ANNIVERSARY
CONGRATULATIONS
Presto Music Times is most grateful for the large number
of congratulatory letters and messages received in connection
with its Sixtieth Anniversary and its Anniversary Edition.
These messages and letters came from every section of the
United States, from manufacturers, wholesalers, and dealers,
as well as from artists and persons who are interested in
things musical. We also received some interesting letters from
Canada, one from Mexico City, one from Puerto Rico, and
one from Hungary.
Several letters mentioned in particular the editorial, "Ten
New Years! What?" We are pleased to know that this editorial
was carefully studied by some of our readers.
Presto Sees Mighty Changes
There were a number of writers who have been in the
music business for many years who, according to their letters,
enjoyed the historical articles covering some of the activities
of Presto Music Times for the last sixty years. "What changes
have taken place in the last 60 years," says one letter which
enumerates many of them which I will not present here. But
Presto Music Times has seen the birth of the telephone, the
electric light, the automobile, the airplane, the submarine, the
radio, television, and many other important inventions, to
say nothing of great new processes in many departments of
science and applied arts.
One writer from Boston devoted his whole letter to the
article on "The Home of the First American Piano," and sent
us some most interesting information on the early history of
the piano industry in this country for which we are grateful.
Presto Compared With Fortune
Another writer from the East said "Your Sixtieth Anniver-
sary Edition of Presto Music Times was superb. Its arrangement
of history over this long period with its right-up-to-the minute
feature articles, editorials, and news items make an outstand-
ing issue. The editorial character of the magazine, the quality
of its materials, and the beauty of its design put it in a special
class. What FORTUNE is in the general field Presto Music Times
in in its field."
Artistic Advertising
Presto was greatly pleased with the beauty and uniqueness
of the displays presented by its advertisers. The attractiveness
of the "ads" furnished by manufacturers and dealers of musical
instruments is a feature that helps vitally in the artistic make-
up of our presentation.
Presto desires to congratulate the music trades on the
high quality of their publicity and wants to express its apprecia-
tion of their achievements.
THE AMERICAN ATTITUDE IS DIFFERENT
Bach's Famous Letter To Ludwig
In doing some research work on the life of Johann Sebas-
tian Bach I ran across this letter written by Bach in French in
the year 1721 to Christian Ludwig the ruler of Brandenburg,
Germany. It is most pathetic to Americans to see a man of
the greatness of Bach finding it necessary to be so humble and
having to submit to such "bootlicking" in order to receive
his patronage.
"Monseigneur:
Two years ago when I had the honor of playing before
your royal highness I experienced your condescending interest
in the insignificant talents with which heaven has gifted me
and understood your royal highness' gracious willingness to
accept some pieces of my composition. In accordance with
that condescending command, I take the liberty to present
my most humble duty to your royal highness in these concerti
for various instruments, begging your highness not to judge
them by the standards of your own refined and delicate taste,
but to seek in them, rather, the expression of my profound
respect and very humble obedience. In conclusion, Monseig-
neur, I most respectfully beg your royal highness to continue
your gracious favor toward me and to be assured that there
is nothing I so much desire as to employ myself more worthily
in your service."
Johann Sebastian Bach.
MAY, NINETEEN FORTY
Thanks to the American and French revolutions that kind
of talk has greatly decreased. However, it seems that there
is a revival of such obsequiousness in some sections of the
world today. Art, especially musical art, is so great and uni-
versal that it must not be at the whims and mercy of any one
individual or any small group of individuals. It must always
be free. Let us not only hope, but if necessary, fight to keep
art free and glorious.
A RECORD BREAKING
CONVENTION
All signs point to Chicago for the NAMM Convention in
July. Already more space has been allotted than previously.
There will no doubt be a record-breaking attendance. More
than 100 applications have already been received by Mr. W.
A. Mennie, secretary of the NAMM, from manufacturers and
distributors for show space. This will require more than 200
rooms at the Hotel Stevens.
The Committee On Space
The Committee for drawing and allotting exhibit space
recently had a meeting in New York. It was composed of
David Jacobs, of Jacobs Brothers, Philadelphia; Harry Grif-
fith, Griffith Piano Company, Newark, New Jersey; Clarence
Hammond, manager of the Loeser Store Piano Department,
Brooklyn; and Mr. Mennie.
Method of Allotting Space
All applications for exhibit space that were received at
Mr. Mennie's offices were carded and given an identifying
number. These cards, consecutively numbered, were brought
to the meeting and placed in a receptacle. No application could
be identified by the committee. The cards were then placed
in the receptacle and drawn by the attending dealers and as
each was taken out it was given an identifying number in
the order drawn. Following this the committee arranged the
cards in groups, according to the number of rooms applied
for. In this manner, each card in the highest number of rooms
was given preference in the numerical order drawn from the
receptacle. Every inch of exhibit space from the lounge at
the Hotel Stevens just above the lobby right up to and in-
cluding the 6th floor was assigned. Then the committee as-
signed exhibit space on the 7th floor and it is believed that
practically all of this floor will also be taken over by the
trade show.
The same general procedure of assigning space and group-
ing piano manufacturers and musical merchandise concerns,
etc., on the various floors, was followed.
Chicago awaits the Convention with enthusiasm. Presto
Music Times feels certain that every person attending the
Convention will have both a profitable and enjoyable time.
AUDITORIUM HAS FAMOUS MUSICAL
HISTORY
On Wednesday evening, April 17, Laurence Olivier
brought his own elaborate production of Shakespeare's
"Romeo and Juliet" to the Auditorium theater for an engage-
ment sternly limited to two and a half weeks. Mr. Olivier
appears as Romeo and Vivien Leigh, of "Gone With the Wind"
fame, as Juliet.
"Romeo and Juliet," in one form or another, has played
an important role in the history of the Auditorium Theater.
Fifty years ago last December Gounod's operatic version of
the Shakespeare tragedy was given as the first stage produc-
tion in the then brand new house, with Adelina Patti as Juliet.
In January, 1924, Amelita Galli-Curci, having fallen out with
the Chicago Civic Opera company management, sang her last
performance with the company in the same opera. Five years
later, when the Civic Opera company was preparing to move
into its new quarters in the Civic Opera house, "Romeo and
Juliet" with Charles Hackett and Edith Mason, was again
presented as a farewell to the historic home of opera in
Chicago.
PAGE
THIRTEEN
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/