P R E S T O-T.I M E S
RENAISSANCE IN
PIANOPERFORMANCE
Despite Side-Swipes of Writer of "Little Nell"
Editorial and Blue Songs of Pessimists,
C. M. Tremaine Sees the Piano
Growing in Favor Daily.
In Presto-Times of September 15, appeared two let-
ters criticising the rash statement of an editorial writer
in the New York Times for declaring that the piano,
sheet music and the parlor all were things of the past.
The "Little Nell'' editorial. One of these letters was
signed Piano Traveler and the other was from the pen of
E. A. Francis, piano dealer at Galesburg, 111.
The Piano Traveler letter intimated that writing
editorials for a New York daily had sharpened that
editor into an unnatural state of acuteness such as might
happen to any man grinding out space copy for the
ephemeral pages of a big metropolitan sheet. In this
way he had unwittingly put the piano in an unfavorable
light, or rather condemned it to outer darkness, which
would also imply that the inexhaustible waste-basket of
bankruptcy was overflowing with piano cases.
However, it will take more than phantasms of imagina-
tion to put pianos off the commercial map, for, to those
who know the piano business best, it does not seem that
any possible combination of circumstances could ac-
complish so dire a result. The piano is one of the leading
elegancies of life and if it did not give satisfaction it
would have passed out many years ago. With all the
chitter-chatter about the aids to improve superficial hu-
manity, the civilization of the fall of 1929 has not got
it all its own way. It is true things are changing rapidly,
but that does not justify the blending of a curious amal-
gam of incongruous ideas into an editorial which would
make it appear that it is possible to have a surfeit even
of the sublime and the beautiful. The piano is one article
of commerce that always keeps up to date; it is always
able to give that new life which the artist by his skill
is enabled to get out of it.
C. M. Tremaine Takes Notice.
C. M. Tremaine, of 45 West 45th street. New York,
director of the National Bureau of the Advancement of
Music, also noticed the "Little Nell" editorial and here
follows the letter he wrotei'to the New York Times:
September 10, 1929.
Editor,
The Times,
New York City.
Dear Sir:
We have read with keen interest, but partial dissent,
your editorial, "The Passing of Little Nell," in which
you mock-mourn the young lady who once presided at
the parlor piano, playing sentimental songs in support of
the wavering tenors and callow baritones of her boy
friends.
As you correctly surmise, her efforts appear to have
been supplanted by the phonograph, the player-piano and
the radio, which perform not only her one-time function
but a great deal more she could never have achieved.
It is the old story of new inventions, which have no more
neglected the field of music than those of industry, hous-
ing and most of the other important phases of modern
life. Changes in the musical adjustment of the individual
and the family were as bound to come as they came in
home organization when the mother relinquished to the
factory her baking and her laundry.
But there is an important fork in the road of musical
progress which you fail to map. One branch of this
fork,, to be sure, leads to more music for everyone, via
the record and the ether, at the sacrifices of self-ex-
pression to the individual. But the other is important
too and should not be overlooked.
Musical Sense Requires Exercise.
In the first years after the introduction of the new
music purveyors, it is quite true that all the world flocked
to the first path. There was a slump in "taking piano,"
and cultivating an appreciation for good music seemed to
be the chief educational need. But the musical sense is
innate in most normal human beings, and where it is at
all strongly present its demands cannot be met by mere
passive listening. It requires exercise for its develop-
ment. The person who can play an instrument derives
from it a satisfaction unobtainable in anv other way.
Hence it was not long before there set in a divergent
tendency—a revival of interest in musical performance,
which is now spreading rapidly enough to be called a
renaissance.
Playing for Self-Development.
The new development, however, is following distinctly
different lines from the old in many respects, namely,
teaching in classes, and this fact may have obscured its
actual expansion. The change may well have been forced
by the inventions that vanquished the young lady of your
editorial, but whether or not, they unquestionably har-
monize with educational advancement all along the line.
Little Nell's younger brothers and sisters are learning to
play today, noi merely as an accomplishment, but more
because of the self-development it affords. They are
learning in constantly increasing numbers, and both the
augmented numbers and the new incentive are chiefly due
to the advent of the school piano class.
