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THE
V O L . L I I . N o . 1. Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave M New York, January 7,1911
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Recent Knabe Triumphs!
The present musical season in New York will go down in history as one
of the most notable in our history. It marks the production for the first
time in America of two new grand operas, produced under the direct super-
vision of the composers—distinguished musicians hailing from those acknowl-
edged centers of musical progress, Italy and Germany.
We refer to "The Girl of the Golden West," by Giacomo Puccini, and
the fairy opera, "Koenigskinder," by Engelbert Humperdinck, both of which
were recently produced with tremendous success at the Metropolitan Opera
House.
Despite their activities in connection with the production of these operas,
both of these distinguished composers took occasion, during their stay in New
York, to visit the Knabe warerooms at 439 Fifth avenue, where Signor Puc-
cini again complimented Wm. Knabe & Co. in person on the superb musical
qualities of their Mignonette grand, which has won the highest commendations
from others eminent in the musical world, and regarding which he himself
wrote from Milan last June as follows:
C.I ACOMi) PUCCINI.
"Messrs. Wm. Knabe & Co.—I have had the pleasure to prove your piano and I have become very enthusiastic.
"The sweetness of its tone transports the soul and makes one dream of strange worlds where dwell the spirits elect.
"It is incomparable in strength and roundness, and I attest to the grand impression received. With great respect, I salute you.
"GIACOMO PUCCINI."
Indeed, so enthusiastic did he become over this instrument that one of them now bears his autograph on its plate.
Following the composer of "La Boheme," "Mme. Butterfly" and "Tosca" came Engelbert Humperdinck, whose
delightful "Haensel and Gretel" is one of the most popular operas in this country, and who has added materially to his
fame by his latest operatic production. During his visit to Knabe Hall he took occasion to examine and admire the
Knabe pianos generally, but he became especially enthusiastic over the Knabe Mignonette grand. In this connection
he wrote Wm. Knabe & Co. under date of December 17, 1910:
" W m . Knabe & Co.—I am astonished in the highest degree to dis-
cover in the little grand 'Mignonette' of the firm of Wm. Knabe & Co. an
instrument which in fullness, power and sympathy of tone, as well as in the
possibilities of tonal modulation through its action, has no equal; and through
these combined qualities it impresses me as a real wonder of piano construction.
"E.
HUMPERDINCK."
This great tribute to Knabe tone and Knabe construction is
worthy of especial consideration, coming from a master mind like
Humperdinck—a man who was so intimately associated with the
great Richard Wagner, and who is keenly appreciative of tone
values.
The tribute paid the Knabe Mignonette grand by these two
great composers, Puccini and Humperdinck, is something of which
the house of Knabe can feel justly proud. It adds the names of
two men internationally famous to the many notable indorsements
of the Knabe piano by distinguished musicians now on record.
It emphasizes afresh the artistic position won by the Knabe
products as a whole, but especially does it bring out the fact that
in the Knabe Mignonette grand a volume and quality of tone has
been secured in a minimum space that marks this creation as dis-
tinctly individual.
It proves, too, that in the manufacture of the Knabe pianos the
highest ideals are ever kept in mind, and Knabe prestige, at the
opening of the year 191.1, is greater and more fully acknowledged
than ever before in the history of the institution.
ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK.