Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1905 Vol. 40 N. 11

Page 10 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
10
THE: MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
FREAK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
FURNITURE AND MUSIC.
Some Millionaires Who Adorn Their Houses in
Queer Ways.
Two Stores Combine to Receive Their Friends
and Mark the Opening of Fine New Build-
ing in Los Angeles.
The "musical washstand" of the Marquis of
Anglesey, which excited so much merriment a t
(Special to The Review.)
the recent sale, is not without precedent. Rick
Los Angeles, Cal., March 11, 1905.
men are to he found in all parts of the world by
Saturday was opening day at the new four-
whom freak furniture is considered an advan- story building occupied by the great, big, push-
tageous investment for unrequired wealth. A re- ing Lyon-McKinney-Smith Co., furniture, and the
cent Barcelona law case revealed the existence J. B. Brown Music Co., at Nos. 648 and 650 South
of a phonograph cradle which sang lullabies to Broadway.
the infant inside. The rich manufacturer who>
The entire fourth floor is filled with furniture,
gave the order sued for the return of his money but the other three floors are occupied on oife
on the ground that the phonograph went out of
side by the music store and on the other by the
order and seldom sang the required tune.
furniture people. For the purpose of the open-
The French newspapers, not long ago, con- ing reception the two stores were worked to-
tained obituaries of a Marseille exporter named gether by means of the elevators and stairways.
Gerard, who boasted a freak drawing room of
Visitors were taken to the top floor among the
an extraordinary kind.
furniture and released from the elevator and
The chairs and sofas were connected with a. then found their way down the rear stairway
hidden phonograph, which when a visitor sat to the next floor and into the music store, and
down, exclaimed, "Be as at home," and other hos- so on alternately through furniture and musical
pitable words.
instruments to the bottom.
In the furniture section of the Paris exhibition
The fine display in both establishments at-
of 1900 was a piano built for a Spanish grandee, tracted the attention of visitors. There were
strangly fitted. On either side of the music rack handsome decorations of flowers and other evi-
were electric candles which became brilliant dences of taste and enterprise.
when loud or quick music was played and almost
went out when the melody became slow or
HIGH CLASS MUSIC
funereal.
The Spaniard had strange theories as to t h e
relation between light and harmony, and at- Growing in Demand, According to James
O'Connor, of the Automusic Co.
tempted to embody them in his piano.
A millionaire Italian, named Colleom, a resi-
The manufacturers of perforated music are
dent in Naples, possesses an even stranger musi-
cal instrument. On the top of his grand piano is devoting their attention more and more to the
production of classical music. James Connor,
a square space representing the floor of a ball
room, and on the space dolls representing men president of the Automusic Perforating Co., of
and women dance to the players tune. By means 53 Broadway, who has a good opportunity to
of levers the dolls can be made to perform any study the public's taste, says that his company
dance, accordingly as the player plays a waltz, is devoting its energies to putting out music of
the highest standard, as the life of most of the
a polka or other music.
popular songs proves but brief, and the work
of the masters is always salable. Mr. Connor
Better weather this week is helping trade.
SPRING
has just issued an interesting little pamphlet,
"The Evolution of a New Art—How You Can
Get Artistic Results from a Piano Player." It
is intended to instruct the operators of auto-
matic pianos how to obtain a truly artistic ren-
dition from perforated rolls, and should receive
the attention of the trade.
TONK'S NEW STYLE THIRTEEN
Is in Great Demand—A Convenient Volume for
Tonk Salesmen.
The idea that thirteen may be an unlucky
number would seem to receive its death blow
after seeing the handsome style 13 piano just
placed on the market by William Tonk & Bro.,
manufacturers of the Ernest A. Tonk pianos at
452 Tenth avenue. The first of these instru-
ments, which left the factory Saturday, was con-
structed of a very rich mahogany in a strictly
colonial design. The trusses and pilasters and
top of the frame were embellished suitable to
the style represented. The firm will have five
more ready for delivery the coming week, some
with plain and some with carved tops.
A novelty in the shape of a folding catalogue
has just been issued by this house for the benefit
of their salesmen. The folder is bound in Rus-
sia leather, and when open, displays eight of the
latest styles of the Ernest A. Tonk pianos. It is
arranged so that when a change is desired, a
new cut can be inserted over the old one without
marring the catalogue in any way.
DEATH OF DANIEL CLARK.
Daniel Clark, who had been an organ maker
in Buffalo, N. Y., for half a century, died at 504
Niagara street, that city, Wednesday last. He
was born in England.
D. F. Laubenstein, music dealer, of Ashland,
Pa., died in St. Augustine, Fla., whence he and
his wife went last week in the hope of regaining
health.
IS
HERE
and with it there should come renewed business activity in many lines.
Are you ready Mr. Dealer to take the fullest advantage of the inspir-
ing effect of Spring ?
Is your stock complete in all essentials?