Displaying Great Interest in Music.
When these children grow a little older they will be
musical amateurs in a truer sense than little Nell ever
was. They will be able to entertain their friends, when
the occasion arises, more competently than did Little
Nell; but of greater significance, they will enjoy making
music, whether there is someone to listen or not. They
won't need to edify the family or visitors. The virtuoso
of today and tomorrow, and the famous ensembles, will
take care of that. If the youngster is not endowed with
much musical talent, he will at least be able to play the
tunes that take his fancy and devise simple accompani-
ments for them. Boys and girls are being taught to d<-
this now in thousands of school piano classes through-
out the country, and they are displaying an interest in
music unheard of in average healthy children of a gen-
eration ago.
Inquiries from 4,693 Cities and Towns.
The National Bureau for the Advancement of Music
has conducted a survey of the new movement toward
self-activity in music-making as it relates to school
bands and orchestras, and more recently in connection
with the piano classes. How wide-spread is the interest in
these classes may be inferred from the fact that the
Bureau received, during the past year, 7,997 requests for
information concerning therh from school superintend-
ents, public school music supervisors, private music teach-
ers, presidents of music clubs, etc. The inquiries came
from 4,693 cities and towns, which of course is repre-
sentative of the entire United States. The enthusiastic
letters received from those who have organized such
classes, after properly equipping themselves for the work,
is one of many proofs of their value and feasibility.
Especially is there evidence that the genuine interest of
the children has been aroused.
Masses Training EprSelf-Expression.
It is only sober realism to state that before the present
century is half over great masses of our children will be
trained in musical self-expression, according to their
talents, and without regard to the wealth or social stand-
ing of their parents. Free and intelligent citizens of the
world of music, a single one of them will be a greater
gain to the art than scores of ditty-thumping Little Nells.
As for the boy friends, those who have a voice will
stijl employ k in song, while those who have not will
more likely be found enjoying themselves with a clarinet,
cornet, flute or saxophone, and at the piano.
When boys and girls can play the piano and derive
pleasure therefrom, as they will, there will still, or again,
be the happy gatherings in the home, albeit of a little
different and, musically at least, of a finer character.
Yours .very truly,
C. M. TREMAINE,
Director.
TRADE MUCH BETTER
AT MEYER & WEBER'S
T. F. Weber, Head of the House, Feels Greatly
Encouraged Over Improved Conditions.
"Trade is coming in a good deal livelier lately than for
a long time past," said Traugott F. Weber, head of
Meyer & Weber, piano dealers in the National Carbon
Building,. Chicago, last week to a Presto-Times repre-
sentative. "In fact, so much so that I feel greatly
encouraged. I'm sure the worst period is past, not to
return. Our Stieff instruments are going fine."
Carl Weber, son and partner in the firm, is going
out on his late fall hunting trip soon, into the wilds of
far northern Ontario—hunting for moose.
As is customary, there will be three in the party,
the other two members being Harry C. Phibbs, pub-
lisher of a magazine, 28 East Huron Street, Chicago,
and Dr. Hans Nachtigall, 2742 North Clark Street, Chi-
cago. (Nachtigall is German for nightingale.) These
men will have the same Indian guide who has led them
through the wilderness for several years past.
A FOOTBALL SEASON WINNER.
A timely offering in orchestra rolls is "The Cheer
Leader," a selection of eleven favorite college marches.
This college-classic, for all styles of pianos, orches-
trions and calliaphones, is offered by the Clark Or-
chestra Roll Co., De Kalb, 111. On this number you
hear the same stirring tunes that resound through
some of the nation's greatest stadiums. "It will
smash the line for a musical touchdown," says the fall
catalog now being distributed by the Clark Orches-
tra Roll Co.
