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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
AT THE SIGN OF THE BLACK SQUARE.
The Mystery of the Chappell & Co. Trade-Mark
Solved at Last—A Century Old Slogan with
a Meaning—Historical Data Offered.
Some time ago there appeared in the advertising
matter of the house of Chappell & Co., Ltd., a
mysterious solid black square, regarding which
no explanation was forth-
coming from Manager Wal-
ter Eastman. D u r i n g all
these months the guesses as
to the origin and meaning of
the "black square'' have been
numerous without in any way
tending to provide a satisfac-
tory solution of the mystery.
It was suggested that the black mark might
represent a bar sinister, but in so far as it was
observed there was no escutcheon on which it
had been placed—besides which it wasn't a bar.
It couldn't be the black flag of piracy, for their
was no skull and cross-bones, and Chappell &
Co. have been too active fighting pirates to run
any chance of being accused as accomplices,
Surely that black square must mean something
good.
All the evil suggestions had been weighed and
found wanting, so Manager Eastman finally 'fessed
up and admitted that the mysterious mark repre-
sented the modest slogan of the House of Chappell
for 100 years and more, viz.: "Solid and Square."
The explanation was accompanied by a full line
of literature regarding Chappell publications, in-
cluding such numbers as "Little Gray Home in
the West," "A Little Love, a Little Kiss," etc., and
the musical comedies of "Chin-Chin," "To-night's
the Night," and others, with the suggestion that
titles might be woven into an interesting piece of
musical history. Members of the trade who de-
sire such historical data may obtain same in gen-
erous quantities on application to Chappell & Co.
direct.
THE "HUNGARIAN" BAND.
Every Nationality but Hungarian Represented
in Organization Which Is Basis of a Suit.
Amusing evidence regarding the composition of
a band whicli was described as the "Blue Hun-
garian" Band was given in the course of an action
at Sussex Assizes in England recently, when the
Brighton West Pier Co. was suing "John Bull,"
its editor and publishers, for an alleged libel
It seems that the paper had assumed that the
Blue Hungarian body of musicians were, as their
name implied. Hungarians, and owing to this
country being at war with Austria-Hungary, com-
mented on the fact of the employment of such a
band for Brighton concerts. On this account the
McKINLEY SUCCESSES
SONG HITS
One Wonderful Night (You Told Me
You Loved Me)
The Kiss That Made You Mine
Roll Along, Harvest Moon
In the Evening by the Moonlight in Dear
Old Tennessee
I'll Return Mother Darling to You
The Hours I Spent With Thee
They All Sang "Annie Laurie"|
Sing Me the Rosary
In Honolulu by the Sea
I Long to Hear the Old Church Choir
Again
Sue of the Cumberlands
" DANCE SUCCESSES
Original Fox Trot (Klickman)
Daddy Long Legs Hesitation Waltz
Dream Waltz from "Tales of Hoffmann"
One Wonderful Night Hesitation Waltz
Hesitation Waltz (Klickman)
Publishers of the
"FAMOUS McKINLEY TEN CENT MUSIC"
McKINLEY MUSIC CO.
Chicago
New York
West Pier Co. alleged a substantial grievance.
It was stated in evidence that the "Blue Hun-
garians" were made up as follows: Bandmaster,
Dutchman, naturalized Briton, three Englishmen,
three Russians, one Dutchman, one Rumanian,
WHAT MAKES _SONGS "CATCHY."
Medical Journal Declares That Songs That
May Be Sung with Least Effort Prove the
Most Popular and Gives Examples.
Singing is really a breathing exercise. The song
that is closest in harmony with normal breathing
is the easiest to sing. The rate of average com-
uoser's 'breathing is, unconsciously and irresistibly
i effected in his music. His rate of breathing being
that of the average person's, his songs arc bound
to be more popular than those of a composer who is
so skilled in the making of music that he creates
it independently of his lung action.
This in brief, is the interesting theory advanced
by The Hospital, an authentative English medical
publication, to explain why some songs become pop-
ular and others do not, and why particularly what
is called "good music" never has the "catchiness"
desired by the mass of people.
The average person, says The Hospital, breathes
about twenty times a minute. The most popular
song, therefore, will be the one on which the accent
or beat occurs twenty times a minute, or in har-
monious ratio witli that rate—that is ten times a
minute, thirty, etc.
"The English army's song, 'Tipperary,' is a case
in point. It has been asked why it should be more
popular than the fine patriotic song 'Land of Hope
and Glory,' by Elger. The reason is that 'Tipper-
ary' is in agreement with the theory of natural res-
piration and Elger's song is not.
"Sentimental verses,' concludes the article,
"have also a natural breathing quality, and this is
why sentimental songs when joined to respiratory
music are the most 'catchy.' "
EXCERPTS FROMJ*EAL IRISH OPERA.
O'Brien Butler to Present Music of "Muirghelt"
at Aeolian Hall Next Week—Melodies Highly
Praised by Competent Critics.
