Music Trade Review
Issue: 1889 Vol. 13 N. 8 - Page 14
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
BEHNING & SON'S GOOD WORK.
THEIR NEW CATALOGUE—A TRUE RECORIl. OK PRO-
GRESSIVENESS AND PROSPERITY—A FIRM CHARAC-
TERIZED BY ORIGINALITY OF IDEAS AND IN-
DEPENDENCE IN METHODS.
T
the line of the pressure-bar or agraffes, and as near as
praticable to the line of tuning-pins, and of the neces-
sary adaptations of surrounding parts. By this device
are obtained an increase in quantity and an additional
enrichment of quality in the tone of upright pianos,
more especially in the upper rotes. This sounding-
board, and the concave name-board, are clearly illus-
trated by engravings.
Of other noteworthy improvements there are (in up-
rights) the patent extension music desk, repeating
action, and over-strung scale, and (in squares) the
patent shoulder agraffe, veneered bridge and over-
strung bass.
The Behning grand is an instrument of which any
firm might be proud. Not only have its superior merits
been attested by hosts of eminent pianists, but the de-
mand for it has steadily increased until it now covers
about twenty per cent, of the total production of the
house.
In regard to the important question of materials,
Behning & Son keep a stock of over a million feet of
lumber in their yards at the foot of 125th street, N. Y.
Unlike manufacturers of inadequate means and facilities,
they season their own stock, preferring to invest a large
sum of money in this way to relying upon dealers and job-
bei s. Their felts, cloths, leather, hardware, and so forth,
are of the highest grades obtainable in domestic and
foreign markets. In their selection care is exercised as
to adaptability to the climate of this country.
The new catalogue also contains a description of the
Behning factory, a handsome cut of the interior of their
warerooms, a list of medals and awards, hints on the
selection and preservation of a piano, etc., etc. The
illustrations of the several styles of pianos are beauti-
fully executed, conveying an excellent idea as to their
actual appearance.
No dealer or other person visiting the Behning es-
tablishment in 128th street, N. Y., will fail to be im-
pressed with the accuracy of the description and illus-
trations contained in the new catalogue.
HE new catalogue of Messrs. Behning & Son, N.
Y., a copy of which we have just received, is a
handsomely gotten-up, well illustrated, dearly-
written work. While complete in every essential de-
tail, it contains nothing superfluous or redundant. The
minute description and accurate delineation of each
style of instrument, together with some terse and ap-
propriate remarks on the manufacturing methods of
this eminent firm, will give the reader correct ideas of
the construction and merits of the Behning piano.
The house of Behning was founded in r86i. Since
iis foundation, the sole ambition of its members has
been to attain to and maintain the highest standard
of excellence in every branch of their manufacture.
Thus, they have ever been careful to employ the flower
of artizan skill, to use none but the most excellent of
materials and, not least by any means, to maintain a
rigorous, a thorough, and a conscientious supervision
of all work done in their establishment. This super-
vision they are well adapted for, there never having
been a time when all the members of the firm of Behn-
ing & Son were not practical piano-makers, well versed
in every art and mystery of their calling.
That in these high-minded and honorable endeavors
they have been rewarded with distinguished success is
abundantly evidenced by the fact that no fewer than 26,
000 Behning pianos are scattered over the United
States, doing their noble work of refining and elevating
the tastes of our people.
Among the merits of the Behning piano must be
enumerated the following : evenness of scale ; power,
volume, and purity of tone ; susceptibility of action ;
elasticity of touch; beauty of design ; elegance of
finish, and phenomenal durability. These phrases rep-
STEINWAY & SONS' MUNIFICENCE.
resent actual qualities, not empty, unfounded claims.
Consequently the Behning is a pronounced favorite of
professional and amateur musicians throughout the old THEIR SPLENDID GIFTS TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PRO-
TESTANT UNION CHURCH, STEINWAY, LONG ISLAND,
and the new worlds.
