Music Trade Review

Issue: 1908 Vol. 47 N. 9

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
V O L . X L V I I . N o . 9 . Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Aye., New York, August 29,1908.
WITH THE CHICAGO PUBLISHERS.
Vaudeville Artists Looking for New Songs—•
Summer Parks Make Public Acquainted With
Music—Some of the Popular Selections—
Miller Music Co. Preparing Slides—What
Other Publishers Are Contributing to the
List of Hits—Victor Kremer Co.'s New Pub-
lication.
(Special to The Review.)
Chicago, 111., August 22, 1908.
Chicago at the present time is alive with
vaudeville artists who are looking for songs with
which to feature their acts, and during the fall
season many songs just published will be tried
out. by them.
The summer season has given the city much to
be thankful for in the way of music at the vari-
ous amusement parks, which during the past
couple of years have become so numerous.
People nowadays have no excuse to offer for not
being able to hear good music, as a small 10-
cent piece spent at White City, Rivecview or
the parks will enable anybody to hear such
artists as Liberati, Creatore, Phillipi and others.
Besides regular programs being given, requests
for special pieces to be played are readily grant-
ed, so that one can hear almost any kind of
music he desires.
Requests for music published in Chicago have
been frequent, indeed, and there is scarcely a
band or orchestra in this city that has not been
asked to play "I Wish I Had a Girl" (Thomp-
son); "Come Back, My Sailor Boy" (Miller);
"The Moon Won't Tell on You" (Kremer), and
others.
Nat D. Mann, western manager of Mr. Witmark
& Sons, spent the past week with the company
in New York. He is expected home to-day.
Webb Rockefeller Miller, of the Miller Music
Publishing Co., together with Mr. Phillips, of
the Genre Transparency Co., spent a day in the
country last week taking photos for sets of
slides to be used with "In the Happy Days of
Yore" (which will be put on at the Orpheum
in about two weeks), and "A Castle in Dream-
land for You, Dear." The sittings and situa-
tions were posed by professionl people, and the
photos of the wild country were so beautiful
that Mr. Phillips enthused and said that they
were about the best that he had ever taken,
which, by the way, is saying something.
The run of "A Stubborn Cinderella" (Harris)
at the new Princess Theatre continues unabated
and the music for the popular production is ex-
periencing a large sale.
Miss Clara Kennedy, of the Victor Kremer Co.,
is spending her vacation at Savannah, 111.
"A Broken Idol" (Remick) opens at the Whit-
ney Theater to-night, and from all indications
and the advance sale of seats it promises to
"make good."
"Some Day," the big hit of the Star Music Co.,
is steadily gaining in popularity and promises
to break records for the company.
A song that is highly spoken of by those who
have heard it is "Merry Mary, Marry Me," of
the Modern Music Publishers. This number and
others by the company are being used exten-
sively by professional people in various cities.
Pritzi Scheff will be seen in the "Prima Donna"
at the Studebaker Theater following "The Top
of the World" (Witmark). This high-class musi-
cal production is the joint work of Victor Her-
bert and Henry B'.ossom, and if it comes any-
where near their record-breaking production,
"The Red Mill," it will surely be a winner.
The Victor Kremer Co. are publishing a folio
number, "The Crescent No. 2," for violin, piano
and cornet, which will contain sixteen numbers.
The first of these already out are "The Waltz
Dream," "Love Dream Waltzes" and "Under the
Double Eagle." The arrangements for the band
and orchestra were made by Paul Wezeman.
"My Lolla Loo" and "Some Old Sweet Dream
of You," by B. Dolores Stonecipher, are meeting
with a great demand in the trade, and requests
for them in the music stores are heard re-
peatedly.
N
SING
$?.oS 0 p P ER S tEAR ENTS -
LONDON PUBLISHERS MEET.
At the annual meeting of the London Music
Publishers' Association, held recently at 27 Re-
gent street, S. W., the following gentlemen were
elected officers and committee for the ensuing
year: W. W. A. Elkin, chairman and treas-
urer; W. Hammond, auditor, and the following
committee: Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, Ltd.;
Augener, Ltd.; Boosey & Co., Breitkopf & Haer-
tel, Chappell & Co., Ltd.; Cramer & Co., Ltd.;
Hammond & Co., Hatzfeld & Co., J. H. Larway,
Phillips & Page, Reynolds & Co. and Ricordi
& Co.
"FLUFFY RUFFLES" OPENS IN BUFFALO.
(Special to The Review.)
Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1908.
A crowded house witnessed the first perform-
ance this evening at the Star Theater of the new
musical comedy, "Fluffy Ruffles," by John J.
