Music Trade Review

Issue: 1904 Vol. 39 N. 8

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE: MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
STRICH & ZE1DLER PIANO AT ST. LOUIS.
In the Wisconsin State Building—Attracts Much Attention—Warmly Praised by Critics—
Carving Is Considered Unique.
Considerable has been said about the Strich &
Zeidler piano which is located in the Wisconsin
State building at the St. Louis Exposition. It is
attracting great admiration, and forms a capital
illustration of the class of work produced by the
celebrated New York house. Chas. J. Orth, who
is the Wisconsin State agent for the Strich &
Zeidler, is already feeling the effects of this expo-
sition exploitation of the Strich & Zeidler pro-
duct in an increased interest in pianos bearing
that name. The secretary of the Wisconsin State
Commission, Grant Thomas, has written a warmly
eulogistic letter to the New York manufacturers.
The illustrations which are presented herewith
show the Wisconsin building, and the way the
Strich & Zeidler chef d'oeuvre appears in one of
the prominent booths. A minute
description of the instrument has
been written by Leicester Allen,
which is herewith reproduced:
"As an example of the noble
and ancient art of wood carving,
carried to the highest perfection,
this country contains very few, if
any, rivals to it, and in composi-
tion, artistic feeling, delicacy and
firmness of treatment it is worthy
to rank among the best work of
European masters.
"The work is in the Raphael-
esque style, as taught in the pur-
est school of Italian Renaissance,
of which there are few examples
in America.
"The upper part of the frame
has what would be called in archi-
tecture a pediment, upon which
the artist has wrought the most
important part of the entire de-
sign and which will well repay
careful minute study.- The over-
lapping lower portion of this pedi-
ment consists of a mask symboliz-
ing dramatic art. This is sur-
mounted by quills which allegor-
ize poetry and which are artisti-
cally grouped with interlaced
twigs and foliage of oak laurel.
These are flanked by dolphins
and seized and held by claws of
love birds.
"Surmounting the mask is the
exquisitely chiseled figure of a
cherub, under the half of a bi-
valvular seashell, which forms a
canopy, and the hinge of which also forms a sort
of pedestal for the gracefully posed figure. Upon
the right hand of the figure a butterfly, symbol
of the human soul, is in the act of alighting, and
the left hand holds a garland artistically twined
about the figure. The extreme left and right
hand parts of the pediment show fishes reposing
in and just visible through entanglements of sea-
weed.
"The top molding is supported by consoles, each
of which is a grotesque of different design from
any of the others, and it may here be noted that
all duplicate parts of the work which have simi-
lar contours have distinct and individual treat-
ment. No two similarly formed pieces are exact-
ly alike in decoration. This variety in the treat-
ment of duplicate parts adds greatly to the orig-
inality and interest of the design.
"The upper full swinging frame has a central
panel, flanked on either side with smaller panels.
The larger panel has an oval center, the marginal
molding of which is treated to give the same
effect, except in color, as hammered silver work, •
and is surrounded with symmetrically arranged,
finely chiseled scroll work of foliage.
"In the center of the oval is a gracefully posed
Venus, surrounded by an artistically disposed
group of cupids, who have exchanged bows and
quivers for musical instruments. In the back-
ground a sunburst is shown, and in the right fore-
ground are symbols of musical art and composi-
tion.
"The bottom of the oval is occupied with finely
cut scroll work.
"The flanking smaller panels have each a gro-
tesque head as the center of a tasteful arabesque,
v, r hich decorates the space remaining.
"The left pilaster of the upper full swinging
frame is decorated with a male and the right
with a female figure; both these figures are su-
perbly chiseled.
"Each of the trusses of the keyboard and the
ornamental pieces that decorate the arms has
been treated differently from the other. The truss
at the left of the plate is decorated with a face
slightly grotesque, while the face of the one on
13
that the Kimball Co., of Chicago, the original
builders of the organ, have been awarded the
contract for the remodeling of the instrument
and also for its redecoration.