N. Y.—EXECUTION OF BENEVOLENT PLANS OF
The Behning piano is manufactured in a great variety
THE LATE C. F. THEODORE STEINWAY.
of styles, among which we may mention the boudoir
upright, the parlor upright (two styles), the cabinet
E print hereunder a letter written by Messrs.
grand (three styles), the baby grand, the parlor grand,
Steinway & Sons, N. Y., to the trustees of the
and the square grand. The woods chiefly used are
Protestant Union Church, Steinway, L. I. The
ebonized, Italian walnut, mahogany, Circassion walnut,
antique oak, cocobola, and rosewood. The fretwork generous offer contained in this communication has
and engraving of the panels of these instruments, and been unanimously accepted by the trustees.
The house of Steinway are as distinguished for their
their ornamentation generally, are most elaborate and
public
spirit and private munificence as for their exalt-
superb. It is doubtful, in fact, if the Behning pianos
ed commercial standing. They enjoy the unfeigned re-
can be excelled in point of exterior beauty.
In regard to interior construction, especial mention spect of their fellow-citizens, the affectionate regard of
must be made of the agraffe attachment, patented by their neighbors, and the unstinted admiration of the
the firm in 1874. The object of this invention is to music trade.
NEW YORK, October 26, 1889.
provide for an improved agrafte in the construction
of square pianofortes. By its aid a singularly clear, To the Trustees of the Protestant Union Church, Siein-
ivay, Long Island City, N. Y.:
full tone is obtained, the tuning of the instrument is
GENTLEMEN: It having for some time become appar-
greatly facilitated, the breaking or snapping of strings ent that the Protestant Union Church building at Stein-
is prevented, and the piano remains in perfect tune for way, Long Island City, is no longer adequate for either
church or Sunday school purposes, and in view of the
an extraordinarily long period.
rapid growth of the number of houses and inhabitants
Another remarkable feature of this firm's work is the of Steinway, we hereby submit to you the following
concave name-board, which is incapable of being scratch- proposition, viz.:
We will donate to said church four lots of ground ioox
ed or touched by the finger-nails, allowing, as it does,
100 feet, at the northeast corner of Ditmars avenge and
of the free use of the player's fingers on the inner keys. Albert
street, valued at $2,500, free and clear of all in-
Then we have the Behning patent sounding-board, cumbrances, known as lots Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in block
consisting of an extension of the sounding-board beyond No. 41, Steinway & Sons' map of property, for the pur-
W
STARR
PIANOS.
pose of having a new church edifice erected thereon
without delay.
We will purchase the present church and the two lots
of ground, lots Nos. 9 and 10 in block No. 42, for the
sum of $2,000 cash, you to retain possession thereof
until the new church is ready for occupation, say until
September 1, 1890, and you to retain all the furniture
and church bell.
We believe that by the proceeds of sale of the old
church property and by the bequest of $5,000 cash in
the last will and testament of the late C. F. Theodore
Steinway (on which we have paid to the Comptroller of
New York $250, the 5 per cent, collateral inheritance
tax, on behalf of the church), and the money now in the
church treasury, sufficient means are now at your dis-
posal to eredt a fine, new, larger church building, with-
out incurring $1 of debt.
In the event of your acceptance of this offer, we
intend to raise the old church building so as to create a
basement at least 12 feet high, furnish the whole build-
ing with all conveniences, annex the adjoining cottage
and lot and to maintain a free kindergarten in said
basement, with ample playgrounds, and also to create
and maintain (to be located in the upper story of the
present church building), a fully equipped library, to be
known as the "Steinway Free Circulating Library," to
be kept open at convenient hours during the day and
evening for the inhabitants of Steinway and also books
to be loaned out free to people's homes. All expenses
to be borne by ourselves.
We will thus carry out a long cherished plan of our
late Mr. C. F. Theodore Steinway, whom death over-
took before he could take the necessary steps himself,
and whose rich library will largely be devoted to com-
plete the " Steinway Free Circulating Library."
We are convinced that by the establishment of this
library and kindergarten the noble work for years done
by those good Samaritans, the ladies connected with the
present church and Sunday school of Steinway, will be
very effectively aided.