A. E. WIER ON BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
McNally, music by Jerome D. Kern (published
In the opinion of Albert B. Wier, manager of by T. B. Harms & Francis Day Co.). The
the Most Famous Publishing Co., the season of production was most elaborate, and of twenty-
1908-09 is going to be a good one for the publish- two musical numbers the majority received a
ers. In an interview with our "Man on the generous measure of applause. The comedy will
Street," Mr. Wier said: "I believe the effects of be shortly seen at the Criterion Theater, New
the financial panic are pretty nearly exhausted, York.
and that shortly things will resume a normal
condition. This country is too big and too rich
FOREIGN ROYALTIES FOR SOUSA.
in its natural products and in its manufactur-
John Philip Sousa received the other day a
ing interests to lie prostrate long under any
blow, no matter how severe, and as soon as the check from Paris for $2,900, which sum repre-
holidays are over, the public will begin to buy, sents royalties collected and paid him by the
not only music, but everything else. Personally, French Society of Authors and Composers for
I must say, that in spite of the fact that so many performances of his works in France during
"calamity howlers" have told me during the past. the season 1907-8. Of course, Sousa has made a
few months that I commenced basiness at an un- large fortune at home out of his marches and
propitious time, I have been exceedingly pleased operettas, as well as with his band.
with the sale of my first folio, 'Famous Medleys
"THE SPANISH ONION SONG."
of Famous Songs.'
"Of course, I realize that a great many dealers.
Says that authority on onions, the Cleveland
—personal friends of mine—gave me liberal or-
Plain Dealer:
ders to show their confidence in me, but in many
"How many people would guess the meaning of
cases I have had positive proof that the folio has
a 'Spanish onion song'?
found a place of its own among music collections,
"This strange phrase—one of the many to be
and, moreover, has made good in the fullest sense
found in the professionals' dictionary of slang—
of the word. I shall have to print my second edi-
is used to denote the music hall ballad, and owes
tion of 10,000 copies shortly and abcut half of
its origin to the fact that no self-respecting mem-
this is already taken up for orders to be filled
ber of its race would be without a pathetic refer-
in September.
ence to 'dear old mother' or 'somebody's sweet-
"In about two weeks, I am introducing another
heart far away.' Now, pathos draws tears, and
new folio of entirely different character, which I
so do onions. The rest is obvious."
believe will prove to be a big seller for the reason
While The Review has no authoritative dic-
that it is a better planned collection and is more
tionary on the slang of "Tin-Pan-Alley," it can
value for the money than the retail trade has
bear out the statement of the Plain Dealer that
ever been offered before.
"onion" songs are almost as plentiful as "lemons"
"I ought to ask you to express my appreciation
in the same line. Ask the department stores.
to the trade in general for their hearty support of
my new enterprise and I shall endeavor in every
DEATH OF MR. SOUSA'S MOTHER.
way to promote the sale of the 'Most Famous'
series by putting out real salable collections and
(Speciiil to The Review.)
doing all in my power to keep them out of the
Washington, D. C, August 25, 1908.
hands of those who are ruining the trade by
Mrs. Elizabeth Sousa, mother of John Philip
price-cutting."
Sousa, bandmaster, died of old age at her home
here, after a decline of three months. Relatives
We have received from the York Music Co. a do not know the whereabouts of her son, John
really beautiful number entitled "If Tears Were Philip Sousa, who is at present taking a short
holiday.
Pearls," which will be reviewed later.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
42
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
take a few minutes for meditation. Time and tions of this kind is often thankless and Is
time again The Review has bitterly complained
rarely helpful, for sympathy will invariably
that the average retailer of sheet music makes weigh down hard common sense, when the relief
his music a subsidiary consideration, giving pri- of a man who is down is thrown into the bal-
mary consideration to other commodities. The ance. Only last week a writer for a trade
publisher has therefore sought representation journal, celebrated for his large-heartedness and
where some real attention would be given to his his spirit of fair play, wrote somewhat sharply
EDWARD LYMAN BILL • Editor and Proprietor products. Let the retailer buckle down to his on the subject, denouncing the indigent song
work, stocking those songs on which he can writer in question as being utterly unworthy of
J. B. SP1LLANE, Managing Editor
make a legitimate profit, and he will find that help. While the writer is not prepared to take
J . HAYDEN-CLARENDON, Editor
matters will even up to a remarkable extent. any or either side on the question, the Biblical
The trouble is that in the past he has looked quotation occurs to him, "Let he among you
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
upon* music as "easy money," and now that a who is without sin cast the first stone." Maybe
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage), United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3.50; all other coun-
new Richmond has taken the field, and his the fault is with the starving song writer. The
tries, $4.00.
"snap" has been taken from him by more pro- writer is willing to admit that it is, but when
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 G r a m e r c y
gressive stores, he loudly bewails the bad luck a man is hungry a deal can be forgiven and for-
Connecting all Departments
that ever made him a retail music seller. Maybe gotten. No doubt Mr. Williams will inquire into
NEW YORK, AUGUST 29, 1908 his apathy and laziness had something to do the merits of the case in his own way, and if
with his present condition. Anyhow, the ques- conditions demand relief he will not be influ-
tion is worthy of some thought.
enced one way or the other. Sufflce it to say,
if he decides that help is expedient, he will not
And Still They Come.
appeal to his more prosperous brethren in vain.
