Presto

11
P R E S T O
June 14. 1924.
of some interest. For presumably to play upon some
other instrument would have violated his American
contract and there might have been brought dam-
ages, or a breach of further stipulations in the ar-
rangement. So that, as a test case as to the relations
of pianist to piano-maker, it is one of the peculiar
Rosenthal Causes Musical and Trade Sensa- trade concern, no less than in music circles gener-
ally.
tion by Refusing to Play in Concert Be-
Another puzzling circumstance is the reference to
cause American Piano Failed to Arrive.
the lack of German pianos in London. It has been
very generally supposed, that the English capital has
A good deal of interest, not to say curiosity, was been flooded with instruments from Berlin, though
created in the piano trade and other musical circles there are no Bechsteins there. The British music
of New York, by a dispatch which appeared in the trade papers have discussed that phase of the situa-
newspapers of May 31. The story told of a law- tion. It is probable, however, that the correspondent
suit brought by Moriz Rosenthal, the pianist, to re- of the New York Tribune, who sent the dispatch, is
cover the sum he was to have received for a con- not familiar with what has been called the "stencil
cert which he did not give. Although the precise racket" and doesn't know a German piano when he
amount of damages he seeks has not been made pub- sees one.
lic, it is understood to be several thousand dollars.
The story continues:
Rosenthal was booked to play on May 3 at Queen's
Hall, London, with Sir Henry Wood's Orchestra.
He had just returned from a successful tour of the
United States. He sailed from New York on the
Aquitania on April 17, and had sent his piano to Lon-
Instrument's Power of Tone-Shading Imparts Per-
don on April 16, on the steamer Port Sydney.
When the time approached for the concert it was sonal Touch and Eliminates Automatic Suggestions.
found that the piano had arrived in London on April
"Music with you in it," is the already generally
2 1 -, but could not be taken out of customs in time for
the recital, owing to negligence on the part of the known slogan of the Thompson U'nette Piano Co.,
managers. Rosenthal insisted he would not play un- 2652 West Lake street, Chicago. It is exemplified in
less he had the piano of American manufacture.
the tone shading U'nette, an electrically operated
Every effort of the concert management failed at player-grand especially designed for personal play-
the eleventh hour, and the piano remained in cus- ing in addition to automatic playing or reproducing.
toms. Rosenthal thereupon yielded a bit to the popu-
The tone-shading U'nette gives the player pianist
lar clamor. He promised to appear at the concert if
control of all the means used by the automatic mech-
a certain piano of German make, his second choice, anism to put expression into the music. Equipped
could be provided. Here again a difficulty arose. The
war is over, but there are no German pianos to be with a system of expression buttons in the key slip
that yield the six recognized degrees of volume, and
found in London.
Rosenthal w-ould yield no further. If he could not also permit tone-shading, this piano, though electric-
have his American piano, and not even his German ally operated and primarily a "reproducer," enables
piano, he would not play. Not all the coaxing of
the playerpianist to play as perfectly as the special
London's great musicians had any effect on him. reproducing roll does.
Indeed, a group of virtuoso pianists refused to coax
The point hardly can be disputed that an electric
him, agreeing that a master needs his peculiar and piano equipped for both automatic and personal ex-
individual piano in order to appear at his best.
Rosenthal took passage for Paris just before the pression has advantages for all members of the
concert. The day after the orchestra played without average family. It gives practically everything that
him Rosenthal rendered a bill for the sum he was to could be desired in the home piano: hand playing on
the keyboard, automatic playing through the repro-
have received as assisting artist.
Naturally, the incident caused much curiosity in the ducing rolls, and personal playing through the tone
trade as to what American piano it could have been buttons.
that Rosenthal thought so essential to his London
performance. The case was entirely new in the
ADJUSTERS AT BELLEVUE, IA.
annals of the concert stage. The piano industry had
The adjusters were in Bellevue, la., last week look-
never before heard of such a condition. An investi- ing over the ruins of the Henry G. Johnson Co.'s
gation disclosed, it is said, that the missing instru- factory destroyed by tire recently and going over fig-
ment was a Knabe, and that the pianist was under ures, according to a report from that place. Should
contract to prove his pianism upon that piano. And Mr. Johnson feel disinclined to rebuild the bondhold-
naturally, too, the question of the "artist's" agree- ers will receive their money in full from the policies.
ment with the makers of the piano became a subject If a liberal adjustment of the loss will permit Mr.