In conclusion permit us to state that, in order not to
lose the entire winter season for the above mentioned
purposes, arrangements are now being perfected by
which the proposed "Steinway Free Circulating Libra-
ry" will be opened at convenient temporary quarters
within a few weeks.
Very respectfully yours,
STEINWAY & SONS.
A HAND EXERCISER FOR PIANISTS.
A
SIMPLE device, so small and light that it can be
conveniently carried in the pocket, and designed
to afford ready means for exercising each and
every muscle of the hand and wrist, to attain elasticity
and rapidity of action as well as strength, has been pat-
ented by Mr. G. Hudson Bidwell, of No. 145 West Sixty-
first rtreet, New York city. The device is made with a
light chain or cord, having a stirrup at one end and a
snap hook at the other. For exercising the wrist and fore-
arm, a heavy rubber band, with eyes or rings at the ends,
is connected with the snap hook acd with a bar adapted
to be placed upon the back of the hand or the inner faces
of the fingers, this bar to be held from displacement by
a short band and ring to be grasped by the hand that is
not being exercised. Bands of different degrees of
elasticity are connected with the snap hook, for use as
desired, and a finger cap is provided, which may be
brought into engagement with any of the eyes or rings,
to facilitate the exercising of the individual fingers.
This devise is designed to do away with much of the
annoyance and tedium of piano practice.—Scientific
American.
THE Farrand & Votey Organ Co., Detroit, Mich.,
have given another illustration of their well-k/iown
generosity by offering to erect and donate the use of a
grand pipe organ for the purpose of the coming floral
and musical festival, to be celebrated in Detroit, during
April next.
JAMES M. STARR & CO.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
STARR PIANOS,
Correspondence Solicited.
Send for Catalogues and Prices.
RICHMOND, INDIANA,
WEGMAN
making. Any radical changes in the climate, heat or damDness cannot affect the standing in tone of our
instruments, and therefore challenge the world that ours will excel any other.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
BEHNING & SON'S GOOD WORK.
THEIR NEW CATALOGUE—A TRUE RECORIl. OK PRO-
GRESSIVENESS AND PROSPERITY—A FIRM CHARAC-
TERIZED BY ORIGINALITY OF IDEAS AND IN-
DEPENDENCE IN METHODS.
T
the line of the pressure-bar or agraffes, and as near as
praticable to the line of tuning-pins, and of the neces-
sary adaptations of surrounding parts. By this device
are obtained an increase in quantity and an additional
enrichment of quality in the tone of upright pianos,
more especially in the upper rotes. This sounding-
board, and the concave name-board, are clearly illus-
trated by engravings.
Of other noteworthy improvements there are (in up-
rights) the patent extension music desk, repeating
action, and over-strung scale, and (in squares) the
patent shoulder agraffe, veneered bridge and over-
strung bass.
The Behning grand is an instrument of which any
firm might be proud. Not only have its superior merits
been attested by hosts of eminent pianists, but the de-
mand for it has steadily increased until it now covers
about twenty per cent, of the total production of the
house.
In regard to the important question of materials,
Behning & Son keep a stock of over a million feet of
lumber in their yards at the foot of 125th street, N. Y.
Unlike manufacturers of inadequate means and facilities,
they season their own stock, preferring to invest a large
sum of money in this way to relying upon dealers and job-
bei s. Their felts, cloths, leather, hardware, and so forth,
are of the highest grades obtainable in domestic and
foreign markets. In their selection care is exercised as
to adaptability to the climate of this country.
The new catalogue also contains a description of the
Behning factory, a handsome cut of the interior of their
warerooms, a list of medals and awards, hints on the
selection and preservation of a piano, etc., etc. The
illustrations of the several styles of pianos are beauti-
fully executed, conveying an excellent idea as to their
actual appearance.
No dealer or other person visiting the Behning es-
tablishment in 128th street, N. Y., will fail to be im-
pressed with the accuracy of the description and illus-
trations contained in the new catalogue.