We feel confident that you could sell
Christman Pianos
You would be pleased if you saw them.
They would satisfy your best trade, and then, if an instrument of
lower price was desired, and of splendid value,
=-THE WORTHINGTON=
would completely fill the niche.
You will serve your own interests by investigating these instruments,
which are made by
CHRISTMAN SONS, a&*££*
I37th st

Page 11 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
ONE OF THE "OLD GUARD
George Nembach Has Passed Four Decades in
Active Piano Work—Has Directed the Des-
tinies of the Steck Piano Since 1865—Some
Interesting Reminiscences—Honors Won at
the Vienna Exposition—Has Steadfastly
Held to High Ideals.
"The Vienna Press, of August 14, 1873, printed
the following notice.
" 'This morning the exhibition was visited by
the Archduchess Marie and her husband, the
Archduke Rainer, honorary president of the ex-
hibition. During their visit to the North Amer-
ican gallery, it happened that one of the pianos,
manufactured by George Steck & Co., of New
York, was being played upon by George Nem-
bach, of that firm.
" 'After Mr. Nembach's fascinating improvisa-
tions he was complimented in exceedingly high
terms by Her Highness, the Archduchess, on his
playing; also on the beautiful tone of the in-
strument, which excited her warmest admiration.
Their Imperial Highnesses requested Mr. Nem-
bach to continue with his playing, which he did,
giving several selections.
" 'The Archduke, as honorary president of the
exhibition, showed great interest in the instru-
ment and had the construction minutely ex-
11
OUR FOREIGN CUSTOMERS.
Pianos and Other Musical Instruments Shipped
Abroad from the Port of New York for the
Week Just Ended.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, March 13, 1905.
The following were the exports of musical in-
It was in 1865 when Geo. Nembach first be-
struments and kindred lines from the port of
came associated with the late Geo. Steck, the
New York for the week just ended:
founder of the Steck house. Mr. Nembach was
Algoa Bay—28 pkgs. organs and material,
not only a young men of excellent business quali-
$2,919.
fications, but was acknowledged as an amateur
Auckland—39 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
pianist of more than ordinary ability. Mr.
terial, $1,328; 2 pkgs. organs and material, $250.
Steck had great confidence in the ability of Mr.
Berlin—8 pkgs. talking machines and material,
Nembach, and the management of the business
$373.
practically rested in his hands from his earliest
Buenos Ayres—13 pkgs. talking machines and
associations with the concern.
material,
$440.
There are few men indeed who have directed
Cape
Town—30
pkgs. organs and material,
the enterprise of a prominent music trade in-
$1,444;
2
pkgs.
piano
players, $133.
stitution for an unbroken period of forty years,
Cardenas—1
pkg.
pianos,
$200; 21 pkgs. talk-
and while Mr. Nembach has almost reached the
ing machines and material, $429.
seventieth milestone his mental and physical
Calcutta—22 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
powers are steadfastly maintained. While the
terial, $710; 12 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
snowfall of time has whitened his locks, it has
terial, $102.
not dimmed his eyes or taken the flush of health
Copenhagen—7 pkgs. organs and material,
from his cheeks. When Geo. Nembach is in his
$350.
reminiscent mood he has at his fingers' tips
Genoa—3 pkgs. musical instruments, $362.
many interesting reminiscences of the stirring
Gibraltar—7 pkgs. talking machines and mate-
days of pianodom, when he was an honored
rial, $143.
friend and a close associate of Wm. Steinway,
Glasgow—12 pkgs. organs and material, $480.
Albert Weber, Frank Chickering and others who
Hamburg—3 pkgs. talking machines and mate-
have lent lustre to piano making. Mr. Nembach
rial, $175; 13 pkgs. pianos and material, $519.
is almost the last of the "Old Guard," and in all
Hamilton—1 pkg. piano players, $150.
the years of active piano life he has never low-
Havana—9 pkgs. musical goods, $702; 7 pkgs.
ered the standard of excellence which was nailed
talking machines and material, $236.
to the Steck mast at the very inception of the
Havre—3 pkgs. piano machinery, $525; 8
business. When times were not of the best, and
pkgs. talking machines and material, $297; 1
there was a steady and almost overwhelming
pkg. piano players, $110.
trend towards the cheap in everything, Mr. Nem-
Launceston—10 pkgs. organs and material,
bach refused to truckle to the cheaper demand.
$315.
He figured that the Steck piano should ever be
Leipzig—9 pkgs. piano players, $1,300.
maintained as good as skill combined with the
Liverpool—28 pkgs. organs and material,
best of materials could make it. He took a pride
$2,879;
4 pkgs. pianos and material, $520; 6
in the old name, and a keen satisfaction in cre-
pkgs. talking machines and material, $477; 6
ating instruments of acknowledged merit. All
pkgs. music, $710; 5 pkgs. organs and material,
honor to George Nembach, one of the old guard
GEOEGB NEMBACH.
