Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1925 2039

Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American P i a n o s
and in Detail Tells of
Fheir Makers.
PRESTO
E.tabiuhed 1884. THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Year Book
The Only Complete
Annual Review of the
American Music In-
dustries and Trades.
10 Cent, } u.oo « y««.
CHICAGO. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1925
AN EVENT IN AMERICAN PIANO HISTORY
The Great De Pacbmann Reappears in London Concert at Which He Introduces the Baldwin Piano Under Auspices
of its New Representative in the English Metropolis
The widely heralded introduction of the Baldwin
piano into London is an event of importance. The
success which attended the introduction of the Bald-
win into London is of unusual interest, not only to
the Baldwin Company itself, hut to every other
American piano manufacturer.
It shows that when it comes to artistic pianoforte
manufacture, America, as in other branches of indus-
trial activity, can lead the world.
Herewith are presented an unusual interesting story
and photographs from London in which the triumph
of the American piano is graphically told. DePach-
mann's success is, of course, only possible when the
piano responds in absolute sympathy to his every
mood. The London music critic tells how the instru-
ment from Cincinnati responded to the demands of
the great artist at the return appearance of DePach-
mann in London.
A PORTENTOUS EVENT.
London, August 1, 1925.
The most interesting, and possibly the most por-
tentious, event to take place in the English piano
world recently was the presentation in London of
the Baldwin piano. The first hearing of the Bald-
win on the English concert stage since the Great
War, was at the return of the veteran pianist, Vladi-
mir DePachmann, to Queens Hall, London, June 15
and June 24, when the eccentric master of divine tone
brought with him from America, where he has been
WIGMORE HALL, LONDON, ENGLAND.
Top The vestibule and steps to gallery. Center—Vladimir de Pachmann playing on the Baldwin Con-
cert Grand, prior to his recital. Bottom—(left) Interior of Wigmore Hall; (right) The platform.
for the past two years on his farewell American tour,
the Baldwin piano.
For a half century Pachmann has been one of the
greatest favorites with our concert-going public. His
return after two years' absence was greeted by full
houses, and his greeting by the critics can be best
summarized by quoting here from the review in the
London Telegraph of June 25.
The "Telegraph" Review.
Pachmann's recital at the Queen's Hall last night
(the last of the present season) was what a Pach-
mann recital invariably is—an occasion in which
those who happen to sit at a certain distance from the
performer are invariably teased by his running com-
mentary, yet delighted by his exquisite playing. For
if he so teases us he also pleases us as no other in-
terpreter of Chopin ever did. Chopin for the im-
mense majority of his interpreters means something
intimately dramatic—a "robusto" style matched to
a robust piano.
Pachmann also insists above all on the lyrical
quality of Chopin's music. His very runs and scales
seem as lyrical as the song of the nightingale. Fiori-
ture, ornamentations, all are invested by lyricism.
Even the Scherzo in B flat minor becomes in his
hands something too lovely to be only tragedy.
In the whole of his programme which included the
second impromptu, nocturnes, etudes, valses, and
mazurkas, not once was the tone of the piano forced
beyond the kind of sonority which is generally de
rigeur with the older composers. It follows that
beauty is paramount in all Pachmann's interpreta-
tions, and his readings may be taken as patterns of
what Chopin should be. That the message of his
music is also deeply imbued with a dramatic sense
cannot be denied. But surely the aim of all art has
ever been to soften all that hurts and wounds in trag-
edy and turn it into something which stimulates,
something that makes us beyond the actual fact, the
material event into a more serene atmosphere. This
is precisely what Pachmann does with Chopin. Other
interpretations, of course, are possible, and we ac-
knowledge the eloquence of other people's pleading.
But let us admit the supreme beauty of Pachmann's.
A Double Interest.
To musicians, and particularly to pianists, these
Pachmann concerts meant more than the return to
England of the veteran pianist. They meant, in addi-
tion, the opportunity of hearing the Baldwin piano.
Contrary to current belief English musicians are not
hide-bound in their attitude towards the American
piano. In fact, as one of the most famous of English
teachers put it to the writer of this article, "We are
only too glad to hear the leading American piano.
Of course, we are used to the best pianos of German
manufacture, and we have our preferences based
upon custom and upon use, but we are always glad
of any opportunity to enlarge our experience, and
you may be sure that we shall be only too glad to
welcome any artistic addition to the piano field."
The result was that the Pachmann audiences in-
cluded at least a hundred of the more prominent mu-
sicians curious to discover what the Baldwin piano
meant. Needless to say (needless at least for those
who are familiar in America with the quality of the
Baldwin piano) these hundred odd were more than
pleased. To all of them the piano was a revelation
and proved once again what America is able to ac-
complish in the manufacture of "Quality" goods.