HE new catalogue of Messrs. Behning & Son, N.
Y., a copy of which we have just received, is a
handsomely gotten-up, well illustrated, dearly-
written work. While complete in every essential de-
tail, it contains nothing superfluous or redundant. The
minute description and accurate delineation of each
style of instrument, together with some terse and ap-
propriate remarks on the manufacturing methods of
this eminent firm, will give the reader correct ideas of
the construction and merits of the Behning piano.
The house of Behning was founded in r86i. Since
iis foundation, the sole ambition of its members has
been to attain to and maintain the highest standard
of excellence in every branch of their manufacture.
Thus, they have ever been careful to employ the flower
of artizan skill, to use none but the most excellent of
materials and, not least by any means, to maintain a
rigorous, a thorough, and a conscientious supervision
of all work done in their establishment. This super-
vision they are well adapted for, there never having
been a time when all the members of the firm of Behn-
ing & Son were not practical piano-makers, well versed
in every art and mystery of their calling.
That in these high-minded and honorable endeavors
they have been rewarded with distinguished success is
abundantly evidenced by the fact that no fewer than 26,
000 Behning pianos are scattered over the United
States, doing their noble work of refining and elevating
the tastes of our people.
Among the merits of the Behning piano must be
enumerated the following : evenness of scale ; power,
volume, and purity of tone ; susceptibility of action ;
elasticity of touch; beauty of design ; elegance of
finish, and phenomenal durability. These phrases rep-
STEINWAY & SONS' MUNIFICENCE.
resent actual qualities, not empty, unfounded claims.
Consequently the Behning is a pronounced favorite of
professional and amateur musicians throughout the old THEIR SPLENDID GIFTS TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PRO-
TESTANT UNION CHURCH, STEINWAY, LONG ISLAND,
and the new worlds.
N. Y.—EXECUTION OF BENEVOLENT PLANS OF
The Behning piano is manufactured in a great variety
THE LATE C. F. THEODORE STEINWAY.
of styles, among which we may mention the boudoir
upright, the parlor upright (two styles), the cabinet
E print hereunder a letter written by Messrs.
grand (three styles), the baby grand, the parlor grand,
Steinway & Sons, N. Y., to the trustees of the
and the square grand. The woods chiefly used are
Protestant Union Church, Steinway, L. I. The
ebonized, Italian walnut, mahogany, Circassion walnut,
antique oak, cocobola, and rosewood. The fretwork generous offer contained in this communication has
and engraving of the panels of these instruments, and been unanimously accepted by the trustees.
The house of Steinway are as distinguished for their
their ornamentation generally, are most elaborate and
public
spirit and private munificence as for their exalt-
superb. It is doubtful, in fact, if the Behning pianos
ed commercial standing. They enjoy the unfeigned re-
can be excelled in point of exterior beauty.
In regard to interior construction, especial mention spect of their fellow-citizens, the affectionate regard of
must be made of the agraffe attachment, patented by their neighbors, and the unstinted admiration of the
the firm in 1874. The object of this invention is to music trade.
NEW YORK, October 26, 1889.
provide for an improved agrafte in the construction
of square pianofortes. By its aid a singularly clear, To the Trustees of the Protestant Union Church, Siein-
ivay, Long Island City, N. Y.:
full tone is obtained, the tuning of the instrument is
GENTLEMEN: It having for some time become appar-
greatly facilitated, the breaking or snapping of strings ent that the Protestant Union Church building at Stein-
is prevented, and the piano remains in perfect tune for way, Long Island City, is no longer adequate for either
church or Sunday school purposes, and in view of the
an extraordinarily long period.
rapid growth of the number of houses and inhabitants
Another remarkable feature of this firm's work is the of Steinway, we hereby submit to you the following
concave name-board, which is incapable of being scratch- proposition, viz.:
We will donate to said church four lots of ground ioox
ed or touched by the finger-nails, allowing, as it does,
100 feet, at the northeast corner of Ditmars avenge and
of the free use of the player's fingers on the inner keys. Albert
street, valued at $2,500, free and clear of all in-
Then we have the Behning patent sounding-board, cumbrances, known as lots Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in block
consisting of an extension of the sounding-board beyond No. 41, Steinway & Sons' map of property, for the pur-
W
STARR
PIANOS.
pose of having a new church edifice erected thereon
without delay.
