May 10, 1924.
PRESTO
presto
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY.
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
C. A. DANIELL and FRANK D. ABBOTT
- Editors
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makers of musical instruments, as well as with,
radio specialists.
If Pavlowa has the right idea then it must
seem that radio is as much a part of the music
trade as any other of the things that concern
the dealers. For her plan would take away
the merely toy-house feature of radio and
make it the link between the concert hall and
the home. It would commercialize radio in the
same sense that other musical instruments are
commercialized. Radio would be a "combina-
tion of radio manufacturers, orchestra and
concert artists." It would carry into the home
the best work of the great performers ami
singers, and it would, of necessity, eliminate
the advertising features and the political
speeches, and other intrusions upon domestic
harmony and happiness.
The head of the Ballet Russe may have A
dream. It may be long in its realization, but
we are inclined to think that she has hit upon
a solution of a problem which has been en-
tangling the trade and confusing the music-
loving public which has not been able to fully
decide whether radio as an aid to art is really
a blessing or a sort of nuisance in disguise.
GERMAN
PIANOS
IN
ENGLAND
MAKING LITERATURE
OUT OF ADVERTISING
Highly Readable Specimen of Printer's Pro-
motion of the Steinway Piano by Big
San Francisco House,
The literary touch in piano advertising has been
brought to an almost fascinating point in the printed
publicity of the Steinway piano. Presto has, before
now, reproduced some of it from the big New York
City dailies. Following is a good one which no doubt
had also appeared in the East, but which is copied
from a Sherman, Clay & Co. advertisement in San
Francisco. It's well worth keeping:
At a great majority of all concerts this season, as
for two generations past, the programs state: "The
piano is the Steinway."
I am the Steinway piano. I do not believe that
Sherman, Clay & Co., my Pacific Coast representa-
tives, print this statement in a spirit of boastfulness.
1 believe that they use it, as I accept it, in a spirit of
deep responsibility.
For consider what it means to me, the piano, thus
chosen—not occasionally, but almost universally—to
be the companion of all these artists on the concert
stage. Violinists and vocalists trust me to provide the
canvas against which they, as painters, may fling the
colors of their art. Pianists invite me to render into
gracious sound, those vast chords and melodies which
exist only within their own brains and souls-—until I
speak for them.
Far, far more than the audiences realize, do the
triumphs of the artists depend upon the fidelity of
their instruments.
Nor is it sufficient that I simply perform as well on
this occasion as on the last. Art does not stand still;
neither may I. Every concert on every occasion is
a new test, a new crisis, and a glorious new oppor-
tunity for me.
That is why it meant so much to me when the
great Theodore Thomas wrote of me, in 1879: "1
consider the Steinway piano the best at present made,
and that is the reason why I use it in private and also
in all my public concerts," and was able to say of me
again in 1898, "I gave the above testimonial nineteen
years ago, and will only change it in so far as to say
that the superiority of the Steinway piano to all
others that 1 know of is even more apparent today
than it was nineteen years ago.''
That is why it means so much to me to have Pader-
ewski say: "Whenever perfection is attained, prog-
ress is stopped; for there is no room for climbing
when the summit has been reached. And yet, in
your case, this law of nature seems to have been
defied . . . Such a thing can only be accomplished
by a sincere love of profession, and it is to this love
of profession that I wish to pay my tribute of high
esteem and admiration."
This is my responsibility, to see that every con-
cert season finds me more gracious, more responsive,
more endearing than the last. And always, I hope,
shall 1 continue to be a very human piano.
Such is the meaning of the phrase, ''the piano is the
Steinway," and such is the spirit in which I stand
upon this concert stage before you now.
