIONS.
management. Unless these informal methods are
officially arranged for, the eager applicants are
given the frozen face without much ceremony.
Just a Reminder
OF THE BIG SELLERS
MUSIC PUBLISHERS' LIVE WIRES.
Saturday last one of the department stores, a
competitor for the supremacy in this unholy
trade rivalry, announced a "bargain sale" of
three cents a copy "for everything." Thousands
were said to have stormed this particular sec-
tion of the emporium which is determined to
maintain its supremacy as the "cheapest place in
New York," irrespective. It is now proposed that
the buyers and publishers, with a penchant for
this special trade, arrange regular sales days, and
that the suicidal cutting cease. It is a "puzzle
picture," according to those on the inside, and
the solution has not yet been forthcoming.
One publisher argues this way: "Very few
people have any idea of the vast amount of
money there is to be made and lost in the music
publishing business. At times from $10,000 to
$20,000 will be lost by a single publisher in try-
ing to make a 'winner.' Then again a lucky pub-
lisher will make a fortune on his first effort."
Then his hit is presented as the "real thing."
It is no small undertaking, according to an au-
thority, to work in an interpolation with a run-
ning musical comedy. One concern appears on
the scene with a piano player to demonstrate the
effectiveness of his melody. Another song writer
of frequent public mention steps in on the stage
and strums off his offering on the piano with
the hope of catching the "musical" ear of the
IN A BIRCH CANOE," A Musical Indian Novelty for Piano,
By Accooe and McPherson,
.50
LACES AND GRACES," A Novelette for Piano, By S&lzer and Br&tton, .50
AL FRESCO," An Intermezzo for Piano, By Frank Roland,
- .50
The Latest Successful Musical Productions
LOVE'S LOTTERY," Comic Opera, By Stange and Edwards
"FANTANA," Musical Comedy, By R. B. Smith, Shubert and Hubbell
"FLO FLO," Musical Comedy, By Collin Davis and Howard Whitney
Complete List of MusiceJ Numbers on Application
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