Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE
43
REVIEW
^
In tHe World of Music Publishing
REVIEW OF TRADE CONDITIONS.
Trade Somewhat Quiet, Although Election
Has Restored Confidence—An Upward Trend
Toward Improvement Is Predicted Within a
Few Weeks—Publishers of the Better Class
of Music Report Improved Trade.
Outside of the "passing show," which may be
construed to mean several things specifically ac-
cording to the viewpoint of the publisher, busi-
ness has been quiet. Furthermore it is expected
to be in the doldrums for several weeks to come,
election influences to the contrary, no matter
which way the political cat has jumped. There
was a certain stimulating effect felt before this,
but now a few weeks will probably elapse before
the sponsors of popular music have gained their
bearings, for they follow public inclinations
closely, and the least change find sa corresponding
shift on their part. From time immemorial no
one has gauged popular fancy to a scientific ex-
actitude. Popular writers who have enjoyed pos-
sibly several triumphs as a limit, and in that
time may have imagined they possessed the
touchstone of success, have had their rainbows
shattered and their glittering prophecies dashed
to the ground by an unexpected "frost," which
has chilled their enthusiasm to a degree and
given them a crick in their positive attitude.
About now writers and publishers in the ranks of
people who would rather "make a stab" at the
songs of their country than do anything else, are
kept guessing what will happen next. Under
these circumstances the drift of affairs is in ed-
dies, with the steady current of public approval
yet to be discovered. Therefore the publishers
are disinclined to hazard predictions and are sat-
isfied with the ordinary run of trade.
It is evident, however, that publishing houses
in the so-called better class of music are quite
content to await developments, being strongly
impressed with the fact that standard publica-
tions of merit will be in better demand than ever
from now. In fact preparations to that end have
been under way for some time, and along about
the first of the year the list presented the trade
will be one of the best and strongest ever offered.
NEW WALTZ BY CHAS. H. STEINWAY.
Played by tne Herbert Orchestra Last Sunday
With Great Success.
The concerts given by Victor Herbert at the
Majestic Theatre on Sunday evenings have be-
come not only the fashionable but the successful
events of the musical season. His programs
are a happy mixture of the classical and the
popular, and the orchestra through practice has
now become a most effective organization.
Among the interesting numbers on the program
last Sunday night was a waltz entitled "Made-
line," by Chas. H. Steinway, president of Stein-
way & Sons, the celebrated piano manufacturers
of this city. It is a charming composition, in
which are displayed originality and skill. It was
admirably orchestrated and played with that deli-
cacy and charm which is a feature of all the
Herbert interpretations.
Mr. Steinway reveals some rare traits in this
busy, workaday world. He is not only a busi-
ness man of conceded ability, but he is also a
practical piano maker, and, as we have just re-
marked, a composer of no mean ability.
'MUSIC AND MUSICIANS."
Issue No. 19 of "Music and Musicians," pub-
lished by the John Church Co., has as a frontis-
piece an excellent portrait of Mme. Johanna
Gadski. Other portraits, each with a complete
professional record, are of David Bispham, Wat-
kins Mills, basso; William G. Hammond and
Grant Hadley. In addition there is an interesting
paper' on "Wagner" by J. S. Van Cleve, with
group portrait of the great master. An exhaust-
ive contribution on "Voice Culture," by Edith
Lynwood Winn, adds to the general attractiveness
of No. 19, which is one of the best of the series.
The autograph collection of favorite songs of
famous singers, published by the John Church
Co., and the Wagner Vocal Scores, another of the
firm's specialties, are in lively demand.
VICTOR HERBERT'S LITTLE JOKE.
Victor Herbert is chuckling these days over the
acquirement of a handsome new baton, which
came to him in payment of a wager, and which he
prizes not the less because it embodies his faith
in the pleasant theory that "Merits always wins."
Mr. Herbert is an optimist of the somewhat ex-
asperating order, who insist upon the disputed
fact that talent finds eventual recognition, even
in the face of opposing argument.
