Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
404
ENTERPRISE OF MASON & RISCH.
THE VOCALION ORGAN. WONDERFUL TONE EFFECTS.
THE GREAT PIANO-MAKERS OF TORONTO GAIN NEW
LAURELS BY THEIR MARVELLOUS IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE "VOCALION." J. W. CURRIER
THEIR RIGHT-HAND MAN IN THE NEW
AND IMPORTANT DEPARTURE.
MONG the many modern triumphs in musical
mechanism must be mentioned the Vocation
organ. Its present close approximation to per-
fection is largely the result of the investigations set on
foot by Messrs. Mason & Risch, of Worcester, Mass.>
and Toronto, Canada, who recently purchased the Vo-
calion plant.
The objects served by the Vocalion include the sup-
plying to the musical public of an instrument occupying
a place between the reed organ and the higher kinds of
pipe organ.
The changes introduced into this novel form of in-
strument by the above mentioned firm have been
effected within a very few months. Nevertheless, they
have proved to be of the most important character both
in regard to tone quality and general construction; so
much so that the trade are now offered a Vocalion
organ possessing, in every detail, the highest degree of
excellence yet attained.
No instrument will in future be more sought after
than the Vocalion, as improved by Mason & Risch, for
the purposes of churches, chapels, chancels, choral
societies, schools, lodges, musical assemblies and, most
important of all, homes.
Undoubtedly the Vocalion organ agency is among
the most valuable agencies that can be secured by any
firm in the trade.
Mr. J. W. Currier, whose New York address is No.
18 East Seventeenth street, and to whom application
should be made for information as to prices and terms,
is well-known among the music trades of America. To
him Messrs. Mason & Risch are largely indebted for
the great advances latterly made by the Vocalion, and
for the generally improved and remodeled condition
of that instrument. Mr. Currier has for nearly a
quarter of a century closely studied the phenomena of
tone and sound in their relation to musical instruments,
and has reduced his theories to a very practical point.
Among other results of his prolonged thought and
labor he has, in conjunction with Mr. Morris S. Wright,
superintendent of the Vocalion factory, established a
department in which may be decided the exact tone
quality best adapted to and to be created from any
given reed.
A
utmost subduement and the most delicate modifications.
7. Convenience in size.
8. Extreme moderateness of price.
9. Absolute power to withstand climatic influences.
As a purely musical instrument the Vocalion is des-
tined to fill a high and special position in the trade and
profession.
The fame of Mason & Risch, though enhanced by
their successful efforts in regard to the Vocalion, does
not of course depend entirely upon the results of those
efforts. As is well known throughout the United States
and the Canadas, they have won a distinguished repu-
tation as piano manufacturers. It was from this house
that the immortal Liszt purchased two pianos—a grand
and an upright—with which he was so highly delighted
as to express his appreciation by presenting the firm
with a life-size and specially executed painting of himself
by the famous artist Baron Jakowsky, the only portrait
c f himself ever ordered by him. This splendid gift and
unique specimen of the portrait painter's art now
adorns the Toronto warerooms of Messrs. Mason &
Risch.
The Toronto establishment of Messrs. Mason &
Risch is presided over by Mr. Robert S. Gourlay, whose
honorable connection with the house has remained un-
broken during nineteen years. This able and courteous
gentleman is also interested with Messrs. Mason &
Risch in their American enterprise.
What with their own enterprise and energy, and the
aid of such splendid acousticians, theorists and practical
experts as Messrs. J. W. Currier and Morris S. Wright,
Messrs. Mason & Risch may reasonably anticipate a
long era of prosperity and a lasting name among the
music trade.
Mr. Currier extends to the trade and profession a
courteous invitation to visit him at his office in East
Seventeenth street. N . Y., where he will at all times
take pleasure in exhibiting the Vocalion, and in explain-
ing the details of that astonishing instrument.
manner, together with a complete and exact description
of every detail of the instrument; also of the pivot
action used in style 8, the socket action used in style 9,
and the double-repeating action used in styles to, i r , 12
and 13.
On the whole, it is evident from the Schubert cata-
logue, as also from the experiences of countless pur-
chasers, that investors in these pianos secure an ample
and highly satisfactory return in the shape of construc-
tion, tone, style and finish.
In the building of the Schubert pianos the most su-
perior materials—selected by Mr. Duffy, himself an ex-
perienced and practical piano-maker, in person, and paid
for with spot cash—are used. Many improvements have
been introduced into these instruments,which are without
the shadow of a doubt thoroughly constructed, attrac-
tive in appearance and most reasonable as regards price.
We congratulate the Schubert Company upon their
remarkable and rapidly-acquired fame, and trust that
they will press on to yet greater achievements, though it
is almost too much to expect them to surpass their won-
drous exploit of forcing all the music trade editors into
a perfect and enthusiastic chorus of approval concerning
the merits and beauties of the Schubert Piano.