The number of new music publishing concerns
which spring up almost daily in our midst would
seem to discount the fact that there is no money FIRST PERFORMANCE OF "ALGERIA."
in exploiting popular songs. Hardly a week goes
Heard at Atlantic City Monday Night With
A casual visit to the various publishing houses by that we do not chronicle the formation of
an Excellent Cast—Orchestrations Released
is all that is necessary to convince the most some new corporation, and happily a number of
Simultaneously With Production—New York
skeptical that an era of optimism has set in the newcomers have met and are meeting with
Will Hear It Monday Night.
which compares strangely with the pessimistic considerable success. And why not? There is
wails which have metaphorically rent the air always room for the newcomer so long as he
(Special to The Review.)
during the past ten months. Interviews with intends to perform his quota for the betterment
Atlantic City, N. J., Aug. 24, 1908.
Julius P. Witmark and Albert E. Wier, which of the trade in general.
A large and enthusiastic audience witnessed
appear in other columns of this section, show
The Milk of Human Kindness.
the first performance of "Algeria," a new comic
conclusively that this optimism is not confined
Whatever may be the faults of the average opera by Glen McDonough and Victor Herbert
to any one branch of the music trade. Every-
one in the publishing world seems to be imbued "popular" song writer, lack of the milk of at the Apollo Theater here to-night. The scenes
with the sentiment, "Go in and win," and with human kindness can. never be charged against are laid in an oasis in the Sahara Desert and in
this uppermost in their minds it is hard to see him. It will be remembered that the precari- a palace near Algiers.
Apropos of the above, Chas. K. Harris, who pub-
how the forthcoming season can be anything ousness of the song writer's existence was treated
but prosperous. After all, times are largely what at some length in this column a week or so lishes the music of this opera, was ready with
back, the case of a once well-known song writer all the musical numbers before the company
we ourselves make them.
now practically starving being incidentally cited opened at Atlantic City. As a result the music
The 10-Cent Store Problem.
That the retail trade are in a receptive mood as a warning to those who aspire to fame was played coincident with its production, Meyer
for any solution to the 10-cent store problem is through the medium of the "popular" song. Cohan giving advance orchestrations to all the
evidenced by the fact that this department has Barely was the ink of this article dry when a orchestras, stipulating that the music was not
lately received numerous letters which, although characteristic and generous letter from Harry to be played until the piece had had its first
widely diversified on several important points, Williams, the well-known writer and president performance.
Maurice Levi's Band, at Atlantic City, has
seem to converge on the fact that the publisher of the Words and Music Club, reached this office,
is alone responsible for the present chaotic con- offering to start a subscription for the song therefore been rendering the selection from
dition of affairs, so far at least as cut-rate prices writer in question, and asking the advice of the "Algeria" all the week, the following numbers
being introduced most successfully: "The Boule
are concerned. To a large extent this is true, writer on the subject.
Miche," "I've Been Decorated," "Rose of the
When a Man Is Down.
but nevertheless if the retailer thinks that he
To be perfectly frank, outside advice on ques- World," "In Jail," "You'll Feel Better Then,"
himself is entirely blameless, then he had better
COMMENTS B Y - „
C
M OUR LATEST ENGLISH
BALLAD SUCCESS
"ROSE IN THE BUD"
Music by
DOROTHY FORSTER
Four Keys, B*>, C, J)b, Eb
CHAPPELL & CO., Ltd.
37 West 17th Street, New York
Writa To-Day for Samples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC GO. WM. McKINLEY, Pres.
1S8 Harrison St., Chicago
74 5th Ave., N. Y.
YES! WE ARE STILL ISSUING NEW FOLIOS
THE LATEST IS
"The Most Popular Selections
FROM THE
Most Popular Operas"
(Arranged for Piano)
" THE MOST COMPLETE OPERATIC
FOLIO EVER PUBLISHED "
Write for Special Introductory Rates
Hinds, Noble & Eldredge, SB ?„
AMALGAMATION
We beg to announce to the trade that the catalogs of the old established houses
T. B. HARMS CO. a n d FRANCIS, DAY & HUNTER
have been amalgamated and will in future be controlled by the T . B . H A R M S & F R A N C I S D A Y CO.
We beg to thank the trade for past favors and trust to be honored with a continuance of your
esteemed support.
••»*«-.•*
The new company has also established connections with the famous German firms of N . SIMROCK,
a n d BOTE & BOCK, o f B e r l i n , to carry a full line of their publications. New price list on application.
T. B. HARMS & FRANCIS DAY CO.
1431-1433 BROADWAY
Costs You 3 Cents
NEW YORK
COME TIME AGO WE
° TOLD YOU
"Just Someoae"
WOULD BE THE BIG
SELLER! THIS PROPH-
ECY HAS COME TRUE.
IF THE DEMAND HAS
NOT REACHED YOU,
IT WILL! ORDER NOW
AND BE PREPARED.
N. WITMARK
SONS
144 West 37th St., NEW YORK CITV

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