We will purchase the present church and the two lots
of ground, lots Nos. 9 and 10 in block No. 42, for the
sum of $2,000 cash, you to retain possession thereof
until the new church is ready for occupation, say until
September 1, 1890, and you to retain all the furniture
and church bell.
We believe that by the proceeds of sale of the old
church property and by the bequest of $5,000 cash in
the last will and testament of the late C. F. Theodore
Steinway (on which we have paid to the Comptroller of
New York $250, the 5 per cent, collateral inheritance
tax, on behalf of the church), and the money now in the
church treasury, sufficient means are now at your dis-
posal to eredt a fine, new, larger church building, with-
out incurring $1 of debt.
In the event of your acceptance of this offer, we
intend to raise the old church building so as to create a
basement at least 12 feet high, furnish the whole build-
ing with all conveniences, annex the adjoining cottage
and lot and to maintain a free kindergarten in said
basement, with ample playgrounds, and also to create
and maintain (to be located in the upper story of the
present church building), a fully equipped library, to be
known as the "Steinway Free Circulating Library," to
be kept open at convenient hours during the day and
evening for the inhabitants of Steinway and also books
to be loaned out free to people's homes. All expenses
to be borne by ourselves.
We will thus carry out a long cherished plan of our
late Mr. C. F. Theodore Steinway, whom death over-
took before he could take the necessary steps himself,
and whose rich library will largely be devoted to com-
plete the " Steinway Free Circulating Library."
We are convinced that by the establishment of this
library and kindergarten the noble work for years done
by those good Samaritans, the ladies connected with the
present church and Sunday school of Steinway, will be
very effectively aided.
In conclusion permit us to state that, in order not to
lose the entire winter season for the above mentioned
purposes, arrangements are now being perfected by
which the proposed "Steinway Free Circulating Libra-
ry" will be opened at convenient temporary quarters
within a few weeks.
Very respectfully yours,
STEINWAY & SONS.
A HAND EXERCISER FOR PIANISTS.
A
SIMPLE device, so small and light that it can be
conveniently carried in the pocket, and designed
to afford ready means for exercising each and
every muscle of the hand and wrist, to attain elasticity
and rapidity of action as well as strength, has been pat-
ented by Mr. G. Hudson Bidwell, of No. 145 West Sixty-
first rtreet, New York city. The device is made with a
light chain or cord, having a stirrup at one end and a
snap hook at the other. For exercising the wrist and fore-
arm, a heavy rubber band, with eyes or rings at the ends,
is connected with the snap hook acd with a bar adapted
to be placed upon the back of the hand or the inner faces
of the fingers, this bar to be held from displacement by
a short band and ring to be grasped by the hand that is
not being exercised. Bands of different degrees of
elasticity are connected with the snap hook, for use as
desired, and a finger cap is provided, which may be
brought into engagement with any of the eyes or rings,
to facilitate the exercising of the individual fingers.
This devise is designed to do away with much of the
annoyance and tedium of piano practice.—Scientific
American.
THE Farrand & Votey Organ Co., Detroit, Mich.,
have given another illustration of their well-k/iown
generosity by offering to erect and donate the use of a
grand pipe organ for the purpose of the coming floral
and musical festival, to be celebrated in Detroit, during
April next.
JAMES M. STARR & CO.,
MANUFACTURERS OF
STARR PIANOS,
Correspondence Solicited.
Send for Catalogues and Prices.
RICHMOND, INDIANA,
WEGMAN
making. Any radical changes in the climate, heat or damDness cannot affect the standing in tone of our
instruments, and therefore challenge the world that ours will excel any other.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).