Music Trade Review

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THE
BUSINESS SHOWS IMPROVEMENT.
Orders Somewhat More Frequent—Matter of
Prices Ameliorated by Some Five and Ten
Cent Stores Giving Up Music Departments.
There is a slight rift in the cloud of dullness
that has been hovering over the music publish-
ing and distributing business for several weeks
past, possibly longer. Orders from the trade have
increased, but only to meet pressing demands.
The spirit of speculation or "taking a chance,"
as it is termed, is dead, and is not likely to re-
vive for weeks to come. With the opening of the
week the mails have improved, but only in con-
trast to the previous quiet period, with collec-
tions far from satisfactory.
It is admitted, without any qualification, that
the condition of the publishing business is not to
the liking of anybody or firm having connections
therewith. The matter of prices is such a seri-
ous menace that the leading houses aim to se-
cure operatic productions of the higher order
rather than the general run of popular prices.
The attachment of a high-class composer confers
such prestige that the entire catalogue of a con-
cern in the fortunate category is placed on a
correspondingly elevated plane, and the benefit is
therefore general as well as particular. The de-
moralization occasioned by cut prices is some-
what ameliorated by the announcement that the
chain of cheap or five and ten-cent stores in
the East has concluded to abandon the sale of
sheet music. Their Western prototypes still re-
main active, but it is predicted that in the course
of a very short time they, too, will cease from
troubling. This class of goods is held to be so
incongruous to the goods of so-called imitation
merchandise these establishments make a spe-
cialty of, that the wisdom of "cutting it out" al-
together is becoming recognized.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
trade to pick up—slowly, to be sure; but the gain
will be perceptible, nevertheless."
NEW ENGLISH COPYRIGHT BILL.
British Government Decides to Endorse the
O'Connor Measure—Full Text of Proposed
Act to Remedy Abuses of Long Standing.
songs, the majority of which are well-known to
every one. For the fall the firm's plans are very
extensive. Their new folios include one arranged
by George Rosey, as well as several others."
Judging from appearances, things are in very
prosperous shape in their music department.
SCORE OF DE KOVEN'S LATEST OPERA.
(Special to The Review.)
The complete vocal score of "The Student
London, July 21, 1906.
King," which recently came from the publishers,
The British Government has consented to in- Jos. W. Stern & Co., is a massive work, contain-
dorse T. P. O'Connor's musical copyright bill, ing 240 pages. The cover design is thoroughly in
which insures its passage. It is believed that the keeping with the atmosphere of the piece and
enactment of the measure will end the extensive the color scheme, a beautiful combination of
and long-established piracy of music and insure orange and deep robbin's egg blue. The engrav-
the protection of home as well as foreign com- ing and binding is of the best and the paper of a
posers. American composers and publishers are slightly better grade than is usually used in
concerned in the measure, because of recent operatic scores.
years much American music has been stolen and
"The Student King" is a romantic light opera
republished here. The agitation for parliamentary
in three acts, with book and lyrics by Frederic
action lasted eight years and had heretofore Ranken and Stanislaus Stange, music by Regin-
failed, Lut this year Mr. O'Connor succeeded in
ald De Koven, and has just had a most success-
gaining the support of every group in the House ful run in Chicago, and is considered the most
of Commons, and finally induced the Government successful of all the De Koven operas. It is re-
to take up the bill, the complete text of which plete with student songs, Tyrolean melodies and
follows:
native dances, which lend dash and color and
Section 1. Every person who sells, exposes, of- beautiful effect to the production. The leading
fers or has in his possession for sale any pirated numbers are: "The Same Old Game," "The Gay
music shall (unless he proves that he acted inno- Lieutenant," "The Student King," "Nudel, Nudel,
cently) be guilty of an offense punishable on sum- Nup, Nup," "Give Me Thy Heart, Love," and
mary conviction in manner provided by the law "The Pretty Tyrolese." "The Student King" is
in force in that part of the British Islands where' published by Joseph W. Stern & Co.
the offense is committed, and shall be liable to
imprisonment with or without hard labor for a
THE "SOCIAL WHIRL" IN COURT.
