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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
states were of no importance In the year under
review, as only in the case of Roumania were
somewhat larger orders received. Italy was still
suffering too much from the effects of the recent
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc., which had
English Market Slow to Recover—Hurts German Trade—The Situation Analyzed—Report of
a most detrimental influence on the number of
Situation in Berlin Piano Trade—Extract from Chamber of Commerce Annual—Regard-
foreign visitors. There were, however, signs of an
ing the Foreign Markets—An Interesting Summary of Conditions in Various Branches
improvement toward the end of the year.
of Musical Industry from the Standpoint of Our German Friends.
Trade in Piano Actions.
The trade in the piano actions kept pace, as
(Special to The Review.)
had thus suddenly arisen could consequently be
Berlin, Germany, May 11, 1910.
only of a temporary nature. On the other hand usual, with the business in pianos. On the whole,
In reviewing the present commercial situation
a permanent reaction was to be expected from the result may be regarded as satisfactory. The
one feature stands out with unpleasant boldness, the general improvement in certain markets, turnover in German-made actions to foreign coun-
namely, the extremely slow recovery of the Eng- such, for instance, as Russia, Australia and Ar- tries is on the increase, in proportion to the ad-
lish market. Only a few weeks ago there were gentina, and also on account of the improvement vance in the sales of pianos. Most foreign man-
ufacturers obtain their accessories from Ger-
signs of a more rapid return to more favorable in the gold mining industry in South Africa.
conditions, but the improvement turned out to
There was little change in the prices of raw many.
be of short duration, and we are now confronted
The Keyboard Trade.
materials as compared with the year 1908. Some
with a revival of disquieting slowness, which is few articles have become cheaper, whereas the
The keyboard trade is also regulated by the de-
having a marked effect on the German piano market in others which are used in large quan- mand for pianos. In the first half of the year the
trade. In some quarters the idea prevails that tities, such as wood, became much firmer toward
number of orders left much to be desired, but
even without a protective tariff England will the end of the year. There was no improvement during the second half the manufacturers were
gradually shake off its dependence on pianos im- in the position of the dealers. Cash transactions vorking full time. Practically no keyboards are
ported from Germany by taking up the manufac- have become the exception. Almost all sales are exported.
ture of good instruments itself. There is cer- closed on the long instalment system. Conse-
The String Instrument Line.
tainly a desire to do this, and it is only a ques- quently, the less substantial dealers are depend-
The string instrument trade moved in about
tion of whether the period of self-communion, ent on the long credit allowed by their suppliers. the same compass as in 1908. Cneap instruments
during which the English manufacturers have Labor conditions were satisfactory.
are not made in Berlin, as it is impossible to en-
been obliged to witness the gradual decay of their
ter into competition with the manufacturers of
Piano Business in Foreign Countries.
own trade and the invasion of foreign goods, has
The following is to be reported about the busi- these instruments in Saxony. On the other hand,
been long and thorough enough to rouse the spirit ness done to the chief foreign markets: As al- there was again a gratifying improvement in the
of enterprise and power of action to such an ex- ready stated, Great Britain was practically a dead manufacture of high-class solo instruments. The
tent that England again becomes capable of hold- letter during the first part of the year dealt demand for instruments at prices ranging from
ing her own in commercial competition. The with in the report. One can safely assert that
600 to 1,200 marks was greater than the manu-
opinion obtains here pretty generally that if
never have orders come in so scantily as during facturers could cope with. It must be borne in
England is to be successful in the struggle, the that time. There was a considerable improve- mind that these instruments cannot be -made
English schools must first be brought up to a ment during the autumn and winter. In spite of
wholesale, but that special and separate work has
higher standard. One thing, however, is certain, this, business with England is on a very un- to be done on each. There is scarcely any ex-
namely, that England has at last awakened to the steady basis, owing to the feeling of uncertainty porting of such instruments done. Whatever
fact that it can accomplish nothing in the mar- as to the commercial policy which will be fol- trade there is to foreign countries consists almost
kets of the world by working in the humdrum lowed by that country. Australia and New Zea- entirely of private orders for instruments intend-
way which has so far been followed, and the land ordered in satisfactory quantities. In spite ed for the purchaser's personal use.
proverb says: "Recognizing a fault is the first of the preference tariff in favor of British goods
The Wind Instrument Trade.
step toward overcoming it."
The wind instrument trade passed through a
and the high rate of duty, German instruments
have preserved their pre-eminence in Australia period of great depression during the first quar-
Prospective Tariff and German Pianos.