Not long since the subject was under discus-
sion, and Mr. Herbert's opponent declared him-
self of the opinion that a struggling composer
without fame would find it next to impossible to
have his work accepted by a publisher. "Non-
sense," exclaimed Mr. Herbert, scenting an oppor-
tunity to vent his optimism again, "nonsense; if
a man can < compose a piece of music which is
likely to become popular, he will not lack a pub-
lisher ,of that I am convinced." The argument
was continued then to a point where a wager re-
sulted. Several days later M. Witmark & Sons,
Mr. Herbert's publishers, received a music manu-
script, accompanied by a letter, from a small
town in Pennsylvania. The letter was from a
young man who asked consideration of the accom-
panjung composition, saying that Victor Herbert
had advised him to send it to the Witmarks, and
that he, Mr. Herbert, had heard the music. Such
recommendations are looked upon with suspicion
by the publishers, who know the insistence of
mediocre musicians, and that these means are
often employed by such men as Herbert to get rid
of annoying would-ebe writers of music.
Some time later Isidore Witmark found an op-
portunity to listen to this composition, among
many other submitted manuscripts. Out of the
lot this number ("Al Fresco") was chosen, and
subsequently published with the signature, Frank
Roland. So much pleased was Mr. Witmark with
the composition that he mentioned it to Victor
Herbert in a letter, and the composer, in his re-
ply, referred to the young man who had written
"Al Fresco" as "an acquantance" in whom he be-
lieved there was "much promise." On the even-
ing of the first Victor Herbert Sunday night con-
cert at the Majestic Theatre, Isidore Witmark,
with his family, occupied a box, and one of the
numbers not on the program attracted much at-
tention and was loudly encored. Soon he recog-
nized it as "Al Fresco," and during the intermis-
sion he mentioned it to Victor Herbert. Then the
cat came out of the bag.
"It was all a joke," said Herbert. "I wrote it
myself to decide a bet. Now that I have demon-
strated my point, you can put my name on it as
composer—Frank Roland is a myth."
And now Isidore Witmark is wondering where
his smile at the joke comes in, since in order to
credit Herbert with the composition it was nec-
essary to destroy orchestral parts, a number of
expensive plates and the first entire published
edition of "Al Fresco," which bore in large letters
the name Frank Roland.
REVIEWOQRAPHS.
With all the alleged sentiment concerning de-
partment store positions, and the fuzzy news-
paper interviews, one publisher very much inter-
ested declares the only solution of the question is
"Publishers must keep out of the retail business."
The quotable party also added that the proposi-
tion of publishers to get together was absurd, as
he knew of no one important house that would
meet another to discuss the matter without a pre-
liminary wink of the left eye.
"The Music Master" and "The College AVidow"
waltzes, with exceedingly artistic title pages, arm
fresh from the press of M. Witmark & Sons."
"His Highness the Bey," Jos. E. Howard's new
musical comedy, is now in active rehearsal at the
La Salle Theatre, Chicago, and according to re-
port it will be one of the most elaborate scenic
productions that has ever been produced in th'is
popular house, no expense being spared to make
it of the very best. There are at least a dozen
hits in the show, which will open around Nov.
21. The music will be published by Chas. K.
Harris.
I. Waldman Teschner, business manager in the
Sol Bloom establishment, quietly slipped out of
town Thursday last for a look over the Western
field. He will go as far as Denver, and is espe-
cially intent on closing several contracts of mag-
nitude and importance. On the "fine work" in
transactions of this kind Mr. Teschner has few
equals. In about a week the gentleman will be
answering telephone calls at his home desk in
the same pleasant .surprised way as if he had
been coming down town via the subway without
a break.
Illustrated songs are now a strong feature with
several prominent publishing houses. I t is as-
serted that a string of "ten cent vaudeville the-
atres" have come to the front within a year, and
in which "turns" of this kind are not only wel-
come but big payers. Publishers giving special
attention to furnishing a better grade of slides
are believed to be reaping a harvest.
HITS! HITS! HITS!
VOCAL
Goodbye, Little Girl, Goodbye
50 You're the Flower of My Heart, Sweet
Adeline
50
Goodnight, Beloved, Goodnight
50
50
Girl Who Cares for Me
50 Lucy Lindy Lady
Listen to the Big Brass Band
50
Because You Were an Old Sweetheart of
50
Mine
50 My Little Love-Bird
50
There's Nothing New to Say
50 In Dreamland, In Dreamland
M. WITMARK & SONS, New Yo*k
CHICAGO
LONDON