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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the instrument was found in no way injured.
On coming into the warmer temperature indoors
the frost worked out of the instrument until it
was soon covered with snow, both woodwork
and iron. I quite expected, therefore, to find
Business Conditions Unsettled—With Whom Does the Responsibility Rest—Karn & Co. Activity
some strings breaking during the process of
—Why American Pianos do Not Sell Abroad—Bechstein's Big Piano Trade in England—
thawing out or at least that some notes would
^ Some Late Publications—Interesting Letter from Siberia—Lipp Piano in Concert—Lecture
be seriously out of tune. What was my great
on the Piano—Piano Prices Go Up Owing to Increased Cost of Supplies—Buying Pianos for surprise, therefore, after being in the house but
London Schools—Chase & Baker Action forGerman Piano—The New St. James Hall—Auto-
four hours to find the instrument in excellent
piano Activity—The News of the Month in Detail.
tune. It seemed incredible, but such was the fact.
I played the instrument all the afternoon and
(Special to The Keviow.)
their pianos in a smaller make at a price that most of the evening. It is a splendid instru-
Review Office, 69 Basinghall Street, E. C,
will compare favorably in competition. The Eng- ment in every way. It was well packed and
London, Eng., Feb. 28, 1907. lish market is flooded with all sorts of German
lined in a zinc case, which the custom authori-
I was in conversation recently with the head instruments—a few good, the majority unre-
ties at St. Petersburg had cut through. Despite
of one of the largest piano and player houses in liable. The fact remains, however, that in Eng-
this fact, neither moisture nor extreme cold tem-
London, when the statement was made to me land the Germans are gaining ground fast, both
perature had in any way affected the instrument
that the season was over! He said: "This sea- both in high class and cheap models. Labor con-
when thawed out. I should not have believed
son with us has not been so good as last, and ditions on the low wage basis perhaps chiefly ac-
such an occurrence possible, but such, I am
my travelers report a great dearth of business. count for this; but my point is that although the
pleased to report, is happily the case."
Dealers for some reason or another are sitting Germans have a certain pull in one or two direc-
Music Versus Football.
on the fence, orders are being held back—out- tions, American manufacturers would find good
Among the reasons announced for abandoning
side the average call—and I am forced to con- opportunities for marketing only first-class qual-
sider the season is almost at an end!" Now, ity instruments in England under the above the performances of "The Messiah" at Norwich,
just imagine that, and from a reputable firm, too! status. Sufficient attention has not been paid to which has been carried on for the past twenty-
1 wonder why? Does the responsibility for this the many conditions prevailing in this field, and six years, is the strong counter-attraction of-
deplorable condition rest with the guiding hand in future American prospectors would do well to fered by football. Funny, eh?
of this particular firm's destiny, or are their make a more detailed survey before launching
Artistic Possibilities of the Piano.
travelers asleep, as the reason is certainly not out to any very great extent.
The artistic possibilities of the modern piano
to be found in the goods, which are undoubtedly
Bechstein Sold 4,000 Pianos in England Last formed the theme of W. Dale's recent lecture be-
of high quality? After the rush preceding Christ-
fore the Society of Arts. He deplored that,
Year.
mas, there is a few weeks' slackness in most
thanks to the tension of the strings and the ne-
Bechstein's,
in
Wigmore
street,
are
very
busy
trades; but the voice of this industry is now
cessity for using iron bars and framing, the ele-
executing
the
constant
stream
of
orders
that
find
heard once again proclaiming activity of no mean
gant proportions of the old harpsicords and
a
safe
haven
in
their
huge
show
rooms.
Sup-
strength, yet here is a gentleman that absolute-
spinets had vanished. Modern attempts to treat
plies
from
the
German
factory
still
fall
far
ly refuses to obey the call to arms. He must
the
"cottage" piano aesthetically seemed to result
come out of his shell and seek the business; short of completeness, especially in short grands, in producing an instrument more bizarre than
which
are
enormously
in
demand
in
England.
In
must wake up his travelers, must go on to the
artistic. The dazzling surface of French polish
death with that catalogue scheme, must continue company with the manager I went through the was not beautiful, but the belief that it is would
showrooms.