PEEK & HOCKMAN.
O
NE of the most enterprising firms engaged in sell-
ing pianos in the State of New Jersey is that of
Messrs. Peek & Hock man of Red Bank. They
are young men, full of life, courage and enthusiasm,
strict in their manner of doing business, and having the
confidence of the public in the territory they operate in.
They control the agency for several counties for the
'opera" piano manufactured by Peek & Son, New York.
Mr. Henry Peek, the senior partner, until recently has
been operating alone, arid, during the past five years has
sold several hundreds of their popular instruments; he is
a hard worker, a good salesman, and a fine pianist; and,
socially, has many friends who assist him very greatly in
THE SCHUBERT PIANO CO.. NEW YORK.
introducing his instruments.
Mr. Hockman has recently sold out his interest in
THEIR NEW CATALOGUE.
the grain business, and invested his capital with Mr.
NE of two things must be true of the "Schubert"
Peek. He will devote his whole lime and attention to
piano. Either it is a most excellent instrument, the financial and office management of the business,
or the opinions of the entire music trade press of
while Mr. Peek will continue to give his attention to
the United States are not worth three scrapes on a tin the selling and placing of the instruments. Their terri-
fiddle. For it is abundantly clear from a perusal of
tory is large and productive. With energy, plenty of
these opinions that the brainy trade editors are united
capital, and a good instrument there is no reason why
in the closest bonds of amity so far as the "Schubert" the success of the new firm should not be assured.
piano is concerned.
The following is a brief resum^ of the advantages
The Schubert Piano Co., manufacturers of upright
possessed by the improved Vocalion:
pianos. New York, have issued their ninth annual cata-
PATENTS AND INVENTIONS.
1. It commands an extraordinary volume of tone, the logue, an interesting work, and one that will be hailed
carrying quality being sufficient to fill the largest halls by dealers who, during their summer vacations, feel the
Clarionet, No. 403,065, R. Orsi.
and churches. This is due to the large reed chambers necessity of sandwiching a little entertaining literature
Cornet, No. 402,721, C. G. Conn.
that act like sounding boards in their sympathetic vibra- between the more serious operations of sea-bathing,
Piano-forte action, No. 402,735, S. Hansing
tion with each individual reed.
fishing and other standard methods of corpse-revivifica-
Transposing key board, No. 403,306, S. Tanaka.
2. The air passing through the reed chambers is more tion. It contains an account of the causes which have
led to the popularity and success of the Schubert piano,
Musical Instrument, No. 403,481, E. R. Norcross.
equally distributed than is the case in other organs.
3. The tone of each set of reeds has a more distinct first manufactured in 1880 by the present head of the
Music leaf turner, 403,792, T. W. Tetley.
Company, Mr. Peter Duffy; the building, in 1887, of the
character when heard at a distance from the Vocalion
Mechanical musical instrument, No. 403,834, W. H.
seven-story factory; and the erection (now in progress)
than when listened to near it.
Gilman.
4. The reeds are, especially in regard to certain sets, of a new factory of more than double the capacity of
Piano plate, No. 403,583, Paul G. Mehlin.
the present quarters.
remarkably pipe-like in tone.
Musical
skipping rope, No. 403,556, L. Ritchie.
5. The most wondrous combinations in registration
Then we have various illustrations of some of these
Bridge for stringed instruments, No. 403,743, M.
are possible in the two or three manual Vocalion with
popular pianos, including styles 8, 9 and 10, the " Bou-
the two and a half octave pedal base.
doir" and Cabinet Grand, in rosewood, mahogany, wal- Durick.
6. Novelty of tone effects as added to the great power nut and oak, with carvings, mouldings, engravings and
Indicator for pianos and organs, No. 403,906, L W.
of the instrument, this power being susceptible of the frettings executed in the most exquisite and perfect
Blasius.
O
AHLSTROM PIANOS.
ESTABLISHED 1875.
The Vocalion Organ,
R e l i a b l e A g e n t s W a n t e d for these incomparable instruments, which
possess many valuable improvements not found in pianos of any other make.
Specially adapted as leaders, and sold exclusively as First Grade Instruments.
C. A. AHLSTROM,
MANUFACTURER,
\os.
113, 114 & 116 East »tl Street
JAMESTOWN, N. Y.
THE MOST IMPORTANT AND ARTISTIC INVENTION IN THE MUSICAL
WORLD OF THE XlXth CENTURY.
Having the power and tonal-quality of a Pipe Organ,
Costing half as much, ami occupying one-fifth the space.
PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR CHURCHES, HALLS, SCHOOLS AND ORGAN STUDENTS.
Dealers visiting ^e"w York are cordially invited to near it.
or J. w. CURRIER, is E. 17th st. N. 7. city.
For Agency or Catalogue, address,
MASON & RISCH, Worcester, Mass.