Congratulations In Order.
The following days brought many musicians into
the Wigmore Hall and Piano Galleries, the Londdn
agents for the Baldwin, to try and test for themselves
the quality of Baldwin action and Baldwin tone.
Congratulations were in order for Mr. Winchester
Berridge, proprietor of the Wigmore Hall and Piano
Galleries, and the best of wishes were extended him
for his association with the Baldwin in England. And,
incidentally, there came many a request that the
piano be furnished for this or that artist's recital.
The Wigmore connection is particularly well suited
for the Baldwin in England. The premises include,
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
August 22, 1925.
PRESTO
in addition to the piano-warerooms, the Wigmoi^e
Hall, most popular of the London concert halls and
one which by its size and excellent acoustics gives
unlimited opportunity to the recitalist, and forty-
two studios, in which at least 150 of London's most
successful teachers are engaged regularly. The prem-
ises are situated in the center of London, are conven-
ient to shoppers from the entire city, and are in the
heart of the best shopping district.
Mr. Winchester Berridge, proprietor of the Wig-
more Hall and Piano Galleries, is an experienced
piano man. Prior to the war he was connected with
the firm of C. Bechstein, who at the time occupied
the present site of Mr. Berridge's activities. When
the Bechstein properties, being German, were seized
by the British government, they were sold at forced
sale to Messrs. Debenham and Freebody, from whom
Mr. Berridge rented the premises on a long lease and
established his own business. Following the war the
Wigmore Hall and Piano Galleries became the dis-
tributing center for the Boesendorfer piano, of Aus-
trian manufacture. Now Mr. Berridge has extended
his field to include the Baldwin.
Visited Baldwin Factory.
Before doing so, however, he went last spring to
the United States and visited the Baldwin factories in
Cincinnati and there assured himself of the quality
and thoroughness of Baldwin manufacture. Only
after such inspection could he convince himself that
in America could he find a piano which could be sold
in England at prices above the level of those German
pianos which are already well-known and accepted
by the English public.
The Baldwin is to be complimented in having the
piano exploited by the popular pianist, de Pachmann.
This fall he will give recitals in thirty cities of the
British Isles, which means that in its first English
year the Baldwin will be heard in thirty crowded
concert halls in England, Ireland, Scotland and
Wales.
AN EVENT IN THE CAREER
OF THE DREHER PIANO CO.
Outing in Which 100 Participated, Many of from 20
to 30 Years' Service.
Employees of the Dreher Piano Company, Cleve-
land, recently celebrated their annual picnic at the
Regnatz Inn, Warren avenue. About one hundred
participated and the festivities included athletic events,
dinner, dancing and various games.
The affair was notable in the number of employees
who had been with the house for long terms of years.
Among these were C. F. Dorraan, 29 years; E. A.
Moritz, 26 years; Henry Hoffman and Robert Jones,
since 1899. The following had been with the house
for over twenty years: A. J. Eiermann, since 1903;
M. E. Smith and W. G. Bowie, since 1904, and Sam
Richardson, Henry Boesch and Chas. Huber, since
1905.
PIANO MAN IN BOOM STATE.
Fred Firestone, long connected with the Chicago
trade, and latterly of Rockford, 111., is now residing
at Dayton, Fla., where he is engaged in the real
estate business. Land is booming in Florida and it
is hoped that Mr. Firestone may get his share in the
results, for he is a salesman.
It is very seldom that a very poor piano bears a
very good name.
ALL SET FOR THE OHIO
DEALERS' CONVENTION
Full List of Committees Selected for Conven-
tion of the Ohio Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation in Cincinnati Next Month.
The complete committees of the annual convention
of the Music Merchants' Association of Ohio, to be
held at Hotel Sinton, Cincinnati, Sept. 14 to 16, are
as follows:
Executive Convention Committee: J. A. Jacober,
chairman; J. Fred Van Court, Dan F. Summey,
George P. Gross, Wm, R. Graul, Arleigh C. Dom,
Phil Wyman.
Transportation: Arleigh C. Dom, Phil Wyman.
Cody's Farm: J. Fred Van Court, Dan F.
Summey.
Noon Luncheons: George P. Gross, Wm. R.
Graul.
Golf: Henry Dreher, Chairman; Chas. H. Yahr-
ling, F. Jos. Volz, Wm. R. Graul, Arleigh C. Dom.
Ladies' Reception: Lillian Van Court, Chairman;
Amanda S. Graul, Clara L. Jacober, Mrs. H. L.
Chubb, Mrs. E. A. Wegert, Mrs. Geo. P. Gross,
Margaret MacElroy, Mrs. J. D. Bright, Mrs. W. E.
