Music Trade Review

Issue: 1905 Vol. 41 N. 14

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TIMELY TALKS ON TIMELY TOPICS.
If last season was designated as an orchestral
season, what shall we say of the one which lies
before us with all its ravishing announcements
of orchestral delights? Indeed, the promises on
the tapis make us happy, not alone for ourselves
but for the outlying cities that are to be privi-
leged if they take advantage of the opportunities
which will be presented them. We may indeed
ask whether it is the orchestra or the conductor
which is the attraction, and presume that we may
answer the question by saying it is the conductor,
since it is he who permeates the spirit of the or-
ganization before him, and as a matter of fact,
with the exception of the Boston and the New
York Symphony Orchestras, there has been no
opportunity for the conductor to stamp himself
upon his organization, as there have been con-
stant changes at the baton of the other great
bodies of musicians. While this is to'be regretted
Paris, Madrid and St. Petersburg, where for five
seasons he has had the direction of a series of
symphony concerts, all this in addition to his
work as conductor of the Hamburg Philharmonic
Orchestra. Dr. Kunwald, of Frankfort, has had
a mixed career in so far as he was first operatic
conductor, having produced the Wagnerian music
dramas in Spain. Later he was conductor of the
opera in Frankfort and in Berlin, but since 1903
he has devoted himself exclusively to conceit con-
ducting. Also a distinct notable is Fritz Stein-
bach, of Cologne, who succeeded Hans Von Bulow
as conductor of the Meiningen Orchestra in 188C,
where he remained until 1902. For the last three
years he has conducted the Gurzenich Symphony
concerts at Cologne. He also is essentially mod-
ern, being a noted interpreter of Brahms.
Safonoff will have two concerts in the regular
The New York Symphony plans are very elab-
orate. New York will have sixteen concerts, four
of which will be conducted by Felix Weingartner
and twelve by Walter Damrosch. This organiza-
tion will also be heard on tour with both con-
ductors.
It is impossible at the present moment to offer
a list of the soloists who will be heard with the
different organizations. It must be sufficient to
say that all of the important ones will be heard
in turn. The only announcement which has been
made comes from the Boston Orchestra, and the
list includes: Harold Bauer, Adele Aus der Ohe,
Alfred Reisenauer, Ernest Hutcheson, Olga Sama-
roff, Rudolph Ganz, Waldemar Lutschg, pianists;
Willy Hess, Marie Hall, Henri Marteau, Timothee
Adamowski, Felix Winternitz, Jacques Hoffmann,
violinists. Heinrich Warnke, Elsa Ruegger, 'cel-
lists; Emma Eames, Olive Fremstadt, Mme. Gad-
ski, David Bispham, Ellison Van Hoose and Ben
Davies, vocalists. It is also understood that
Rafael Joseffy will make a long tour with the
New York Symphony Orchestra and Walter Dam-
•ph.
Although the season seems a long way from
open, it is customary to believe that it has begun
after the Worcester Festival has occurred. This
great New England event took place September
27, 28 and 29. Unquestionably the great success
of the entire list of attractions was Harold Bauer,
who played the Tschaikowsky Concerto for piano
and orchestra as it has never been heard before.
Mr. Bauer has reached a height which we hardly
dare measure by anything that has gone before.
His is the most sincere and most unaffected play-
ing conceivable, and great as he was we are Justi-
fied in feeling that he returns greater and bigger
than ever. He left for the Pacific Coast, opening
his recitals in Portland, Oregon, October 11.
After playing in San Francisco and other coast
cities, he will return for the season here.
Courtesy of The New York Times.
VICTOR
from a certain side, we cannot fail to be im-
pressed with the remarkable education that this
importation of conductors has brought about, be-
cause we have had the opportunity to witness
every school of every country and to draw com-
parisons with what we have of our own, compari-
sons indeed which have served to show us how
great our own conductors are.
series and one extra concert, but this will not be
our only opportunity to hear the Russian favor-
ite, since he will assume charge, in connection
with Modest Altschuler, of the Russian Symphony
concerts, both in New York and on a tour. With
this enterprise will be identified Rachmaninoff,
the great Russian composer, and J. Lhevinne, a
Russian pianist, who for political reasons was dis-
missed from the Imperial Conservatory at St.
The announcement of the Philharmonic Society Petersburg.
