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TSE MUSIC TRADE! REVIEW
NEWS FROM OVER THE SEA
(Special to The Review.)
Review Office, G9 Basinghall Street, E. C.
London, England, Aug. 2, 190G.
Trade conditions have been rather unsatisfac-
tory of late, and there is no indication of an im-
mediate change for the better. There has been
quite a large influx of American visitors for the
past two months, so that quite an American col-
oring has been given to the music trade.
Mr. Frank A. Hessin, manager of the Berlin
branch of the vEolian Co., was here recently in
conference with Mr. A. J. Mason, the manager of
the local branch of the ^Eolian Co. The new
building of the ^-Eolian combination, at 4 Bellevue
strasse, Berlin, is rapidly approaching completion,
and will be formally opened some time next
month. Mr. Charles H. Steinway, who was here
in June, is now at Aix-les-Baines, and will return
to America early next month. Mr. Frank A. Lee,
the president of the John Church Co., has been
some time in London, and now has gone to Paris
with his family.
Music Trades Exhibition.
All who have visited London know the Crys-
tal Palace, and although it is perhaps not cen-
trally convenient it is a capital place for an ex-
hibition of musical instruments. There was a
splendid collection of all the latest models in
pianos and organs, not to mention piano-players,
talking machines and allied trades. Under the
huge glass roof of the palace the whole repre-
sentation formed a striking example of the gigan-
tic extent of the music trade. All the principal
firms were well to the fore, the magnificent and
tastefully decorated stands providing not a little
evidence of the amount of time and trouble de-
voted to insuring the best possible display. From
what I gathered the exhibition proved an un-
doubted success in all respects.
The Publishing Trade.
Exchanging remarks with certain prominent
music publishers, one inclines to the belief that
although trade is anything but brisk, the produc-
tions are more numerous, and this month's sales
are greater in proportion than in any previous
year. This is not to be wondered at if we con-
sider that with each year education advances, and
consequently the masses are better able to under-
stand and appreciate the higher class music now
issued.
Brinsmead Celebrates.
Mr. and Mrs. John Brinsmead celebrated this
month the sixty-ninth anniversary of their wed-
ding. Mrs. John will be ninety-two next Febru-
ary, while Mr. John reaches that age next Octo-
ber. The venerable couple are much esteemed
throughout the trade and have received many
expressions of good will. May they both continue
to enjoy good health and prosperity.
Latest from
Ernest
Kaps Ltd.
A prettily designed piano called the "Century"
has recently been placed upon the market by
Messrs. Ernest Kaps, Ltd. Their general busi-
ness is satisfactory.
Metzler & Co.'s "Maestro."
Messrs. Metzler & Co., Ltd., of Great Marlboro
street, are as enterprising as 1 ever. Their latest
is a piano, styled the "Maestro piano," worked
by mechanical power, in the shape of an accu-
mulator, or the ordinary electric light current
connected with the motor, would work satisfac-
torily. The instrument automatically stops itself
and rewinds the music roll, thus avoiding the
usual necessity of pedaling. The selling price of
this instrument is 220 guineas. The famous
"Humanola" piano-player still enjoys a large sale,
and, retailing at £25, is claimed to be the most
economical player on the market.
Challen & Sons, of Oxford street, report a fair
summer trade and signs of a good season this
year. The same applies to the Farrand Organ Co.,
John Brinsmead & Sons, the Opollo Co.. Hodge
& Essex, Steinway & Sons and others prominent
in the trade.
The Musical Copyright Bill.
ing piece of music, full of melody, light and shade
Sitting up till after 3 o'clock on the morning of and go. It is undoubtedly a work of great prom-
the 18th inst., the House completed the considera- ise of a light, classical nature. The Duke's belief
tion of the Musical Copyright bill in committee. The in the future of musical England was apparent
chief amendment was moved by certain members by his final remarks, which were loudly ap-
who desired that-the hawker should not be pun- plauded.
ished unless it was conclusively proved that he
The German Government Issues a Warning.
was fully aware it was pirated music he was of-
German manufacturers and agents in England
fering for sale. The bill was in charge of the have recently received a circular from their Gov-
Home Secretary, and the Government had no ernment, in which special attention is drawn to
difficulty in defeating the amendment, which, it the advisability of refraining to publish trade
was declared, would weaken the bill. On the mo- information regarding market conditions and
tion of Mr. Gladstone it was decided to matte the manufacturing interests generally. Fears are en-
bill applicable to the whole of the British Isles, tertained that such reports are carefully studied
and also that imprisonment should not be im- by foreign competitors to the detriment of Ger-
posed as punishment for the first offence. Other man trade interests. Comparisons of cost, tariff
amendments were proposed, but all were easily rates, etc., should be avoided, as it is claimed
defeated. All the clauses were finally agreed to that nobody benefits thereby perhaps more than
and the bill passed through committee amid competitive makers of similar goods. Last, but
cheers.