With the advent of O'Brien Butler for a brief
season in New York, music lovers will have oppor-
tunity at a concert, to be given in Aeolian Hall on
April 1!', to hear some of the old Irish folk music
with \rhicli Mr. Butler's opera of Muirgheis i3
Tilled. The composer of "Muirgheis" (pronounced
as if written Mooresh) is known as the father of
Irish opera. He differs from Mornington, Field,
Cooke, Balfe and Wallace, Irishmen all, in that
they wrote music in the English, German or Italian
styles. They did not write Irish music, for in-
stance, as Grieg wrote Norwegian music. It was
left for O'Brien Butler to attempt that. His inter-
esting experiments after his being saturated by the
folk of his native County of Kerry have won for
•him the title of the Father of Irish Opera.
When "Muirgheis" was first produced in the
Theater Royal, Dublin, it got a very sympathetic
reception. It was then generally conceded that a
development of Jrish music in the direction initiated
by Mr. Butler would be a work of Irish national
importance.
The melodies, according to competent critics, are
of much beauty and freedom and show the com-
poser at his best. They are numerous throughout
Muirgheis. "Rose of the World, She Has Chosen
me." "My Mother Heard a Curlew Cry," "If You
Grow Old,
Hie Night Is in the Black Cloud,"
'The Very Spirit of All Sadness" are the most
highly praised.' The invitation, "Come to the Green
Land," is of winsome beauty and the allegretto
•'Wilt Thou Go With Us Muirgheis?" is alluring.
The touching- Irish caoine is introduced with skil-
ful effect and heightens the Celtic intensity of the
opera.
The Steck Enterprise Music Co. has been opened
at lC6fi Market street, San Francisco, by Stephen
Steck, formerly located, at 40 JTaiglit street, that
city.
NEW REMICK & CO. SUCCESSES.
"I'm On My Way to Dublin Bay" Proving Real
Hit — A New Ballad Number That Shows
Promise—Two Lively Songs.
Remick & Co.'s latest success, "I'm on My Way
to Dublin Bay," is developing in a remarkable
manner even in view of the efforts that have been
put forth in the exploitation of the number. Not
only is the song being featured strongly in the
East but it is also being sung as far West as the
Pacific Coast, where the exposition crowds are be-
ing regaled with the melody. If gauging the suc-
cess of a song lies in the sales totals then "I'm on
My Way to Dublin Bay" has arrived.
In pushing "Dublin Bay," however, Remick &
Co. have not lost sight of a number of songs in
their catalog that show great promise, among them
being "When I Was a Dreamer," by Van Alstyne,
Little and Lewis, a dainty .ballad that has aroused
considerable interest and is being featured by
prominent vaudeville performers.
Other Remick numbers that are being heard
throughout the country are "Everybody Rag with
Me," a lively ragtime ditty by. Gus Kaihn and
Grace LeBoy, and "Wrap Me in a Bundle and
Take Me Home with You," a clever song of an
unusual type by Gus Kahn and Egbert Van Alstyne.
The attractive title pages of the two latter num-
bers are shown herewith.
UNUSUAL BILL TO HELP DEBTOR.
A case in Uniontown, Pa., where a business is
being threatened by bankruptcy proceedings and
consequent liquidation at a loss because of a lack
of ready cash, although otherwise solvent, has
brought about the introduction of a bill" in the
Pennsylvania Legislature which would prevent
such action and leave the estate to be administered
with the interest of the debtor more in view. This
bill reads as follows:
Section 1. Kc it enacted that whenever il shall l>c made
to appear to any Court of Common Pleas of this Common-
wealth that owing to the unusual, stringent or depressed
iinancial condition of the time, other unusual conditions ot
any kind, that any person or persons is or are unable to pay
his, their or its debts and liabilities as the same mature in
the ordinary course of business, and the court is satisfied
that the fair value of the assets, real and personal, of said
debtor largely exceeds the said debts and liabilities, and,
if properly conserved and managed, will pay in full all the
said debts and liabilities, and the said court is further sat-
isfied that there is grave danger that the assets of the
debtor, real and persona), or either, will, in various ways, by
legal process, by power of sale conferred on any one or
more of the creditors, or by any other means, lie sold or
otherwise disposed of at much less than their fair value, or
in other ways be sacrificed, thus causing loss and in-
jury to many, if not all of the said creditors and the debtor,
full jurisdiction and power is hereby given and confirmed
to all of the said Courts of Common Pleas to entertain a
bill or bills in equity, filed by any creditor or creditors of
said debtor, for the conservation, care, sale and management
of all of said assets and the distribution of the proceeds
thereof to and among those legally or equitably entitled
l hereto.
We are the publishers of
THE SONG OF SONGS
(Chanson do coeor brisc)
Music by Moya
Three Keys: Ab, Bb and D
Send 12 Cents for Sample Copy
CHAPPELL & CO., Ltd.
41E. 34th St., NEW YORK
Canadian Branch
347 Yome St., TORONTO