Here's the lineup: "The Cheer-Leader"—R. E., Illi-
nois Loyalty March; R.. T., Notre Dame Victor
March; R. G., Go LI Northwestern; C, Across the
Field (Ohio State): L. G., On Iowa; L. T., Hail
Purdue; L. E., Our Chicago; Q. B., Hail Minnesota;
R. H. B., Cardinal and Gold (Southern California);
L. H. B., Indiana Loyalty March; F. B., On Wis-
consin.
October 1, 1929
G. LAUGHEAD'S LECTURE
TO THE PIANO CLUB
Declares Himself in Favor of Adding Radio to the
Club's Name and Increasing the Membership.
At the close o! a recent noonday luncheon of the
Piano Club of Chicago when every man with an idea
was supposed to have presented his thoughts, Gordon
Laughead of Wurlitzer's,
in response to the question,
"Has a n y o n e else a
thought to offer?" said in
a rather jocose manner
that he would like to
speak for about "thirty or
forty minutes" to express
himself on a subject near
his heart, whereupon a
member suggested that he
be given thirty or forty
seconds as the luncheon
time was drawing near to
a close.
He was g l a d l y wel-
comed to the floor, but his
auditors were treated to a
stimulating surprise when,
GORDON T.AUGHEAn.
in a burst of eloquence
lasting more than twenty
minutes, he declared that all the club members, includ-
ing himself, were slacking along, side-tracking things of
the utmost importance instead of getting out in the battle
line and fighting for up-to-date conquests. It was a
scathing lecture, but as the fur flew he did not spare
himself from the scalpel of criticism.
If, as he believed, the club was not functioning with
vigorous vitality under its present name, "the Piano
Club of Chicago," why not change the name and get
the word "Radio" in it and go out after radio manufac-
turers and dealers for'membership. The speaker said he
knew a number of good fellows among radio men who
would unquestionably be glad to join the club under a
change of name to include some such title as "the Piano
and Radio Club of Chicago" or "Music Trade and
Radio Club" or some similar appellation in which the
name Radio would appear.
His speech was just what the club needed, and Mr.
Laughead was warmly applauded for his plain talk.
FALL TRADE OUTLOOK
GOOD AT LEXINGTON
Chat with J. P. Simmons of the Kentucky City
Brings Out Interesting Points.
A correspondent of Presto-Times had an interesting
confab last week with J. P. Simmons of Lexington, Ky..
and learned that he has put in a strenuous summer's
work and has managed to do considerable piano and
radio business. However, with him the outlook for fall
and winter seems very good, especially in radios, al-
though there is also an increasing activity in pianos.
Radios have completely "done for" the phonograph, Mr.
Simmons comments.
At present there are only three active music stores
in Lexington. These are the Templeman Piano Com-
pany, handling the Steinway, Kurtzmann, Kranich &
Bach, Milton, Brinkerhoff; the Candioto Piano Com-
pany, handling the Lester, Schubert, Becker Bros, and
Cable & Sons ; the Donald B. Neal, handling the Wur-
litzer and Starck lines, and a special sale now and then
on second-hand pianos bought in New York and Chicago
in carload lots.
Mr. Simmons is now connected with Candioto's piano
department, and is also selling radios. He has the
Majestic and the R. C. A., the Philco and the Crosley
lines. This summer he helped out Otto B. Heaton of
Columbus and Ernest G. Philpitt of Miami to increase
membership in the National Association of Music Mer-
chants. Lexington is a wonderful city to live in, al-
though men living in more driving cities may miss some
of the distractions of their home towns.
ORCHESTRA LEADER CONTINUES.
The Chicago People's Symphony Orchestra announces
the re-engagement of P. Marinus Paulsen as conductor
for the season 1929-30. This marks the beginning of his
fourth year with this orchestra. Under Mr. Paulsen's
capable leadership, the People's Symphony Orchestra
has become one of the ranking institutions of Chicago
and it wields no little influence in the world of music.
The opening concert will take place Sunday, October 27.
at the Stevens Eighth Street Theater, and the season will
extend well into April.
CAPEHART ATLANTA DEALER.
The Radio Wholesale Corporation, 608-610 Bonna
Anna Building, has become Capehart dealer in At-
lanta, handling Capehart Orchestropes.
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