It is, of course, Impossible for the English and New Zealand. However, the export to these ter of the year. The second and third quarters
piano trade to become suddenly strong and do countries is threatened from another quarter, brought some improvement, but a relapse set in
serious damage to the German industry, although namely, that German manufacturers are opening during the last quarter. The year 1909 must,
the introduction of a protective tariff would have piano factories on the spot on German principles therefore, be considered a very unfavorable one.
the effect of accelerating this process. Never- and employing German labor. There was an im- Only a few firms were engaged in the delivery of
theless, manufacturers on this side are already piovement in the exports to South Africa during better class instruments to foreign countries. The
beginning to reckon with such possibilities and the year. Although they did not quite reach their chief demand was for low priced instruments. The
to look round in good time for other markets for former level, the prospects for the future are not dissolution of the brass syndicate had a favor-
able influence on the prices of raw materials, as
their goods. Apart from this the revival here unfavorable.
has been progressing steadily and, as far as can
The United States of America was inaccessible it resulted in a slackening of the price for brass.
be foreseen, trade should have again reached its to the German piano trade on account of the There was no disturbance of the relations be-
normal level by the autumn.
high duty. South America, on the whole, is a tveen employers and workmen. This satisfactory
good market for German pianos. In the year state of things is, in great part, attributed to the
Piano Conditions in Berlin.
The Chamber of Commerce in Berlin has just covered by the report the business to Argentina firm union of the employers in the Protective
published its annual report. The same has been was satisfactory. Orders came in briskly and to Society of German Wind Instrument Makers.
Business in Mechanical Instruments.
compiled by a committee appointed for that pur- some extent compensated for the dulness in trade
Business in mechanical instruments was dull.
pose and is based on inquiries made of the vari- to the other markets. The exports to Brazil were
ous manufacturers. The report contains an ex- not so high as to Argentina, but they, never- For certain kinds, which had formerly enjoyed
haustive account of the situation in the piano theless, leave little ground for complaint. The considerable popularity, there was hardly any de-
building industry in Berlin, the most important Brazilian Government has introduced a prefer- mand. The turnover in barrel-organs shows a
center of this trade, and we give below a short ex- ence tariff in favor of instruments manufactured further falling off during the year. Some few
in the United States. In spite of this there was firms, who under-estimated the depressed state of
tract from it:
The piano trade at the end of the year 1908 a good demand for the German article. French the general market and ventured to open up new
was in such a state of depression that a further makes are also gradually losing ground in com- factories for the manufacture of these instru-
weakening seemed to be impossible. Neverthe- petition with the German instruments. In most ments, were soon compelled to abandon their pro-
less, during the first half of the year under re- other parts of South America trade was still bad. jects. But few sales were made of larger organs
view, there was a still further falling off. Almost It is to be feared that those good markets for to shows, cinematograph theaters, etc. There
all the great markets were still suffering from the German pianos, Manila and the Philippines, will was, however, good business in pneumatic orches-
effects of the late crisis, and even though there be practically lost to the German trade as soon trions, although even in this line there was a con-
were signs of improvement in some quarters, as the new tariffs take effect. The sales to Egypt siderable falling off as compared with the excel-
they were not sufficient to counterbalance the loss show some advance, as compared with 1908, but lent results of previous years. In many quarters
occasioned by the almost total cessation of the do not come up to the level of the year previous. this is attributed to the heavy tax which has
export to England. There was scarcely a single On the whole, the exports to Russia were satis- been imposed on automatic machines. The turn-
factory which was not obliged to slow down. It factory. The high Russian duty, which affords over In electric pianos was good. These instru-
was riot until the middle of the year that a gen- such great protection to the home industry, ments are very popular on account of the high
eral revival of trade began to make itself felt. makes it very difficult for German manufacturers state of technical perfection to which they have
However, this revival developed to such an extent to hold their own in that market. The exports been brought. Especially satisfactory was the
that during the second half of the year the en- to Austria-Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Holland, export trade in these instruments. Holland, Bel-
tire piano trade was once more fully occupied and Belgium and Switzerland, were of the usual mod- gium, France, Russia and Italy were all good
.working at full force. Whether this improve- est dimensions. Denmark, Sweden and Norway customers. Prices ruled low on account of the
ment would be permanent was doubtful. In view v.ere responsible for comparatively good orders, competition of the manufacturers among them-
of the setbacks they had experienced during the although the home industry in these countries is selves.
last few years, many dealers had held off with cc nsiderably developed and the heavy import
Condition in Talking Machine Trade.
orders and only placed them when their stocks duty acts as a serious handicap to instruments
The talking machine market, especially so far
were considerably reduced. The demand which of foreign manufacture. Turkey and the Balkan as Germany is concerned, was very unsatisfac-
MUSIC TRADE NEWS FROM GERMANY