There is something about Captain Cecil's
article this week that suggests that the gal-
lant soldier and writer may "have it in" for
the
British piano. But perhaps we are wrong
A REMARKABLE LETTER
about this, and the German manufacturers
Nothing could be more stimulating- to the may have so far advanced as to be making
piano trade than the letter which forms a part pianos so much better than Britain as to prove
of the page advertisement of The Cable Com- all the menace to the London trade that is
pany in this issue of Presto. It is very rarely implied by our correspondent at Paris.
that this trade paper makes any such use as
Before the war the cheapest pianos dis-
this of any communication, or other publicity
played in London were from Germany. The
matter which may seem to bear especially
English capital was flooded with them. They
upon the interests of some particular indus-
bore all sorts of names, and they were sold
try. But in this case the interest is general
at retail for little more than $50. on the three
in its character.
years plan of payment. When the war started
The letter is from a prominent, and very the London dealers hurriedly removed the
successful, piano merchant to one of the great- German piano names and every other sign of
est of the American piano industries and bears their origin.
the kind of testimony which concerns every
And then came the announcement from the
ambitious piano dealer. It presents the sort
British Piano Trade Association, that never
of testimony every manufacturer must prize
again would a German piano be permitted on
and, in some instances, covet. There are other
LEWIS H. CLEMENT IN ROLE
the floor of any London music dealer.
very large piano industries whose products
OF ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR
But the war ended, and with the signing
present even a larger number, or variety, of
of
the
armistice
came
the
unwritten
promise
great piano names. But is there another which
As Leader and Secretary of Organization He Has
can produce a letter of like power, covering of forgetfulness and condonement of past
Been Potent in Its Success.
instruments which, by the very reason of their wrongdoings. The German pianos returned
Lewis
H.
Clement,
once widely known as an active
old and famous names, if nothing else, are sup- under nearly as many disguises as before. And force in the piano trade, is conductor of the Toledo
posed to rank among the highest? If so, Capt. Cecil now says London might as well Symphony Orchestra, season of 1923-24. In the
concert of the season, April 27, the orchestra
there could be no better or more useful piano be asking: "Sha'1 the Battle of Waterloo con- sixth
was assisted by the Eurydice Club and the soloist was
tinue
forever?"
as
to
exclude
the
opportuni-
trade literature.
Hermann E. Gunther, 'cellist.
ties offered by German pianos.
The wide range of Mr. Clement's abilities is shown
It is our judgment that, while The Cable
But it does seem strange that the English in the historical and analytical notes provided in the
Company's publicity department is credited
program.
with having carried off the honors for good people so far prefer the German pianos as to
The Toledo Symphony Orchestra is kept up by
advertising in years past, it has never before endanger a great industry of their own. It supporting members of the orchestra association, by
and by life membership gift of $2,500
produced so forceful and conclusive an adver- is strange that so soon the German piano box-holders
from Grinnell Bros. And of course the managerial
makers
could
have
surpassed
the
English,
not
tisement as the page which appears in this
well as the musical ability of Mr. Clement has had
only in the economy of their productiveness, as
a powerful influence in making the orchestra some-
issue of Presto.
but also in the quality of their musical instru- thing of which all Toledo people are justly proud.
ments—of their pianos. We are inclined to
GOOD CANADA REPORT.
await
the gentle denial of our amiable Lon-
A RADIO SOLUTION
C.
W.
Lindsay was re-elected president and gen-
don contemporary, The Piano Maker, before
eral manager of the C. W. Lindsay Co., Ltd., Mon-
A Russian danseuse has given it as her opin- accepting what Capt. Cecil says as final.
treal, Canada, at a recent meeting. B. A. Edward was
ion that radio and music must combine. The
elected secretary and W. A. Robinson, treasurer.
suggestion might have come from some one
The report of the president and secretary told of a
NEW COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
very successful year with collections better today
equally prominent in the profession or indus-
than a year ago. The regular dividends of 7 per cent
Following
the
annual
meeting
last
week
of
the
New
try of music, but Pavlowa has been long as- York Piano Merchants' Association, C. T. Purdy, who on
the preferred stock and 8 per cent on the com-
sociated with musical affairs, and her nimble was re-elected president for the third time, appointed mon stock were declared as well as a 2 per cent
feet have taught her active brain what is the following committees: Membership—Homer de bonus for the year to common stockholders.
wanted in things associated with her phe- Anguera, chairman; H. S. Bardenheuer, and George
Sexton. Grievance—C. A. Laurino, chairman; A. L.
Dan & Knife is the name of a new concern to en-
nomenal performances. So that what she says Spoerl and Charles W. Paul. Program—John J. gage
in the music business at 137 East Fourth street,
must have weight with music makers, and Glynn, chairman; H. E. Brown and E. J. Winterroth. Long Beach, Cal.
SATURDAY, MAY 10. 1924.
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