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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
"But it will take a long time, even if they con-
tinue a t the present state of business—the de-
mand for songs that hitherto had hardly any
sale at all has led us to rejoice," said Mr. Good-
man. The best sellers just now are songs of a
light vein, suitable for pantomimes, and songs
by standard composers. Themusical production,
"Robin Hood," is meeting with great success, a
special performance of which recently took place
before the King and Queen, by command.
Manager Billinghurst, of John Brinsmead & Sans Discusses t h * One Price System—Chas. H.
Wagener, of the Apollo Co. Says That English Trade Lacks the Tone and Inherent Push-
fulness Prevailing in American Circles—Has Some Good Words to Say for the American
Piano—The Apollo Grows in Favor—French Government Imposes a Tax of 8 Shillings on
Uprights and 16 Shillings on Grand Pianos per Annum—Prevalence of Influenza Plays
Havoc With Musical Functions—Change in Song Publishing Trade Since the Piracy Act
Brinsmead & Son's New Studios.
Went Into Force—Mr. Goodman, of Chappell & Co., Has to Say—Change in International
Messrs. Brinsmead & Sons have recently opened
Postage—Revising Prices of Music—Strike of Piano Workers in Germany Cause an In- up a fine block in Wigmore street as studios.
crease in Piano Prices—Richard Strauss Blackballed by Fellow Musicians—Ivory* Prices The building is on the most approved plan, and
Go Up—Legislation Against Tips—Other Items of General Trade Interest.
is beautifully furnished throughout. The rooms
(Special to The Review.)
69 Basinghall Street, E. C,
London, Bng., Dec. 22, 1906.
The question of the one-price system that occu-
pies BO much attention in the States just now,
has called forth an expression of opinion from
one of our leading pianoforte manufacturers,
namely, Messrs. John Brinsmead & Sons. Man-
ager Billinghurst, in conversation with The Re-
view, said that he had long advocated fixing the
selling price on the basis of one fixed discount,
that under no circumstances should be departed
from. "Even though we stand alone," said Mr.
Billinghurst, "I am determined to protect the
interests of our bona fide dealers who make some
efforts to support us in this matter in times of
temptation. Back of our productions is quality,
and dealers recognize this when tempted to push
a line that may put more money in their pockets
for the moment, but would never produce another
sale. It is obvious therefore that in their own
interests they will sell only the pianos that bring
recommendation and further custom. As an in-
stance of the backing we give our dealer friends,
I may say," continued Mr. Billinghurst, "that I
have refused to supply the large stores at whole-
sale rates, simply because they expect certain
preferential treatment over and above the usual
pianoforte trade terms. In consequence of this
policy we have naturally lost much business, but
in other quarters our strong stand on the one-
price has brought as much material benefit that
more than counterbalances our loss."
While other manufacturers have admired, and
some even gone so far as to personally express
their warm approval of Messrs. John Brinsmead's
action, they have not seen their way to form
any combination to further this policy. It should,
however, receive the immediate and undivided
attention of manufacturers, as the present inse-
cure conditions tend but to greater evils than at
present. Mr. Billinghurst will no doubt have
more to say upon the matter from time to time;
meanwhile, his splendid example will at any rate
be the admiration of all those who have the
trade's interest at heart.
a tax of eight shillings per annum on upright
and sixteen shillings per annum on grands, as
well as a tax of £4 per year on all kinds of hand
organs. As there are some 500,000 pianos in
Fiance, the tax is expected to produce over
£250,000 annually.
"Musetta" Line of Players.
The "Musetta" piano player and player-piano
are the latest of their kind to come to the front.
Little was known of these instruments outside
of the trade, but Messrs. Calmont & Co. have re-
cently entered upon some new departures in order
to familiarize the "Musetta" in circles other
than trade. In this respect they are to be com-
plimented upon their foresight in securing and
opening up West End show rooms situated in the
busiest part of Oxford street. Here I found
Manager Newbury willing to respond to a short
demand upon his time. The "Musetta" piano
is manufactured by the well-known firm of A.
Buff Hedinger, Leipzig, and handled in England
by the aforesaid firm, who retail the combined
piano in two grades at 65 and 75 guineas, respec-
tively. "The piano player at 19 guineas is a real
bargain," said Mr. Newbury, "and it is one of the
cheapest on the market. It combines all the lat-
est improvements, including a pneumatic action
and metal tubes, which it is said give much better
results than India rubber. In order to further
popularize our instruments we give recitals every
afternoon in a room specially adapted for that
purpose, and," continued Mr. Newbury, "I believe
they are productive of good results."
are large and airy, while the surroundings are
of that pleasant nature that makes teaching and
learning a delight.
Death of Mme. Gounod.
Mme. Gounod, the widow of the famous com-
poser, has just died at the age of seventy-eight.
She was a daughter of Zimmerman, at one time
a well-known pianist and composer.
Mme. Melba's American Visit.
Mme. Melba will be leaving for America on
December 22, so that she will be present at the
marriage of her son, George Nebit Armstrong,
to Miss Ruby Oliver. The bridegroom is twenty-
one and the bride seventeen.