The
many
gaps
between
the
instru-
his follow-up circulars, or else that feeling of
die hard. He suggested unpolished carving, quiet
pessimism that has laid such a hold upon him, ments told their own tale. Even the saloon inlays of wood, strap hinges of brasswork, and
stocks
had
to
be
drawn
upon
to
fulfil
certain
or-
will extend to other members of the firm, with
painted panels as some slight relief to the stere-
the inevitable result! Whatever the reason, ders! During last year this firm alone sold over otyped piano of the average house.
whatever the condition may be, certain it is that 4,000 instruments in this country, and expect to
Young Ovender Plays the Lipp Piano.
pessimism is no business asset. Cultivate it as sell more in 1907, as the demand already shows
Richard Lipp & Son, makers of .the celebrated
much as you like when the rate collector calls, a proportionate increase. The Bechstein Hall is
but avoid pessimism in commercial life. The booked for almost every afternoon and evening Lipp pianos, have now their line of supplies in
strenuous active competition in all trade cir- to the end of the season. All the leading piano- better working order. The German strike is
cles to-day is such that those who cry out, in- forte players have given recitals with unvarying over, and Christmas time was rather an anx-
stead of seeking the source of any trouble that success, and there are still some splendid recitals ious time for the London house, seeing that the
strike of their factory workmen delayed the out-
may arise, and doing their level best to remedy to be given during the next few weeks.
put
of productions then in hand to a considerable
it, must sooner or later make way for the enter-
J. & J. Hopkinson Report Progress.
prising man with new and astute ideas, who will
"Conditions seem quiet everywhere," said the extent. Chatting with Mr. Willeringhaus, the
personally guide the reins of his commercial manager of J. & J. Hopkinson's. "It is so with London manager, I learned that mediaeval models
progress. No; this is not the time for armchair us. I cannot give any specific reasons, but the are at present in vogue again, and they are spe-
logic. We are not by any means out of the sea- public is not quite so free with its money as one
son, as there are several good business months would wish. The new model recently introduced
DISTINCTIVELY HIGH GRADE"
ahead, that the pushful manufacturer, in con- has won much appreciation from dealers, and is
junction with his publicity schemes and travel- selling best of all just now.
ers, will reap a good harvest from.
Asherberg, Hopwood &. Crew Productions.
The Asherberg, Hopwood & Crew Corporation
The Karn Co. Can't Get Enough Pianos.
report splendid business. Charles Lederer, musi-
The D. W. Karn Co. report business as good, cal editor, is incessantly engaged in supervising
but they are still in the old, unhappy position oc- new productions worthy of issue, among the
casioned by the lack of supplies. In conversation most recent being a particularly pleasing series
with The Review, Manager Heath said: "The of standard songs (Italian and English words)
delay in executing orders chiefly arose from the by old masters for students, and others compris-
dearth of competent workmen over across the ing "The Willow Song," music by C. Paston-
herring pond. The factory facilities are good Cooper; "The Fall of the Dew," by Gerald Lane;
enough to cope with the orders if only we can also a pretty waltz, "La Plus Ravissaute," by
get the requisite skilled assistance to keep the Glacomo Marchisio; "The Happy Valley," by
plant going." My informant went on to say that Basil Althaus, and "Une legende," for violin and
it would probably be decided to discontinue pianoforte, by Joseph Holbrooke. These are just
manufacturing their cheaper style pianos for the a few selections from many of their issues that
English market, as to give a reliable instrument are sure of a good reception.
on such terms left them practically no profit at
An English Piano for Siberia.
all.
A copy of an intensely interesting communica-
Some Pointers for American Manufacturers.
tion from H. E. West, of Spassky Zavod, Akmo-
American pianos, broadly speaking, are far and linsk, Siberia, dated January 8, 1907, was recent-
is the greatest success of the day.
away too expensive for the English trade, and ly received by Messrs. J. B. Cramer & Co., Ltd.,
It possesses a scale of rare even-
another drawback is the size. The heavy ap- of 126 Oxford street, London, in which he says:
ness, a tone of remarkable sonority
pearance of most Yankee makes is quite suf- "Gentlemen—In reply to yours of December 6,
and richness, with a quality that
ficient to kill their charms in other respects, 1906, I am very pleased to advise you of the safe
is highly orchestral. Our latest
from our point of view. The British public de- arrival of your 'specially prepared Pianette' here
styles of Grands and Uprights
mand the smallest possible size, and has a deep- yesterday morning. This piano was brought
mark a decided advance in the art
rooted objection to any instruments a little over here on sleighs over 500 miles from the Siberian
of piano-making. We court inves-
the standard height. The prejudice exists all railroad, exposed for many days and nights to
tigation. Some territory still open.
over the country, and it therefore but remains temperatures considerably below zero. It arrived
CHRISTMAN SONS, Manufacturer.
for American manufacturers to seriously con- in perfect condition as far as the packing was
VACTORT AND OFFICE:
WAREROOMS:
sider this, and, if they want to do any trade of concerned, and although the piano had to be 869.873 Efcat 137th St.
35 Weit 14th St.
NEW
YORK
magnitude, embody all the good qualities of
taken from the case outside at zero temperature,
GAe CHRISTMAN
STUDIO GRAND