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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
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PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
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tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
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are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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Vol. LXVIII
NEW YORK, MAY 3, 1919
No. 18
MAY
3, 1919
leges to-day had departments devoted to other sciences that were
distinctly industrial in their character, and the question of tone
production and development through the medium of the piano should
be well up on the list of such sciences.
It is gratifying to learn that through the medium of the tech-
nical conferences being held in New York scientists have been
interested in the problems of the piano maker, and that Dr. D. R.
Hodgdon, president of the College of Technology of Newark, N. J.,
who has attended the entire series of the technical conferences here
and shown a deep and practical interest in the problems discussed,
has decided to introduce a course for the study of the production
of tone in pianos at his college.
Up to the present time piano production and improvement have
been regarded in the light of industrial rather than scientific
questions even by the men of the industry. Mr. Morton must be
credited with the correct idea of the scientific importance of piano
making, and the ambition to have it accorded the proper scientific
recognition. If the scientific men of the country can be induced
to take the same view of tone production as has been accepted by
Dr. Hodgdon, then Mr. Morton's hopes will have come true in
a measure at least. It will mean that tone production and improve-
ment will be carried on along correct scientific lines rather than on
a haphazard basis, and if the scientists are accorded the proper
support we may expect to witness a new era in the matter of piano
development in general. The importance of this new attitude, and
the part Mr. Morton has played in bringing it about, cannot be
overlooked.
Incidentally, The Review takes pleasure in referring to a series
of articles on the elements of piano tone and the application of
science to the production thereof, by William Braid White. These
new articles are most timely, and it is to be expected that they will
gain wide recognition. The first of the series is published in The
Review this week.
RADE conditions continue to show a satisfactory trend, not
T only
in the musical instrument domain, but in all productive
lines throughout the country. The situation is admirably summed
up in Dun's Review, which points out that: "Recovery in business,
irregular and checkered, yet nevertheless constant, is again the
EDITORIAL
record of the week. While faith in the future continues more con-
spicuous than satisfaction with immediate conditions, the recent
HE genuine interest of the allied music trades, industrial and
advance in activity is being gradually extended, and the gain should
professional, in the successful floating of the various Govern-
become more sharply defined when existing political and economic
' ment loans was again emphasized in a most emphatic manner at
obstacles are diminished or eliminated. The complex and uncertain
; the rally held at the Metropolitan Opera House on Monday evening
of this week, and which proved such an unqualified success, to say international situation, with its formidable problems pressing for
solution, remains a barrier to that full trade development which
nothing of the response in subscriptions of over $4,500,000 before
seems to be now in process of formation, and divergent views about
.the rally.
prices are still an added cause for hesitation in some of the leading
i
The allied music trade rallies are well known in New York.
industries. Yet commercial reports, with all their variation and
During previous loans they set a new mark and were accepted as
disappointing features, sound a distinct note of optimism, and a
standards for other enterprises of similar character. Although
strikingly favorable element in the remarkably light business mor-
primarily designed to help along patriotically the cause of the
tality, failures in the United States this week, under 100 in number,
Government, it is a matter of pride to record that the rallies like- being the smallest reported for a single week in a great many years."
wise served the twofold purpose of attracting widespread attention
It is now estimated that the trade balance of the United States
to the importance of the music interests, and what those interests
for the fiscal year will pass $3,000,000,000 this month if the nation's
could accomplish.
commerce continues its rapid growth.
The Liberty Loan officials have time and again commented upon
the success of the trade rallies, and it was therefore but natural that
HE movement in several cities of the country to bring about
the last rally of the series should attract widespread attention, and
the establishment, as a permanent memorial to the soldier
with it a capacity audience. The total subscriptions necessary to
heroes
of the world war, not a slab of marble, but an auditorium
secure seats were also distinctly liberal, and the boast at the first
for
the
use of the public and primarily for the spread of music,
meeting of the committee that the quota would soon be oversub-
is
to
be
encouraged most heartily. Such a memorial represents a
scribed was well borne out in fact.
permanent
tribute to the men who have given their lives for democ-
That music has played its part in the war most favorably and
racy—a
tribute
doubly appreciated because it serves a noble and
well is generally recognized, but these rallies of the Liberty Loan
useful
purpose.
The men went into camps, to the sea on ships,
Committees, representing the unselfish and patriotic efforts of those
into
the
trenches
and into battle with music in their hearts, and
who"arranged the details and the artists who participated, have done
what
is
more
appropriate
than that the means for spreading the
more to bring home the importance of music than has ever been
love
of
music
be
made
their
memorial. A memorial of stone, no
accomplished by any other medium. No wonder the Government
matter
how
elaborate,
serves
no definite purpose, beyond that of
regarded the music interests as valuable during the war.
keeping fresh in the minds of the public the debt they owe to the
heroes. An auditorium on the other hand emphasizes that debt
N making the preliminary arrangements for the conferences of
just as strongly and embraces a memorial that is decidedly more
the New York Piano Technicians, Frank E. Morton, acoustic
engineer of the American Steel & Wire Co., declared it was his impressive because it is brought to the minds of the people each
time the auditorium is used. It represents practical patriotism to
ambition to place piano designing and construction among the
a
final degree.
sciences, where they actually belong. He stated that technical col-
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