Change in International Postage.
Next year an important change in interna-
tional postage will take place, when the Postal
Convention of Rome comes into effect. The post-
age of 2%d. from the United Kingdom to foreign
countries will prepay a letter weighing up to one
ounce instead of half an ounce, as at present, and
the Imperial penny post will cover letters up to
one ounce to any part of the British Empire and
to Egypt. And further, postage of letters to
foreign countries exceeding one ounce will be
reduced to l%d. for each ounce after the first
2y 2 d.
Legislation Against Pirated Music.
In view of the recent legislation against the
sale of pirated music, Messrs. Francis, Day &
Hunter, of Charing Cross Road, point out that
the necessity for selling under price has disap-
peared, and that it is entirely in the hands of
music dealers to revise their prices to the public
Influenza Hurts Musical Recitals.
Influenza is so prevalent just now that it has now, making sixpence net mean sixpence net.
been the cause of several recitals being post- "It is time for publishers of these cheap edi-
poned. The epidemic has played havoc with tions," they add, "to discontinue their self-sacri-
these functions since October. Twenty-five con- ficing policy of dispensing with a fair profit, and
certs have been postponed at the Aeolian Hall, to revise their prices. Accordingly, in concert
mainly through a dispute with a firm of concert with brother publishers of sixpenny popular edi-
agents, although influenza has had as much to tions, they intend on and after January 1, 1907,
do with the temporary abandonments. At the raising their trade rates 50 per cent."
Steinway Hall, Mile. Marie Weisen-Reuter's
The Strike of Piano Workers in Germany.
pianoforte recital was postponed owing to an In connection with the pianoforte strike in
accident to that lady.
Germany, the following circular has recently
The Revolution in Song Publishing Trade.
been issued to traders in England by Messrs.
Chas. H. Wagener's V i r i l e Talk.
Red hot from his recent trip to the States,
When one comes to review what may be termed Lipp & Sohn, of London:
"Dear Sir—You will probably be aware that
Chas. H. Wagener, of the Apollo Co., finds things the revolution in the song trade, since the prac-
much too slow to suit his energetic and bustling tical extinction of piracy, it would appear only we have had difficulties with our workmen in
spirit. He said: "We are doing a fair business fair to the majority of business minds that the Stuttgart. All our men struck on September
all round here; it could be better, but the Eng- time had arrived when high-class compositions 24, and our three factories were at a standstill
lish trade lacks the tone and inherent pushful- ought to be placed on the market at a lower for eleven weeks. On December 10 the men re-
ness of American circles. Sales are slow in figure, but according to Mr. Goodman, of Messrs. sumed work, but we were obliged to accede to
comparison, and productions far less. We main- Chappell & Co., things don't seem to be leaning their demands for increase of wages.
"For this reason, and in consequence also of
tain good prices here, but speaking of the trade in that direction at all, and even if they were,
generally, profits are substantially less than what the public would reap all the advantage. Say, the continued increase in the prices of materials,
is obtained in America for good instruments." for instance, that songs now retailed at 16 pence we are compelled to raise our trade list prices
Mr. Wagener is further of the opinion that the were reduced 50 per cent, in price. Would the of our upright pianos for the first time in the
tone and other qualities of the American piano, increase in sales (if such there should be) make course of 16 years. We do not propose to alter
so far outshine English and German instruments up for the extra time and trouble that would the prices of the grand pianos for the present.
"We enclose herewith a copy of our new trade
that, given the size demanded here, the American have to be devoted to same? Mr. Goodman says
piano could sweep the market. The Apollo pro- "no." Before there is ever any likelihood of a list, dated January, 1907, which cancels all pre-
ductions are distinctly first-class, and they draw reduction in the price of good songs being really vious lists. You will see that the rise in price
constant praise from appreciative customers. beneficial to publishers, the public's musical edu- is not a formidable one, and it barely covers us
These instruments are to be found in alL classes cation must be improved. Of course, a reduction for the extra cost of manufacture.
"Seeing that our agents formerly allowed 25
of society, and they have the honor to be repre- is just the thing to bring about an improvement
sented in his holiness the Pope's private house. in education, but after all, publishers can hardly per cent, to the public off our catalogue, and that
Only a few days ago a further order was received be expected to undertake this, with no profit to we have now bound all our agents to allow only
from the Pope's secretary, who stated at the themselves. Thousands of pounds have been lost 20 per cent., your margin of profit will not be
same time that his holiness had expressed him- t i composers and publishers since the pirates' less now, but even slightly better than it was
self as highly pleased with the instrument pre- arrival, and now that they have practically ceased when you bought from us at the old trade price,
viously supplied by the Apollo Co.
to exist, it can only reasonably be expected that and were allowed 25 per cent.
"All orders received by us on or before De-
French Chamber Taxes Pianos.
the losers are anxious to recuperate themselves;
The French Chamber of Deputies have voted this, Mr. Goodman assures me, they are doing. cember 31, 1906, for immediate delivery, will be