Johnson to rebuild and resume, then he will be paid
the settlement, will rebuild and things be on the same
footing as before the fire. The people of Bellevue
are ready to help Mr. Johnson in every way possible.
He put Bellevue on the map. To keep it there is the
wish of the citizens and of the piano trade as well.
SUES BECAUSE COULDN'T
GET PIANO OF CHOICE
LATEST U'NETTE GRAND
HAS A TONAL VARIETY
E. Leins Piano Co.
CHICAGO ELECTRIC PIANO
ASSURES GOOD PROFITS
Smith, Barnes & Strohber Product Which Puts
Life in Any Amusement Place Described
in Folder.
A very popular instrument in the trade at the pres-
ent time is the Chicago Electric Piano, manufactured
by the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co., 1872 Clybourne
avenue, Chicago. It is an instrument with no short-
comings and possessed of a fine tone of the quality
that pleases—the kind that people like. In a hand-
some folder sent to dealers this is said:
"Wherever there is a-happy crowd there is music.
That's a tip. Wherever there is happy music, there
is a crowd. That's a tip for owners of public gather-
ing places.
"It is music that puts the life in any amusement
establishment, restaurants, ice cream parlors, theaters,
parks, gardens, etc., developing an atmosphere of
good will and filling the desire for recreation."
Although the automatic instrument brings returns
the year round, the season when it brings most profits
is at hand. Many dealers, realizing this, have taken
on the fine line of the Chicago company and are en-
joying the fruits of the attractive field.
NEW INDIANA STORE.
The opening of the Will Young Music Store in
Columbia City, Ind.. recently, in charge of Miss
Mary Bodley, was a pleasant formal affair. Miss
Bodley was assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, of
Fort Wayne. A big crowd attended the opening
and a program of music and singing was given.
THE
W. P. HAINES & COMPANY
PIANOS
THE PIANOS OF QUALITY
Three Generations of Piano Makers
All Styles—Ready Sellers
Attractive Prices
GRANDS
REPRODUCING GRANDS
UPRIGHTS and PLAYERS
AVAILABLE TERRITORY OPEN
W. P. HAINES & CO., Inc.
138th St. and Walton AT*.
New York City
MANAGER'S CHEERFUL REPORT.
Makers of Pianos and
Player Pianos That Are
Established L e a d e r s .
C. H. Smith, manager of the J. W. Jenkins Sons'
Music Co.'s store at 624 Minnesota avenue, Kansas
City, Kan., reports that business is very good just
now in all departments. The demand for music rolls,
especially for the high-class music, is excellent.
Correspondence from Reliable
Dealers Invited
NEW MANAGER APPOINTED.
Factory and Offices, 304 W. 42nd St.
NEW YORK
J. R. Drake, of Rushville, Ind., took charge of the
Starr Piano Store on West Seventh street, Conners-
ville, Ind., June 1. Mr. Drake is the manager of
the Starr Company's store in Rushville and will be in
charge of both places in the future.
WEBSTER PIANOS
Noted for Their Musical Beauty
of Tone and Artistic Style
ATTRACTIVE PRICES
The True Test
Factory
Leo minster,
Man.
Executive Office*
138th St. and Walton Are.
New York
Divi.ion W. P. HAINES & CO., Inc.
Compare the new Jesse French & Sons Piano
Jesse French & Sons Style BB
with any other strictly high grade piano in tone,
touch and general construction, and you will be
convinced at once that t h e y offer the most
exceptional v a l u e s to be found anywhere.
Write today for catalog and prices
"They are the one best buy on the market"
JESSE FRENCH & SONS PIANO CO
NEW CASTLF,
INDIANA
WILLIAMS
PIANOS
The policy of the Williams House is and always
has been to depend upon excellence of product
instead of alluring price. Such a policy does not
attract bargain hunters. It does, however, win the
hearty approval and support of a very desirable
and substantial patronage.
WIIIIAMS M a k e " of Williams Pianos,
WILLWHI3 Epworth Pianos and Organs
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