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THE MUSIC TRADE
THE
flUJIC TIRADE
PUBLISHED BY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LYMAN BILL
(C. L. BILL, Executrix.)
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staffs
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, CARLETON CHACE, [.. M. ROBINSON, WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
WM. BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), A. J. JNICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
BOSTON OFFICE t
IOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St
Telephone, Main 6950.
CHICAGO OFFICE i
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN^ Consumers* Building,
220 So. State Street. Telephone, Wabash 5774.
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate.
LONDON, ENGLAND! 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
SERVICE IS SUPPLIED W E E K L Y BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
W ,
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
REVIEW
be considered that having gained entrance into the field pianos
made in this country have won a strong position through their
excellent qualities. Pianos that stand high in the United States,
such as the Steinway, Chickering and Knabe, are becoming well-
known in Australia and New Zealand, despite the duty of thirty
per cent, and the extremely high freight rates at present existing.
The Australasian demands certain qualities in his pianos,
such as a soft instead of a brilliant tone, that can be readily sup-
plied by those who are really anxious to secure a permanent foot-
ing in that market. The report, as a whole, is one of the most
exhaustive and interesting that has been sent out by the Govern-
ment for some time and should at least serve to give American
manufacturers something real to think about in building up a
substantial and permanent export trade.
HE activity in musical circles in New York this season is
T
unprecedented. Recitals and concerts in which the piano has
figured in a more prominent way than ever before have so
crowded both Carnegie and Aeolian halls that they have proven
inadequate to the demand, and a number of theatres have been
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
called into use within the past four weeks, while recitals and
concerts are also being given in our leading hotels.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
An idea of the activity which prevails may be gleaned from
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
the
fact
that during the past week twenty-six events were given
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. Utt quarterly or
within seven days in New. York—the greatest number in that
vearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $no.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to the Estate of
period ever given in the musical history of the city. This makes
Edward Lyman Bill.
__
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
an average of about four concerts or recitals each day.
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
y
Not only in New York, but throughout the country there
Technical Departments. S ^ t
'ffi r !?£L^^
has been a gradual increase in concerts and musical affairs gen-
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
erally, all going to show that the American people are becoming
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
^^^^^__^^__
more musical all the time—a fact of interest to piano dealers
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
who must be benefited ultimately by this increased interest in
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal.. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma. ...Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposmon, 1904
music.
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
X.ONO DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS
5982—5983 MABISOM" SQ.
1
Tn discussing the increased development of musical taste
Connecting all Departments
Cable address: "Elblll, New York."
now existing the critics have evidently overlooked one vital
factor in bringing about this condition, and that is the increasing
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 1 1 , 1916
use of the player-piano and the talking machine in the homes.
It cannot be denied, despite the criticism of these instruments
on the part of some of the musical fraternity, that they have
EDITORIAL =
greatly increased the knowledge of and interest in music—not
entirely music of the popular order, but music that endures.
ITH the national campaign out of the way, and the great
While it is true that people abuse these instruments, yet a
issue for the selection of a President finally decided, we
great majority of people are discriminating, and they appreciate
can now look forward to business advance without interruption— the importance of having music in the home that is of the best.
although it must be admitted that the campaign now closed has
This has undoubtedly broadened the musical vision of an army
had but little effect in retarding business progress as in other
of people, many of whom hitherto have been unable to appreciate
good music, and it has aroused a desire to hear in person the
years.
various artists whom they may have heard in the home through
Conditions in the piano trade, as in other industries, afford
evidence of expansion on every hand. The great trouble at the the talking machine, or player-piano.
It is our belief that nothing has proven a bigger factor in
present time is to get sufficient supplies to meet requirements.
A great many manufacturers may be unable to deliver goods bringing about the demand for concerts and recitals this season
than these instruments. They have proven educational factors
around the holidays, owing to the present trend of the demand.
of tremendous importance. They are becoming stimulators of
All are working with the object of looking after their customers
to the best possible extent. Those dealers who were wise enough musical knowledge and—although a great many music teachers
will not admit it—are increasing a desire for music in the home,
to place orders early will undoubtedly receive the greatest con-
not merely by automatic means, but in the desire to express
sideration.
one's own emotions through the use of the keyboard of the
During the past four months The Review has repeatedly
instrument.
emphasized the need of dealers getting in touch with manufac-
turers with promptitude. Conditions are abnormal this year,
ITH the upwara trend in the cost of everything that enters
and the manufacturers, owing to the supply conditions, cannot,
into the construction of musical instruments two questions
as in other years, meet the demands under pressure. It is not
come to mind: First, "Should piano prices be raised?" and next.
yet too late for dealers to get busy—to study their requirements
"Can piano prices be raised?" Both questions demand affirmative
and place orders. The sooner the better.
answers.
Prices should be raised because of the increased manufac-
HE facts and figures regarding the "musical instrument in-
t u r i n g costs in labor, hardwoods, varnish, tuning pins, wire, ac-
dustry in Australasia compiled by Consul General J. I. Brit-
tions—in fact in supplies of all kinds. These increased costs com-
tain of Sydney and other consular officers, which appeared in
pel an increase in wholesale prices to check the leaning toward in-
The Review last week, are of more than passing interest to
solvency which the maintainance of old prices under a continually
American piano manufacturers at this time owing to the closer
business relations that have been developed since the war be- and rapidly increasing cost of production must inevitably cause.
Prices of today cannot be measured by what it cost to build a
tween the Australian music trade and the manufacturers of this
piano
five years ago. Today's cost of production can only in
country. The consuls frankly state that the prospects for Ameri-
safety
be measured by today's cost of manufacture. That is
can pianos in Australia, New Zealand and other places are
why
the
manufacturer knows prices must be raised to prevent
very good and are constantly improving.
actual
loss
of money.
The shutting off of the German market has had much to do
Moreover, prices can be raised. The best proof that piano
with this demand for American products, but the fact is also to
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