$214; 10 pkgs. pianos and material, $3,031.
who has always fought for a maintenance of
London—2 pkgs. talking machines and mate-
high standard, not only in piano quality, but in plained. Both their Imperial Highnesses ex-
pressed themselves as greatly pleased with the rial, $555; 12 pkgs. piano players, $1,185; 20
business dealings as well.
pkgs. pianos and material, $2,953; 45 pkgs. piano
Although it is a far cry from 1873 to 1905, yet exceptional fine tone.'
"On the occasion of the visit of His Majesty players, $9,900; 586 pkgs. talking machines and
the events of the great international exposition
held in Vienna at that time are as fresh in the Franz Joseph I. and suite to the American por- material, $7,559; 16 pkgs. organs and material,
memory of Mr. Nembach as though they oc- tion of the exhibition, His Majesty stopped in $4,646; 52 pkgs. music, $5,040.
passing the Steck exhibit, and I then had the
Manchester—2 pkgs. piano players, $210; 51
curred but last year.
While discussing this matter recently, Mr. honor of playing for the royal visitor (upon a pkgs. talking machines, $529.
Montevideo—27 pkgs. talking machines and
Nembach remarked: "European piano manufac- Steck concert grand) the Austrian National
material, $2,958.
turers had then recovered from their first sur- Hymn.
"Competition among the pianos exhibited was
Mauritius—2 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
prise occasioned by the superiority of the Amer-
ican piano. You know that at the Interna- so close and keen that the Archduke Rainer or- terial, $142.
Rio Janeiro—1 pkg. piano material, $270; 19
tional Exposition in London, Steinway & Sons dered an inspection of concert grands at his
and Chickering & Sons placed their pianos in palace. The Steck was of the number. A most pkgs. talking machines and material, $1,286.
Rotterdam—43 pkgs. organs and material,
competition with the foremost European makes. rigid examination followed, which resulted in
Special honors were won, and these great insti- the highest prize, the only gold medal, being $2,481.
Santiago—6 pkgs. talking machines and mate-
tutions stimulated by their success threw the given to the American exhibitor, George Steck
rial, $127.
gauntlet at the Paris Exposition in 1867. Here & Co.
"Another honor for the Steck followed soon
again they won the highest recognition from the
Sydney—22 pkgs. talking machines and mate-
jury of awards. And it was this time that Frank after, when one of our concert grands was pre- rial, $420; 14 pkgs. organs and material, $1,784.
Chickering was personally honored by the dec- sented to Richard Wagner by the Grand Niebe-
Valparaiso—2 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
oration of the Cross of the Legion of Honor. lungen Orchestra, of Beyreuth, which was under terial, $119.
the leadership of Hans Richter and August Wil-
This was a great compliment in those days, and
Wina—23 pkgs. talking machines and mate-
helmj."
was indeed a splendid recognition of the advance
rial, $1,422.
Mr. Nembach has always taken a warm inter-
made by American piano manufacturers. At
est in musical affairs, and he naturally takes an
that time we had great confidence in the Steck
MUEHLHATJSER & CO.'S OPENING.
instruments, and we believe that Steinway & honest pride in the history of the piano with
Sons and Chickering & Sons would be repre- which he has been identified for four decades.
(Special to The Review.)
sented at Vienna, and it was therefore deter- He is entitled, however, to a well-earned rest,
Cleveland, O., March 11, 1905.
and while he will continue to be a director in
mined to place the Steck pianos in competition.
The formal opening of the Muehlhauser-Locke
the Steck corporation and a director as well in Co.'s new piano store occurred yesterday after-
Through a personal arrangement, both of the
former firms decided to remain out of the race, the Aeolian, Pianola & Weber Piano Co., yet it noon and evening. A large crowd of friends, pa-
is presumed that he will enjoy a relaxation from trons and customers were continually in attend-
and Geo. Steck & Co. had their instruments
active business. He has fairly deserved a rest. ance. Music was furnished by Rosenthal's Or-
placed in competition with the famous makes of
There are indeed few men in any industry who chestra, and flowers were distributed as souven-
Europe.
"The result was in every way to the lasting ad- can show an unbroken record of forty years in
irs. The members of the new firm are A. W.
vantage of George Steck & Co. I was at the which there has been an unfaltering adherence Locke and O. C. Muehlhauser, both well known
time a young man, had charge of the Steck ex- to high ideals.
in local piano circles, having been connected with
hibit, and was so fortunate as to display the
one of this city's leading piano firms as sales-
Steck pianos to such advantage that, upon royal
The business of Maas & Eichelberger, of Wash- men for a number of years.
visitors and jury alike, the impression was most
ington, la., has been dissolved and in future will
Mr. Hugo Taussig, the well-known pianist, is
favorable.
be conducted by A. E. Eichelberger.
also connected with the company.

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