The work will require several months, and in
order to accomplish it the builders will remove
the entire structure to Chicago, where the factory
is located, and after it is finished will send it
back again. The mammoth proportions of the
instrument are better understood when it is ex-
plained that to ship the entire structure will re-
quire seven freight cars and involve the handling
of thousands of separate pieces. The removal is
to be started in a short time, the only stipulation
being that the instrument must be ready for the
cathedral when wanted by the trustees, and this
will be in from six to nine months. The general
architecture of the instrument will not be
changed being constructed on Gothic lines, which
is the style of the new structure in which it will
be placed.
STRICH & ZEIDLER PIANO IN WISCONSIN STATE BUILDING AT THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION.
the right has been conceived and modeled by one
inspired by the genius of beauty and art.
"The shelf and keyboard are ornamented with Desire American Firms Having a Japanese
Trade to Support the Soldiers' Relief Fund.
low relief moldings, and the handle of the fall is
a lion's head, forming part of a graceful design
(Special to The Review.)
which includes the escutcheon of the keyhole on
Detroit, Mich., August 15, 1904.
the key slip.
The Farrand Organ Co., and other Detroit
"The solid carved work and the veneering are firms, who have business connections in Japan,
of the finest San Domingo mahogany. All ex- have received directly from Tokio circulars from
posed metal work is gold plated.
the Gunjin Izoku Kiugogikwai, which translated
"As a specimen of what can be done in wood into English means the Soldiers' Families Relief
sculpture in the decoration of a musical instru- Association, soliciting contributions for the relief
ment, I believe the equal of this work has never of the families of Japanese soldiers who have
been seen in this country, and I think it sets the been killed in the war with Russia. The circu-
pace for a new era in piano decoration in the lar contains the following appeal:
United States."
"Thus the Japanese youths have been sum-
moned to the field pledging their own death that
the nation may live. They being imbued with
patriotic spirit have not a moment to reflect upon
the financial condition of the families whom they
leave behind. Consequently these families are
Work Necessary to Make It Conform to Posi- obliged to depend upon the sympathy of the gen-
tion in New Cathedral.
eral public for their support."
JAPS APPEAL FOR FUNDS.
ST. PAUL'S ORGAN TO
BE RECONSTRUCTED.
(Special to The Review.)
Pittsburg, Pa., August 15, 1904.
The big organ presented to St. Paul's Cathedral
by Andrew Carnegie a couple of years ago is to
be reconstructed to make It conform with the lo-
cation it will hereafter occupy in the new cathe-
dral in Bellefield. It was announced yesterday
The new Christman retail piano warerooms, 35
West 14th street, were opened early in the week.
They are much more spacious than the premises
at 39 West 14th street, previously occupied. The
exhibit of Christman pianos now on view is large
and very attractive.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE: MUSIC TRADE
14
FARMERS BUYING PIANOS.
Assessors in Minnesota Return More Musical
Instruments Than in 1903.
(Special to The Review.)
St. Paul, Minn., August 12, 1904.
There are many more pianos m the country
districts of Minnesota than there were two years
ago, according to the abstracts of personal prop-
erty assessments which are arriving at the office
of the State Auditor S. G. Jverson. Every county
that has reported so far shows an increase in the
number of pianos.
There has been a falling off in cattle in some
counties; in horses and hogs in others; in money
and merchandise in still others, but pianos seem
to be more popular in all sections of the State.
The number of pianos in Carver county in-
creased from 91 in 1902 to 129 in 1904, and the
valuation jumped from $72.08 to $78.92. There
are 219 pianos in Kandiyohi county as compared
with 188 two years ago. The number increased
in Pine county from 78 to 117; in Traverse
county from 72 to 121 and in Watonwan county
from 119 to 150.
sons. A number of relatives and friends went
over to New York yesterday afternoon and
escorted the tourists home. They were ushered
into the rooms on the first floor, where the large
number of persons were in waiting and many
warm words of greeting and handshaking were
exchanged. After the superintendent had been
welcomed home the party went to the banquet
hall on the second floor, where a supper was
served.
GENERATES MUSIC BY ELECTRICITY.
Company
THE MEANDERINGS OF THE MEHLINS.
Otto Mehlin, of Mehlin & Son, in talking with
The Review on Tuesday, at the Mehlin factory,
54th street, near Eleventh avenue, on trade con-
ditions, said that the outlook for a healthy fall
trade is very encouraging. On his desk were
orders calling for the delivery of seventy-five
Mehlin pianos to Mehlin agents by September 1.