It would not be at all surprising if America
is keenly interesting, not only on account of the
four strangers to these shores, but also because were to have the unexpected visits of other
we are again to hear Safonoff and Victor Herbert noted Russian artists, who have just been dis-
with the Philharmonic players at Carnegie Hall. missed from the Imperial Conservatory, also, for
The new men are William Mengelberg, Max Fied- political reasons, and it is further stated that
ler, Dr. Ernst Kunwald and Fritz Steinbach. Men- their works will not be permitted performance
gelberg, who will conduct the first pair of con- in Russia. These are no less personages than
certs, is director of the Concert-Gebouw Sym- Rimsky-Korsakoff, Liadow, Glazounow and Mme.
phony Orchestra of Amsterdam, which is one of Annette Essipoff, who was formerly the wife of
the noted organizations of the Old World. His Leschetitzky.
programme will contain Richard Strauss' sym-
phonic poem, "Ein Heldenleben," which composi-
The Boston Symphony Orchestra will also de-
tion was dedicated to the conductor after his pre- part from its custom and for a number of concerts
sentation of that work at the Strauss Festival in Mr. Gericke will yield the baton to Vincent
London. He is essentially modern in his tastes D'lndy, the great French conductor and com-
and is especially noted as an interpreter of poser, who is at the head of the great musical in-
Strauss' music. Max Fiedler, of Hamburg, is not stitution known as the Schola Cantorum. D'lndy,
unknown to the music lovers of America who are of course, will be heard in New York and on the
familiar with the musical doings of Europe, for regular tours which the Boston organization
he is identified with a great many successes In makes every five weeks.
. ,,..-?,_,.,
The opening of the Institute of Musical Art of
New York will occur October 11, when an invita-
tion concert will be given in the Assembly Hall
of that institution. In so far as the faculty in-
cludes some of the greatest artists living, it will
not be difficult to offer an attractive programme.
One of the most interesting engagements was that
of Sigismund Stojowski, who will be at the head
of the piano department, this noted artist being
an excellent teacher, as well as concert pianist.
His work will be supplemented by that of Mrs.
Thomas Tapper, for years one of the foremost
teachers of Boston, and the greatest representa-
tive of Leschetizsky in this country. Arthur
Hochmann will also teach and the identification
of the Kneisel Quartette is too well known to re-
quire even a comment.
Frank Damrosch, director of the institute, has
already proven himself a master if in no other
way than through the engagements he has made.
Also the rearrangement of the old Lenox mansion
was a splendid piece of engineering, because as
it now stands it is an ideal home for an institu-
tion of this kind, every line breathing a dignity
and an atmosphere of majesty which is well In
keeping with the aims of the institution.
One of the latest announcements is the en-
gagement of Henry E. Krehbie] for a course of
thirty lectures upon "How to Listen to Music."
These talks will be given every Tuesday morning
and will, among other things, serve to explain the
historical, musical and literary points of the great
symphonic and operatic works to be presented
during the season.
One of the most important gifts to the new In-
stitute of Musical Art, was the entire circulating
musical library presented by Rudolph Schirmer.
The negotiations are completed for a large pipe
organ, to be erected in Assembly Hall, when the
organ instruction will be treated as completely as
any other branch of instrumental, theoretical and
vocal music. The number of pupils already en-
rolled is far beyond the expectations of those
most closely interested, and it is now a foregone
conclusion that this enterprise will be one of
the greatest influences ever brought to bear on
the musical life of this country.
... . - . . , ,
EMILIE FRANCES BAUER.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
6
THE: MUSIC
TRADE:
RE™
COWARD LYMAN BILL.
Editor and Proprietor
J. D. S F I L L A N L , M . n . f i n t f Editor.
EXECVTIVE AfsD REP0RT0R1AL STAFF:
OHO. B. KELLER,
WH. B. WHITE,
W. N. TYLER,
EMILIB FRANCIS BAUKR,
L. J. CHAMBERI.IX.
A. J. NICKLIN,
GKO. W. QUBRIPBL.
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PiAMn T n e ( l |l *' ct(J| y ° ' piano manufacturing firms and corporations
PIANO f oun( j 0 D another page will be of great value, as a referenct
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REIVIEIW
attractive musical or dramatic accessories, so that the people would
be drawn to the exhibition through the special attractive features
presented.
T
H E trade exposition in Washington promises nothing of this
nature. So as far as attracting the public, and thus increasing
the selling of pianos, there has been no argument whatsoever ad-
vanced. If we satisfactorily settle the question that no more pianos
can be sold to the consumers—that is, the retail purchasers—then it
settles down to a question of an actual trade advantage between
manufacturer and dealer. There may be, of course, some new
r.gencies made, trading about as it were, but presumably no impor-
tant deals will be consummated during the trade convention week.