term not exceeding one month or to a fine not
exceeding five pounds, and on a second or subse-
The "Social Whirl," a musical comedy now
quent conviction, to imprisonment, with or with-
out hard labor, for a term not exceeding two running at the Casino Theatre, New York, has
months or to a fine not exceeding ten pounds. got into the courts. A suit was started in the
Any constable may take into custody without United States Circuit Court Saturday last by
warrant any person who sells, exposes, offers, or William E. Hall, as assignee of Charles W. Doty,
Jobbers, while having a wider and more diver- has in his possession for sale any pirated music. who asserts that he is the author of the play,
sified field to operate in than the publishers, are
against Sam & Lee Shubert, the producers. Ac-
Sec. 2. Any constable authorized by an order
not loath in acknowledging trade is far from
cording to the papers in the case, the play was
of
a
court
of
summary
jurisdiction,
made
under
active; as an authority frankly confessed, "busi-
produced by Frank L. Perley in the autumn of
ness has been rotten for four months." Pub- Sec. 1 of the Musical (summary proceedings)
1905, under the title "The Winning Girl," and
lishers assert that jobbing houses are holding Copyright Act, to seize pirated copies of any mu- proved a failure, after which the Shuberts
back their orders and buying only what is ac- sical work, may, between the hours of six of the bought it and had it overhauled and rewritten.
tually needed to meet current calls. Commenting clock in the morning and nine of the clock in
The plaintiff seeks to enjoin the Shuberts from
on this, The Review was enlightened as follows: the evening, enter any house or place named in further presenting the play and also demand
"On the level, business is extremely quiet, no such order, and, if necessary, use force for mak- back royalties. The managers allege it is prac-
matter who may say to the contrary. Perhaps ing such entry, whether by breaking open doors tically a new play, and that the author consented
since the 10th a few more orders are in, but or otherwise.
to the revision. The Shuberts say the play has
Sec. 3. In this act the expression "pirated mu-
they cut very little figure. Of course, we expect
earned $142,484 up to June 7, and is expected to
sic" means any musical work written, printed or
otherwise reproduced without the consent law-
Complete vocal score and Separate Numbers of
fully given by the owner of the copyright in such
NOTICE TO THE TRADE
musical work.
Sec. 4. This act may be cited as the Pirated
Book and Lyrics by CHAS. EMERSON COOK.
Music by LUCIUS HOSMER.
Music Act, 1906, and shall extend to the British
Featuring the well-known prlma donna,
July ist, igob, all the Francis, Day & Hunter
Islands.
Mme. LILLIAN BLAUVELT.
publications previously handled by The T, B. Harms
"THE ROSE OF THE ALHAMBRA"
ON AND AFTER
Supplementary Songs In the following productions :
EDNA MAY'S New Musical Play,
"THE CATCH OF THE SEASON."
"RAINING"
By Jerome D. Kern
SHUBERT BROS.' English Musical Comedy Success,
"THE EARL AND TUB GIRL."
"HOW'D YOU LIKE TO SPOON WITH ME."
Max. C. Eugene's hit, "IN ROSELAND" Intermezzo
Published bv
T. B. HARMS CO.
26 West 44th St.
BLANCHE
NEW YORK
RING'S
"Come Take a Skate With Me"
In "HIS HONOR THE MAYOR"
and these other liitu:
"If a Girl Like You Loved a Boy Like Me," "Some-
body's Sweetheart I Want to Be," "I'll Do Anything
in the World for You," "Two Dirty Little Hands,
"When the Green Leaves Turn to Gold," "In a Little
Canoe With You," "Pocahontas," "You Can't Give
Your Heart to Somebody Else and Still Hold Hands
With Me," "Kiss Me Once More Good-Night," "Na-
poli," "Cherokee" and "The Hurdy Gurdy Man."
PUB. BY Gus Edwards Music Pub. Co.
1512 Broadway, New York
"THE MOST POPULAR HOME SONGS."
Big Seller With Hinds, Noble & Eldredge—
Summer Business Exceptionally Satisfac-
tory.
Albert E. Wier, manager music department of
Hinds, Noble & Eldredge, in commenting this
week on the excellent condition of their summer
business, particularly as regards the sales of
"The Most Popular Home Songs," said: "This
folio, published only during February, will soon
pass the 75,000 mark, and is proving its real
strength by keeping up the sales during the slow
summer season. Some circular matter sent out
to the trade within a fortnight has brought back
excellent results on the book, and that a steady
demand is experienced also for their college song
books, among which 'The Most Popular College
Songs' is the leader. The reason for this is that
there is no book more convenient for the use of a
party of friends gathering around the piano to
sing than a college song book which contains
Publishing Co. must be ordered direct from us.
The F., D. & H. Catalogue includes all
the music from
" FLORODORA"
"THE SILVER S L I P P E R "
"THE SCHOOL, GIRL"
etc.. etc., etc., etc., etc.
Francis, Day & Hunter,
15 w es
ce
N E vlr^oRK
LOOK!
HAPPY HEINIE
IS THE MOST TALKED OF
MARCH T W O - S T E P .
Do you play it?
JEROME H. REMICK & CO.
45 West 28th Street,
New Yorlc