Other orders are coming in daily for immediate
delivery.
Paul G. Mehlin, head of the firm, is spending
the summer months at the new Mehlin residence
on the Palisades. He visits the factory daily and
is busy with several new designs.
ti. Paul Mehlin is resting for a few days with
his family at his favorite resort up the State.
Charles Mehlin is in charge at the Mehlin head-
quarters, Union Square, during his brother's
absence.
Otto Mehlin is in full charge at the Mehlin fac-
tory, and enjoys the work immensely.
RECEPTION TO LESTER VOYAGER.
Chartered In Jersey
$350,000 Capital.
City
With
New companies to file articles of incorporation
at the Hudson County Clerk's office were:
New York Electric Music Co.; capital stock,
$350,000, in shares of a par value of $100 each, all
common; registered office, 15 Exchange place, Jer-
sey City. Will generate and distribute music elec-
trically and acquire use, sell and lease inventions
in connection with the came, especially those
manufactured under letters patent granted to
Thaddeus Cahill.
AN INTEEESTING PUBLICATION.
It would be difficult to locate a trade publica-
tion which has received as many kindly com-
ments as the World's Fair number of The Music
Trade Review in the columns of the press. That
fact alone stamps it as an unusual publication,
and one possessing great merit. The subjoined
appeared in the Dayton (O.) Herald, under date
of August 6th:
"As told in the special and most attractive
World's Fair edition of The Music Trade Review,
the story of American musical development will
well repay perusal. The pages devoted to the
subject are replete with interest and new ideas.
Various articles are contributed by Arthur Foote,
Henry Holden Huss, Frank Damrosch, William
Mason, Emilie Frances Bauer, Mme. Pappenheim,
William H. Sherwood, Ernest Kroeger, Mrs. Zeis-
ler, J. K. Paine, Julie Rive-King, Homer Norris,
William Mason, T. Louis Lisser and Victor Her-
bert. The writings of these distinguished musi-
cians all tend to show that musical art in this
country should not be spoken of disparagingly
and distinguished as exclusively American, but
that it is worthy of respectful consideration from
the music lovers in all countries and climes."
REVIEW
AUTOMOBILE RUINED HIM.
(Special to The Review.)
Fort Wayne, Ind., August 15, 1904.
Andrew J. Kendall, of Bluffton, has filed a peti-
tion in voluntary bankruptcy. His liabilities are
$2,000. He is a music dealer, and an automobile
caused his ruin. He paid $600 for the motor car
a year ago and has spent $2,100 in repairs.
THE BENNETT-BRETZ PROPERTY SOLD.
(Special to The Review.)
Harrisburg, Pa., August 12, 1904.
The property of the Bennett-Bretz Piano Co.,
situated on the corner of Market street and River
avenue, was sold at the court house this after-
noon to G. R. Barnett, as attorney, for $7,900,
subject to encumbrances of $13,225.41, making
the total price of the building $21,125.41.
SAMPLES OF VOICE AND ACTING.
The
Phonograph
and the
Machine.
Moving
Picture
"This is a marvelous age we live in," said a
theatrical manager, according to the Washington
Post, "and its marvelousness was brought home
to me forcibly last week. I had written to a
French tenor and asked him what he would take
to come over here and sing next season. His re-
ply consisted of a letter and two cylinders.
" 'I will come for $500 a week,' the letter said,
'and I forward in another package samples of my
voice and of my acting.'
"The large cylinder was a phonographic record
of one of the man's solos. The smaller one was
a moving picture film of him singing the solo.
"I took the two cylinders to a dealer, and one
we put in a phonograph, the other in a moving
picture machine. Then we darkened the room,
and we started the machine and the phonograph
simultaneously. By Jove, sir, the actor might
have been present personally. There he was on
the screen, walking up and down the stage and
gesticulating, and there was his voice issuing
in sonorous notes from the big phonograph horn.
1 got from it as satisfactory an idea of the man's
talent as I could have gotten if he had visited
me."
Chas. Kosegarten, of the firm of Grubb & Kose-
garten, piano action manufacturers. Nassau, N. Y.,
Lester, Fa., August 16, 1904.
