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DECEMBER 20,
1924
THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
New Welte-Mignon Artist Makes Big
Impression at New York Concert Debut
Leff Pouishnoff, Russian Virtuoso, Recording for the Welte-Mignon (Licensee) Library, Makes
Profound Impression on Critics in First American Appearance
CELDOM has a pianist come to these shores
from Europe and achieved such quick and
notable success as that realized by Leff Pouish-
noff, the young Russian piano virtuoso, who
made such a distinct impression upon the serious
music critics of the metropolis that on the
morning following his debut and recital in New
York his playing was the subject of enthusiastic
comment in the reviews.
Pouishnorf came to the United States laden
with laurels won in Europe and Scandinavia
in a remarkably short time. There was not a
discordant note in the chorus of praise with
which the critics of the music centers of the
Old World greeted his performances. We find
the criticism full of such expressions as these:
"Pouishnoff is undoubtedly a phenomenon,"
"Pouishnoff is right in the front rank of the
big men of the keyboard," "A fabulously skil-
ful artist" and "His technique is amazing."
Many of the critics freely and favorably com-
pare him with artists of long-established fame.
Slight of build, modest and retiring, no one
who has not heard Pouishnoff play can suspect
the power that is in him or the fire of his im-
agination. Nor does one get the remarkable
history behind the man himself because of his
habitual reticence. W. C. Heaton, president of
the Auto Pneumatic Action Co., who has taken
a personal interest in Pouishnoff, has eked out
of him a life story that is full of interest.
Pouishnoff comes of an aristocratic Russian
family. The boy's aptitude for music became
evident at an exceedingly early age and when
he was only three years old he showed a marked
inclination to "play with" the household piano.
The Russians are a musical race, and his parents
encouraged his bent for music by permitting his
childish fancy to take liberties with the piano.
When he attained school age he had made him-
self so proficient in playing they permitted him
to appear in public at a neighborhood function.
Pouishnoff himself says that he has always been
glad that his parents did not exploit him as a
child prodigy, but very wisely put him in the
hands of teachers competent to give him a
sound musical education. He was only six then.
At nine he again appeared before the public,
and until he was sixteen he gave a number of
concerts.
Mine. Essipoff-Lcschetizky then accepted him
as a pupil, and the important phase of his mu-
sical career began. She developed his piano
technique, and shortly after he took up in addi-
tion the study of the theory and composition
under the eminent composers Rimsky-Korsakoff
and Glazounoff and also Liadoff. It was in 1910
that he completed his studies at the Petrograd
Conservatorie and was awarded the Gold Medal
of that famous institute of nuu.ic. He also won
the Rubenstein prize, which carried with it $600
for a tour of Europe.
That year he made his first concert tour with
the celebrated violinist, Prof. Leopold Aucr, and
soon after he began giving unassisted concerts
of his own. He played for the first time in Ger-
many in 1911 with marked success. He was
gaining fame in that country after several tours
when the World War broke out. This com-
pelled him to return to Russia, where from 1914
to 1920 he spent most of his time as a professor
of piano in Tiflis Conservatorie, giving oc-
casional concerts.
When the Soviet regime took hold in Russia
his parents were murdered and their property
seized. He himself was away when his par-
ents lost their lives, and came home to find that
he had lost everything. He himself escaped
miraculously, probably because he was a musi-
cian, a class the Bolshevists partially favored.
With the aid of friends he succeeded in getting
to Europe, and then to London, where he ar-
rived penniless. Within the next three years
he established his reputation in England, and
then made several tours through the Scandi-
navian countries. During these years he defi-
nitely established his reputation as a pianist.
Mr. Heaton has made arrangements whereby
Pouishnoff will record for the Welte-Mignon
(Licensee) Library of Records, and the first
of his interpretations will be released at an early
date.
Pittsburgh Dealers All Set
for Active Holiday Trade
Making Liberal Use of Newspaper Space and
Featuring Elaborate Windows—Piano Recital
Held Under Auspices of S. Hamilton Co.
PITTSBURGH, PA., December 15. — Christmas
spirit is dominating the music trade in the
Steel City. This is especially emphasized 'in
the notable window displays of the various mu-
sic merchants in which Yuletide decorations are
featured with pianos, talking machines and
other musical instruments. Sales of pianos, es-
pecially grands and players, are reported as
quite brisk.
One of the striking window displays is that
of the S. Hamilton Co.'s main store on Liberty
avenue. Cotton is lavishly used as a basis for
a Winter scene and holly and other holiday
greens are used as trimmings in a very effective
manner. On the side is a large sized figure
of Santa Claus pointing to a Mason & Ham-
lin grand piano in the center of the window.
Talking machines and records complete the dis-
play which is very attractive, especially at night
when it is illuminated.
The C. C. Mellor Co. has a fine display in
its show window, the center attraction being
a Steinway grand piano. Around this classy
instrument are a Victrola, a Brunswick-Radiola
and several portable talking machines. Christ-
mas greens embellish the show window and
make it one that is the cynosure of many eyes.
A Kranich & Bach grand piano on a raised
platform is the principal instrument shown in
the Lechner & Schoenberger Co.'s show win-
dow. Surrounding the piano are an Edison and
Victrola in the console models.
Chas. M. Stieff, Inc., features a Sticff repro-
ducing piano in their window display in which
Christmas colors and greens are liberally
shown.
A Pennsylvania charter has been granted to
the Hardwick Music Co. of Uniontown, Pa.,
with a capital of $75,000. The incorporators
are Mary T. Hardwick, Joseph E. Hardwick
and Roy Cunningham, all of Uniontown. The
Hardwick Music Co. was founded by the late
Joseph E. Hardwick and operates two stores,
cne in Uniontown and one in the city of
Brownsville, Pa.
A piano recital was held in the Carnegie
Lecture Hall, on Tuesday evening, December
11, by pupils of the Melody Way Piano Classes,
taught by Maude Johnson Fisher. The recital
was held under the auspices of the S. Hamilton
Co. The introduction was made by Burt Hen-
geveld, sales manager of the S. Hamilton Co.,
who took the place of Win. C. Hamilton, who
was unavoidably prevented from being present.
Will Earhart, director of music of the Pitts-
burgh Public Schools, during the intermission
made a few remarks in keeping with the oc-
casion.
New Store in Greenwood, S. G.
GREENWOOD, S. C, December 13.—T. B. Cleve-
land, of Anderson, has just opened a general
music store here on Waller avenue. A full
stock of Victrolas, pianos and general music
goods will be carried, and the formal opening
will be held in the near future with an elab-
orate program.
J. E. York Named Manager
COFFEYVILLE, KAN., December 15.—J. E. York,
formerly of Okmulgee, has been made manager
of the Pickcrcll Music House, of this city. He
has been engaged in the music business in this
section of the state for many years.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Peerless
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Electric Expression
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PEERLESS TOLBERT
PNEUMATIC
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F. CHEEK, President
469-485 East 133rd Street, New York
"Simplified to the point of perfection"
PIANO ACTION MACHINERY
We are also Builders and Designers of
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THE A. H. NILSON MACHINE CO.
BRIDGEPORT
CONN., U. S. A.