not least, the circular advises that foreigners
At a previous discussion Mr. Lupton, in the should be excluded from the factories, and that no
course of a speech, unfolded a roll of music. "Sing complaints about bad business should be- pub-
it," shouted many members. Mr. Lupton pleaded as lished. Our friends must not box themselves up
excuse that it was not to be expected he could too much, or we shall be liable to forget their
sing at midnight, as the song was "Kathleen existence. The circular may be very well in a
Mavourneen.". Nationalists were more than ever way, but it must not infer that we lack sufficient
anxious that the member for Sleaford should brains to manufacture and successfully compete
"oblige." The honorable member, however, was without the German assistance, an exchange of
which, after all, really promotes harmony and
not to be drawn.
At a later sitting of the House Mr. Crean moved good feeling as well as being interesting and in-
an amendment providing that a man could only structive. Give protection by all means, but de-
be arrested if he had been previously convicted liver us from too conservative a policy. To my
of selling pirated music. After considerable dis- mind such a course, if carried out, would pro-
cussion the amendment was rejected by 151 to 50. voke a sufficient feeling of hostility among for-
This concluded the report stage. In the trade it eigners, calculated to produce more harm to Ger-
is confidently anticipated that the bill will finally man trade interests than the publication of tech-
nical matter. The German Government must
pass this session.
have certainly attached a special, if not doubtful,
"compliment-monger" to their trade staff, who
British Composers.
The Society of British Composers has issued evidently when dishing up warnings has a happy
its year book. In its preface I read a plaintive knack of overlooking the fact that it is the Ger-
wail respecting the neglect of British composers, mans themselves who are the chief offenders in
and to remedy this deplorable condition the so- appropriating other people's brain products. At
ciety has been founded. Whether or not their any rate, next time our German friend wishes
position is deplorable is more a matter of opin- to issue warnings it is to be hoped that he will
ion, but certain it is that whatever grounds there display a little more caution and refrain from
are for complaint rests upon themselves to a large even suggesting that no other country can pro-
extent. Looking back, T doubt if British music duce such ideal goods as Germany.
has ever been so well encouraged as now, al-
though perhaps there is room for improvement,
LOESER & CO.'S PUBLICITY.
as there is in all things.
In the Sun last Sunday Frederick Loeser & Co.
The Music Criticising Duke—Annual Prizes.
devoted a large space to their piano department,
The annual gathering of academy students at calling attention to a number of used pianos
the Queen's Hall on July 20 was the occasion of taken in exchange. Among the pianos men-
much that at any rate was not included in the tioned were many leading makes. A line worthy
official programme. The cock-a-doodle-doo given o( note is as follows:
forth by one of the students caused all eyes to
"As all pianos on our floor are priced on a
look upon the delinquent with scorn. Not receiv- cash basis (fictitious values being eliminated),
ing satisfaction in that quarter a general rush interest at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum
was made for tue programmes, but the "call" was will be charged on deferred payments."
not listed. When, however, the solemn counte-
The foregoing sentence is well worthy of the
nance of the principal, Sir Alexander Mackenzie,
title, "Good Advertising," for it inspires confi-
relaxed into smiles, the audience immediately fol-
dence in the buyer and does not permit of any
lowed his example by indulging in the usual ex-
misunderstanding regarding terms and the con-
pressions of approval on a more gigantic scale.
sequent ill feeling.
Ail this, of course, took place before the duke's
arrival. In the course of his speech Sir Alex-
J. D. WESTER MAKING A RECORD.
ander spoke of the promising advance made dur-
J. D/Wester, the piano dealer of Atlanta, Ga.,
ing the past year, and the continued endeavor
of the institution to keep pace with the rapidity sold over 120 pianos in three weeks, and conse-
of the movements and tendencies of the times. quently has been forced to visit the factories and
Referring to certain selections played by the place rush orders in order to have a good-sized
thirty violinists present, Sir Alexander thought stock when he opens his new store in September.
it was sufficient evidence of the academy's ability At present Mr. Wester handles the A. B. Chase,
to meet some of the requirements of that amazing Kranich & Bach, Kimball, McPhail, Kurtzman,
technique that is one of the distinctive qualities Emerson, Hoffman, Newby and Evans, Steger &
Sons and other makes, and intends to add new
of the youngest generation of musicians.
lines in a very short time.
The Duke of Connaught, one of the institution's
patrons, distributed the prizes. Responding to
SCHUBERT SELLS TO JOHNSON.
the vote of thanks, his royal highness said he
was much struck by the playing of the thirty
The Schubert Piano Co., who have been con-
violins, and referring to Mr. Hulbert Bath's, one ducting a store on East Long street, Columbus,
of the academy students, composition, "Orpheus Ohio, have sold out their entire stock to J.
and the Sirens," said he thought it a very charm- Ellery Johnson, of East State street.