The employes of the Lester Piano Co. tendered recently burned out, has been passing several
a reception last evening to Mr. and Mrs. Otto days in St. Johnsville and Dolgeville looking over
Trefz, of Lester, on their arrival from a nine the plants in those towns.
weeks' tour through Germany, France, Switzer-
L. E. Girardy, piano manufacturer, Paducah,
land, Belgium and England, at the headquarters
of the Tinicum Republican Club, at Lester. * The Ky., has just moved into his new quarters which
affair was one of the most elaborate that has ever greatly increases his factory capacity. Mr.
taken place in the little eastern end town and Girardy is gradually extending his trade in
was attended by about two hundred and fifty per- Kentucky.
(Special to The Review.)
MOLLER'S BIG PIPE ORGAN.
Description of a Remarkable Moller Creation
Destined for Richmond.
(Special to The Review.)
Hagerstown, Md., August, 1904.
There has just been shipped from the pipe or-
gan factory of Mr. M. P. Moller, of this city, one
of the largest and most complete instruments
which his factory has ever produced. While there
has been a few larger pipe organs built for
churches in the United States, this instrument
cannot be surpassed for completeness of specifica-
tions and artistic design, while the same splen-
did workmanship which has placed the Moller
pipe organs ahead of all others is shown in every
detail.
The organ will be placed in the Beth Ahaba
Synagogue, Richmond, Va., and was designed and
built under the supervision of Mr. W. L. Mayer,
of Pittsburg, Pa., in whose hands the placing of
the contract for building the organ was entrusted
by the officers of the Temple. Mr. Moller has in
the past built a number of large organs under the
supervision of Mr. Mayer, who has held the posi-
tion of consulting organ architect for Mr. Andrew
Carnegie, and the fact that the contract for build-
ing so large an instrument was entrusted by him
to Mr. Moller, is sufficient proof of the satisfac-
tion the Moller organs have given in the past.
The organ has three manuals, thirty-seven
speaking stops, nineteen couplers, six mechanical
registers and seven pedal combinations and con-
tains over 2,400 pipes. The action used in this
organ is Moller's patent tubular pneumatic
throughout, including couplers and stop action.
An unusual feature is the manner of operating
the couplers, which in addition to being con-
trolled by knobs over keyboard, are also operated
by double acting pistons under great and choir
keyboards, rendering them easily accessible to the
performer at all times. The various stop com-
binations, of which there are nine, are made in
such a manner as to be instantly adjustable at the
keyboard, making it possible for the organist to
change the stops on any combination in a mo-
ment without interrupting the playing. These
combinations are also controlled by pistons under
the keyboards. In order to render the couplers
more effective all stops have been carried through
73 notes, the entire range of the couplers thus
avoiding the break in the music which occurs in
most organs when playing in the upper octaves.
The casing and front of the instrument show
the same careful and artistic workmanship that
is evident everywhere in the action and are in
perfect harmony with the interior of the Temple
which is one of the handsomest edifices of its
kind in America. The casing is finished entirely
in white enamel and gold leaf. The design is in
strict accordance with the Romanesque Ionic
style of architecture with elaborate carvings, all
of which have been executed by hand. The front
pipes are covered with pure gold leaf without
ornamentation. The console is made of finely se-
lected quartered oak wood and is located at a dis-
tance of six feet in front of the organ, in such a
manner that the organist sits with his back to
the instrument, and facing the congregation. The
cost of the organ is $8,000.
Mr. Moller has on hand at this time contracts
for thirty-eight large organs. During the past
week contracts were received for a large three-
manual pneumatic organ for Converse College,
Spartanburg, S. C, and a large two-manual pneu-
matic instrument for St. Stephen's P. E. Church,
Wilkinsburg, Pa.
TOOK POPPENBERG'S CIGARS.
The piano store of Geo. II. Poppenberg, Buffalo,
was entered last week by burglars, who entered
the establishment by breaking open the cellar
window. The report says that nothing of value
was taken with the exception of a bicycle and a
box of cigars. Now, whether these were of such a
Quality that the thieves were disgusted and re-
tired disappointed men or not, is omitted from
the despatch. One thing is certain Mr. Poppen-
berg will have to stand considerable chaffing over
the quality of cigars that he smokes.

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