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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TELHARMONIC DEMONSTRATION.
The Wonderful Machine Invented by Dr. Ca-
hill Is Operated for Distinguished Guests—
Music Can be Sent Over Telephones—An In-
terested Audience Pleased.
In the basement of Telharmonic Hall, a t
Broadway and Thirty-ninth street, where 145
dynamos boomed with the roar of a boiler fac-
tory, there was "mixed" Friday afternoon a mu-
sical potpourri which delighted an audience of
New Yorkers prominently identified with music,
the drama, art and literature.
They were assembled on the floor above the
dynamos. There from a hanging basket of ferns
and vines poured the tender strains of Mendels-
sohn's "Spring Song," sonorous passages from
"William Tell," and the syncopations of the latest
Broadway "rag."
It was a public demonstration of Dr. Thad-
deus Cahill's invention, the telharmonium. Au-
diences in rooms in the Hotel Imperial and the
Cafe Martin, which had been "wired," enjoyed
simultaneously the programme being given in
Telharmonic Hall. Every home in Greater New
York provided witn a telephone could have heard
the concert.
Scientists of worldwide fame have applauded
Dr. Cahill's invention. They say that his range
of musical possibilities is practically unlimited.
Broadway and Fifth avenue from Twenty-third to
Forty-second street, have been "wired," so that
hotels and homes located there can be connected
with the melody-making machinery of the 145
dynamos.
Briefly described, the telharmonium is a de-
vice which has under its control electrical vibra-
tions. Each vibration produces a tone. For ex-
ample, 250 vibrations produce "C" of the musical
scale. Each key on the board of the telharmo-
nium controls dynamos, which generate, not the
musical note itself, but the exact number of elec-
trical vibrations necessary to produce that note.
The telephone receiver can be concealed under
the table, behind a picture or wherever desired,
and when "central" makes the connection, the
home will be flooded with music. The tonal
qualities of the flute, violin, 'cello, clarionet, or-
gan and other instruments are obtained by "mix-
ing" the electric vibrations. Thus, the instru-
ment can produce the effects of an orchestra of
a hundred or more pieces.
•The audiences were mystified by the demons
strations until they had inspected the plant and
viewed its workings, and then they were mysti-
fied still. A tune was "played" on an ordinary
arc light. Another interesting demonstration
consisted in connecting an ordinary incandescent
bulb with the telharmonium. While a selec-
tion was being rendered the light grew dim or
flared up brilliantly according to the electrical
vibrations utilized in producing the desired
tones.
Those of the audienee who believed that the
musical tones emanated from the telharmonium
itself were disillusioned when the "receiver" was
hung up. There was then only a slight clicking
as the operator's hands traversed the keys. The
audiences in the Imperial Hotel and the Cafe
Martin continued to hear the music, however, be-
cause they were not "cut off."
The company prefers to lay its own cables
through the streets of New York, instead of using
the wires of the telephone company, on account
of the interruptions to which the latter are sub-
ject. When these cables are laid, any one
willing to pay can enjoy the advantages of the
telharmonium. Thus will be brought about, it
is claimed, a democracy of music. Towns, vil-
lages and farmhouses may be connected. With
the present equipment, music can be transmitted
from the Broadway headquarters as far as Chi-
cago.
Dr. Cahill devoted twelve years of his life to
the invention. He was encouraged by George
Westinghouse and Lord Kelvin. Among the
guests at the opening concert were Spencer
Trask, George Foster Peabody, Robert C. Ogden,
Walter Damrosch, Victor Herbert, Mr. and Mrs.
Clarence Mackay, Clyde Fitch, Mr. and Mrs.
Cooper Hewitt, Col. Clowry, Dr. John Woodman,
Herman Westinghouse, G. Schirmer, Mr. and
Mrs. R. W. Pope, Mrs. Reginald DeKoven and
David Munro.
Import Trade in Musical Instruments Shows
Larger—Player
Shipments
Make
Fine
Increase—Exports for the Month, Also Much
Record—The Figures in Detail Furnish Some
Interesting Particulars to Our Readers.
(Special to The Hevlew.)
Washington, D. C, January 14, 1907.