Brown.
Reception: Howard L. Chubb, Chairman; E. M.
Abbott, Louis H. Ahaus, Albert H. Bates, F. B.
Beinkamp, J. Dudley Bright, W. E. Brown, Willard
J. Butler, Walter Canfield, Chas. H. Devine, A. C.
Dom, A. B. Furlong, Jr., W. L. Gibson, Geo. D.
Grad, Otto Grau, Wm. R. Graul, George P. Gross,
J. E. Henderson, Jos. A. Jacober, E. I. Kaiper, Al-
bert E. MacElroy, K. W. Pandorf, Herman Ritter.
E. E. Roberts, Geo. A. Shives, Ely Steinberg, Daniel
F. Summey, Walter W. Timmerman, J. Fred Van
Court, F. Jos. Volz, E. A. Wegert, C. F. Welch,
Phillip Wyman, Albert V. Mertes, Adolph Spicker,
Arthur Brand, Robert Keckritz.
Seventy-three members have been gained by the
Music Merchants Association of Ohio since the re-
cent drive for membership began. The following is
a list of members just enrolled:
Albert V. Mertes, 22 West Twelfth street, Cincin-
nati; Adolph Spicker, Twelfth and Race streets, Cin-
cinnati; Edwin S. Williams (associate), United Piano
Corp., Norwalk; Ray Lammers, 27 West Fourth
street, Cincinnati; Erwin R. Mihm (associate), 17800
Franklin avenue, Lakewood; Don M. Weimer, 147
East Liberty street, Wooster; Arthur Brand, 1618
Vine street, Cincinnati; Wm. N. Appel, 904 East
McMillan street, Cincinnati; H. H. Findt, 164 North
Fourth street, Steubenville; A. T. Loggie, 146 South
Fourth street, Steubenville; Max Frank, 1205 Vine
street, Cincinnati; V. S. Pfenning, West Spring street,
St. Marys; Mrs. J. G. Herbold, 218 South Market
street, Galion; M. L. Phillips, 14 South Main street,
Mt. Gilead; Albert A. Fink, Kenton; Oscar A. Hoff-
man, 1105 Harrison avenue, Cincinnati; Morris Fan-
tie, 117 West Fourth street, Cincinnati; Louis A.
Noelcke, 977 East McMillan street, Cincinnati; Irv-
ing W. Lohr (associate), 669 Jefferson Place, New
York.
DEALERS MAKE GOOD REPORT.
Business for Schaeffer instruments in the South
and Southwest is good, is the report of two music
merchants who visited the Schaeffer Piano Mfg. Co.,
Chicago, this week. James T. Dwyer, president of
Dwyer Piano Co., New Orleans, has just completed
a trip to the Pacific Coast. He reported that busi-
ness conditions were improving when he started.
Thomas Logan, manager of the Thomas Goggan &
Bros. Music Co., San Antonio, Texas, called at the
Schaeffer offices with the cheering report that trade
in Texas is on the upward trend.
LYON & HEALY PIANO
DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Experienced Salesman from Pittsburgh Will
Assume His New Responsibilities with
the Old Chicago House Sept. 1st.
Last week Presto told of the new management of
the Lyon & Healy piano department in Chicago.
Herewith is a good portrait of the new manager, who
H. II. FJlKTCR.
for years has been identified with the house of
C. C. Meller Co., in Pittsburgh.
Mr. Freer has a good record as a salesman, and,
with the assistance of the same staff which has been
associated with the Lyon & Healy piano department
for some time back, he will have opportunity to prove
his already recognized capacity. He takes hold of
his new responsibilities with the beginning of
September.
PIANO CLUB OF CHICAGO.
A good meeting last Monday. Next will be at
12:15 p. m., Illinois Athletic Club, Monday. Two
weeks ago William L. Bush, an honorary member of
this club, offered a splendid suggestion to promote
music. Any suggestion that will constructively pro-
mote music within the finances of this club is inter-
esting to the club. Last week's letter, by an error
of the mailing company, stated that resident member-
ship for 14 months, or until October 15, 1925, would
cost $10, non-resident $5. This should read until
October 15, 1926.
SUMMER and AUTUMN
offer opportunities for the live piano salesman unequalled by any other season. With the Bowen Loader it is easy to get out into the
country, taking the piano along. Sales are sure, and with the Ford runabout and one-man Carrier you can demonstrate and do busi-
ness anywhere. Our latest fool-proof, indestructible Loader for only $95 affords an unusual opportunity. Satisfaction guaranteed.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

Download Page 3: PDF File | Image

Download Page 4 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.