Both manufacturers and dealers are more or less engrossed with con-
vention duties, and they are truthfully not in the mood to take up for
serious consideration the taking on of other lines.
The dealers would go through the piano exposition in a hurried
or indifferent manner, and probably would consider possibilities of
new trade alliances later, but it is safe to presume that any trade
exposition would not seriously change existing relations between
prominent dealers and well-known piano manufacturing institutions.
A
DEALER whose interests have been allied with well-known in-
struments for years is not inclined to break those existing
relations in the hurry and excitement which are inseparably associ-
ated with trade gatherings, where there are more or less social feat-
ures interjected. He might view with a modicum of interest certain
pianos which he met more or less in competition, but to make new-
business engagements, including, of course, new territorial allotment,
would be practically impossible during the hurrah of a music trade
convention. So the well-known—that is, the large producing piano
firms—could not profit by such an exposition. It would simply be
for them money expended, the returns for which would be out of all
proportion to the expense necessary to maintain a suitable repre-
sentation.
A
O
PPOSITION to a trade exhibition of pianos during Conven-
tion week in Washington next year is steadily growing. A
number of important manufacturers have not hesitated to express
their opinion that such an exposition would be injurious to the trade
in many respects, and we may add that such an expression of opinion
has been supplemented by that of a number of leading dealers who
also do not look with favor upon the plan.
It is well, indeed, to consider a move of this kind from every
possible viewpoint before entering enthusiastically upon it, for when
the machinery is once placed in motion, it will be pretty difficult to
slow up until the harm has been done.
A good many who originally expressed themselves as favoring
• the move, frankly say that they did not give it the serious considera-
tion which the subject demands.
L
ET us view this exposition matter in a number of lights and see
whether the situation improves under usage, to paraphrase the
advertising caption of a well-known piano house.
A trade exposition is primarily held for the promotion of trade
interests, and the general enlightenment and information which it
conveys regarding the value and variety of products of a special
industry.
One of the great forces behind a trade exposition is public in-
terest, and it is supposed that industrial shows will accelerate public
interest in special products, and in that way widen the avenues of
distribution.
Now, will a piano trade exhibit in Washington increase the sale
of instruments to retail purchasers by a single piano? If so, in what
manner ?
W
E should be glad to have this question answered by any one
who can explain just how more pianos are going to be sold
to the public through the proposed exhibition, thus benefiting both
merchants and manufacturers by the increased distribution.
If this point cannot be argued successfully, then it must be ad-
mitted thit the most important reason for the existence of an expo-
sition does not exist. The only way possible to interest the public
would be by an enormous trade exposition, supplemented with some
LARGE manufacturer would not feel that his exhibit would be
fairly representative without sending on at least a half a
dozen pianos. He would have to do at least this in order to maintain
his position when compared with some of the lesser makers.
Now, to send on a half a dozen pianos, pay freight and cartages
both ways, pay for ground rent in the exposition hall and one or two
trade representatives to explain and to entertain for a week, would
mean an outlay of hundreds of dollars. Therefore, the expense item,
which is a most important one. after all, is worth while considering.
T
HEN again there is still another point, which has not as yet been
discussed. Suppose a number of manufacturers who have
not at present large existing trade relations should view with favor
this opportunity of exploiting their products before the dealers, and
send on an imposing line of pianos. Granted, for the sake of argu-
ment, that there are quite a number of such exhibits, and let us argue
further that these firms may have no local representation in Wash-
ington, and they do not, during convention week succeed in estab-
lishing business connections there which are satisfactory, what will
they do with their instruments which have been exhibited? Ship
them back home, thus adding materially to their expense, or will
they be inclined to put them out at wholesale rates to private cus-
tomers in Washington?
Would it not be surprising under such conditions to see the
Washington papers filled with announcements of pianos offered at
wholesale rates, fresh from the manufacturers, and if a few hundred
pianos of this kind were dumped upon the market in Washington,
Baltimore and surrounding towns we rather incline to the idea that
the dealers of neighboring cities would pay a premium to keep away
the association gatherings from their towns, if such methods were to
be followed in the future.
N
OW, these possible conditions are not overdrawn in the slight-
est, and we cannot see how the actual distribution of pianos
would be increased by a single instrument by such a trade exhibit as
is proposed. We cannot see how manufacturers, as a class, can profit
by this exposition, or how the dealers themselves will win advance
by promoting such an enterprise. It will be expensive and will cost
many thousands of dollars, which expense, of course, must be met
by manufacturers, and that, too, without the possibility of increasing
their output in the remotest degree.
There is a strong current of opposition to the move among those

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