The summary of exports and imports of the
commerce of the United States for the month of
November, 1906, the latest period for which it
has been compiled, has just been issued by the
Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Com-
merce and Labor. The figures relating to musi-
cal mercandise, including pianos, organs, piano
players and miscellaneous "small goods" in the
CHAS. H. STEINWAY HONORED.
musical field are as follows:
The dutiable imports of musical instruments
Appointed by Governor Hughes to Represent
during November amounted to $103,613, as com-
New York State at the Convention to Pro-
pared with $97,625 worth which were imported
mote Foreign Commerce.
tne same month of 1905. The eleven months'
Among the appointments made by Governor total, ending November, shows importations val-
Hughes this week to represent the State of New ued at $1,242,823, as against $1,131,212 worth of
York at the convention to promote foreign com- musical instruments imported during the same
merce just opened in Washington, was Charles period of 1905. This gives an increase in im-
H. Steinway, president of Steinway & Sons, New ports for the eleven months ending November of
York. His associates form the leading men from $111,611.
the principal industries in the Empire State. In
The import figures for the eleven months'
selecting Mr. Steinway Governor Hughes is to period for the three years are as follows: 1904,
be congratulated.
$1,137,548; 1905, $1,131,212; 1906, $1,242,823.
The total domestic exports of musical instru-
ments for November, 1906, amounted to $312,738,'
as compared with $283,516 for the same month
Estey Organ Co. Secure the Contract for Sup-
of the previous year. The eleven months' expor-
plying Expensive Double Organ.
tation of musical instruments amounted to $2,-
853,471, as against $2,862,037 for the same period
The Estey Organ Co., of Brattleboro, Vt, have
in 1905. This shows a decrease in exports for
contracted for the erection of a magnificent
the eleven months ending November of $8,566.
double electric organ in the Benedictine Abbey,
The export figures for the eleven months'
Saint Meinard, which is located in South Indi-
period for the three years are as follows: 1904,
ana. The plans drawn for the instrument call
$2,779,942; 1905, $2,862,037; 1906, $2,853,471.
for a double organ, one over the vestibule in the
Of the aggregate exportations in November
large western gallery, and a complete sanctuary
there were 1,320 organs, valued at $97,946, as
organ 100 feet distant in the north transept.
compared with 1,356 organs in 1905, valued at
This will be one of the finest organs turned out
$88,034. The eleven months' total shows that we
from the Estey establishment, and the fact that
exported 11,839 organs, valued at $817,113, as
the contract has been placed with them by the
against 11,098 organs, valued at $761,543, for the
Benedictine order is a compliment of which they
same period in 1905, and 12,170, valued at $871,-
can justly feel proud.
116, for the same period in 1904.
In November, 1906, we exported 428 pianos,
KRANICH & BACH IN BOSTON.
valued at $105,362, as against 248 pianos, valued
George H. Champlin & Co., of Boston, Mass., at $59,981 in November, 1905. The eleven
have secured the representation of the Kranich months' total exports show 2,863 pianos, valued
& Bach piano, which will be brought to the atten- at $6/0,448, as compared with 2,301, valued at
tion of the Boston public in a first-class manner. $527,452 exported in the same period in 1905,
and 1,838, valued at $391,002, for the same period
in 1904.
WEBER PIANO HEARD IN OPERA.
Of the aggregate exportations in November
In the second act of the grand opera "Fedora," there were 160 piano players, valued at $31,622.
which has been produced with great success at For the eleven months' period, 2,736 of these in-
the Metropolitan Opera House, the Weber piano struments, valued at $564,784, were sent abroad.
The value of "all other instruments and parts
is used. The scene calls for the appearance of
a pianist to entertain the singers, and the Weber thereof" sent abroad during November, 1906,
is played by M. Voghera, the assistant conductor, amounted to $77,808; in the same month of 1905
a first-class pianist, who displays the beauty of the value was estimated at $77,365.
The total exports for the eleven months under
the W T eber tones to great advantage and in a
mis heading foot up $801,126, as against $759,180
rather unique environment.
exported during the same period of 1905, and
A BUSINESS OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
$824,077 exported during the same period in
1904. This shows an increase of $41,946.
W. R. Frederick, who operates twelve stores,
At a recent "closing out at manufacturer's cost"
with headquarters at Pittsburg, transacted a busi-
ness during 1906 which totaled in value $1,000,- sale by Steger's Music House, 191 Third street,
000. This is a marked increase over his busi- Milwaukee, Wis., fourteen pianos were sold in
one day, the sales amounting to $2,958. It is
ness during 1905.
to be a bona-flde closing out sale, as the concern
It doesn't take a boaster long to develop into will discontinue business as soon as their stock
is sold.
a liar.
ORGAN FOR BENEDICTINE ABBEY.
THE
ERNEST A.
OUR EXPORT ANDJMPORT TRADE.
TONK
PIANO
E XTRAORDINARY
DURABILITY
A RTISTICDE S I G N
HTOUCH LIGHT AND
1
RESPONSIVE
Correspondence with active
dealers solicited.
William Tonk & Bro.
INCORPORATED
452-456 Tinth Avi., Niw York