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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JANUARY 23, 1926
Steinway Piano Given as Basis of
Inspiration for New American Opera
Tributes of Composer and All Connected With New San Francisco Production Used in Novel
Advertisement by Sherman, Clay & Co.—Walters Brings Out New Radio Set
CAN FRANCISCO, CAL., January 14.—The
very few members of the trade who have
heard the news are warmly congratulating
Charles Walters, sales manager for Clark Wise
& Co. and very well known here as a piano
man. Mr. Walters has perfected a new radio
receiving set on an entirely new principle. For
one thing, it has non-vacuum tubes. For the
past three months Mr. Walters has been in the
East and now manufacture has commenced of
the new instrument. While unwilling to talk at
any length concerning his invention, Mr. Wal-
ters said that a corporation has been formed
and is now beginning to produce. Those most
interested in the new invention are George W.
Smith, of the Wood Working Co., Philadelphia,
Pa., and the St. Louis Car Co. R. C. Enright,
former police commissioner of New York, is
president of the new corporation.
Found Inspiration in the Steinway
The librettist, composer and the producer in
America of the new grand opera, "Fay Yen
Fah," all acknowledge, in response to "A decla-
ration by the Steinway piano," that their inspi-
ration was found at its keys. Sherman, Clay &
Co. have used the declaration as an effective
piece of advertising.
-The Steinway piano congratulates librettist,
composer and producer. The opera, successfully
produced at Monte Carlo some months ago, had
its American premiere here last Monday at the
Columbia Theatre, and was made a brilliant
society event. Both the composer and the
librettist are San Franciscans of wealth and
high standing. Joseph D. Redding, composer,
has for years been one of the leading lights of
the Bohemian Club, and the whole city rejoiced
in their success.
Templeton Crocker went back to China for a
romantic setting for his libretto. His declaration
was: "Thank you, Steinway piano. Your pres-
ence in my home has always been an inspiration,
and the story of 'Fay Yen Fah' was fairly
thought out over your own ivory keys."
Joseph D. Redding said: "Thank you, my be-
loved Steinway. You, as well as I, composed
this opera. Every bar, every note of the score,
as it developed, was uttered first of all by your
strings. For you are ever at my elbow, Stein-
way piano."
The Steinway piano also congratulated Gae-
tano Merola, the producer, who responds:
"Thank you, my Steinway. I am a sincere ad-
mirer of all fine pianos, of which, indeed, there
are several. But the piano in my home, as in
my professional wark, is the Steinway. The
musical history of this age could not be what
it is if the world of musicians in concert, stage
or studio or the lovers of music in the homes
had not possessed the inspiration of the Stein-
way."
Concerning the four dramatis personae, libret-
tist, composer, producer and the Steinway
piano, Neill C. Wilson, head of the advertising
department of Sherman, Clay & Co., is under-
stood to have thought out the clever piece of
advertising, when he learned that the three
men most prominent in the successful produc-
tion are all devotees of the Steinway.
Sales Manager Entertains Famous Pianists
A very successful reception was given at the
home of Harald Pracht, sales manager of the
Wiley B. Allen Co., this week to E. Robert
Schmitz and Benno Moisewitsch, both concertiz-
ing here. The pianists are Ampico artists and
also use the Mason & Hamlin piano exclusively,
so both as a musician and as sales manager of
Highest
Quality
the Wiley B. Allen Co. Mr. Pracht and the vis-
itors have much in common. About thirty
guests were present and vocal and instrumental
music were enjoyed.
Baldwin Pianos Will Be Displayed
The Baldwin Piano Co. has arranged for a
booth of its own at the Tenth Annual Pacific
Automobile Show in the Civic Auditorium. The
show takes place from January 30 to February
6, and is the big automobile event of the year.
Charles Dundore Visits Trade Here
Charles Dundore, representative of the Had-
dorff Piano Co., is calling on the San Fran-
cisco trade.
Another Artist for Atwater Kent Concert
Allan McQuhae, celebrated Irish tenor, is one
of the artists engaged for radio work by Atwa-
ter Kent. According to Ernest Ingold, of Ernest
Ingold, Inc., distributor of Atwater Kent for
this territory, McQuhae will sing in concert
over KPO here on February 14. This carries
on the chain of famous artists, the first link in
the chain having been Toscha Seidel.
Promising Pianist Plays for the Steinway
Back from spending some time at the San
Jose branch of Sherman, Clay & Co., R. W.
Pember, of the firm's wholesale department,
said that business has been good at the branch,
in which many improvements have recently
been made. Mr. Pember was much interested
in the concert given in the American Theatre,
San Jose, by Huston Ray, a pianist from Los
Angeles, who plays for the Steinway Duo-Art
and records. On the day he gave his concert
the heads of the branch lunched with him at
Lome Linda, in the foothills, where he was stay-
ing, and later drove into town. It is understood
that his affection for the Pacific Coast keeps
him from going further afield. While Mr. Pem-
ber was in San Jose Serge Halnian, of the Duo-
Art, was giving considerable time to the branch
store there.
Conn Boosters Enthuse Over Sousa
W. P. Mitchell, sales manager of the Conn
stores on the Pacific Coast, went across the
Bay to-day to welcome John Philip Sousa, who
will give concerts, with his band, both here and
in Oakland. Mr. Mitchell said that Conn en-
thusiasts are delighted with the visit of Sousa,
and they are eagerly recalling the saying at-
tributed to him: "The man that knows will use
a Conn."
Figured Train Schedules Very Closely
The Tenth Annual Pacific Show in the Civic
Auditorium here will be Paul Whiteman's only
appearances on the Pacific Coast, at present, it
is stated. Immediately after February 6, the
closing date of the show, Whiteman and His
Orchestra will take train for New York to fill
a number of engagements. It was only by figur-
ing very closely on train schedules that George
Wahlgreen, manager of the show, was able to
sign a contract with the famous leader to play
at the show. The H. C. Hanson Music House,
Buescher distributor for northern California, is
especially pleased, because, in addition to be-
ing an exclusive Buescher performer, White-
man's Orchestra uses Paramount banjos, for
which the Hanson House is also distributor for
this territory.
the W. F. Frederick Piano Co., died last Satur-
day night in the Presbyterian Hospital, of pneu-
monia. Mr. Robertson came to Pittsburgh
about eighteen years ago and for some time
after his arrival was a member of the choir of
the First Presbyterian Church, North Side. He
was never married and leaves one brother, Fred-
erick Robertson, of near Buffalo, N. Y., and one
sister, Miss Margaret Robertson, of Wabash,
Ind. Interment was made at Wabash.
Atwater Kent to Present
the New York Symphony
Organization to Broadcast From Astor Gallery
of Waldorf-Astoria on Next Sunday Evening
as Part of Concert Series
The next concert of the series of radio broad-
cast concerts being given by A. Atwater Kent,
of the Atwater Kent Mfg. Co., through station
WEAF, New York, and a chain of fourteen
other stations, will present to the radio au-
diences the New York Symphony Orchestra,
under the baton of Walter Damrosch. Owing
to the size of the orchestra and the necessity
for larger accommodations than the broad-
casting studio affords, the concerts will be given
from the Astor Gallery of the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel, and Mr. Kent has invited a number of
guests to attend the concerts in person. The
program will start at the usual time, 9.15 Sun-
day evening, and the announcements will be
made by Graham McNamee.
Pratt Read
Products
keys actions
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are shipped on time.
When we make a
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When you want
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We have over
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Write us at the
first opportunity.
PRATT, READ & CO.
Death of D. G. Robertson
Established i n 1 8 0 6
PITTSBURGH, PA., January 18.—D. G. Robertson,
aged sixty-two, well known in Pittsburgh mu-
sical circles and connected with the piano
department of Boggs & Buhl and formerly with
The PRATT READ PLAYER ACTION CO.
T
0NKRE
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Deep River, Conn.
Highest
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