Music Trade Review

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VOL. XVI. No. 18.
published Every Saturday.
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ffeu/ Yorl^, December 10,1892.
presto ! before I could realize it I was set down
close by the Decker & Son factory. When Mr.
Myron A. Decker arrived in his office, after
parting with his friend Evans, I was enjoying a
little conversation with Frank C. Decker on
various matters relating to business. The Ellip-
tic Scale has turned out to be a very profitable in-
vention beyond question.
The Decker & Son
agents everywhere report the styles made in
this special scale to be in great demand.
Mr. Frank C. Decker looks in excellent health
and spirits after his trip westward, while Mr.
Decker, senior, also looks as if he will live
to celebrate the centenary of the Decker & Son
piano. That the manufacture of these fine in-
PIANO WAREROOMS IN HOLIDAY DRESS—MUSI- struments is conducted by skilled and conscien-
CAL FURNISHINGS—DECKER & SON—A CHAT
tious men is alone apparent in their finish in
WITH FRANK C. DECKER—ADVERTIS-
the smallest particulars. The Decker & Son piano
ING A PIANO—MUSIC AT GOULD'S
is unquestionably one of the most thoroughly
FUNERAL—CHRISTMAS
and honestly made instruments in the trade.
PRESENTS.
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HEPPE & SONS VIBRAPHONE—AWARDS—GIVING
Here is a startling and unique advertisement
AWAY PIANOS—CARL FISCHER'S EXHIBITS—
which appeared in the " for sale " department of
AN OLD AMERICAN
a St. Louis paper three Sundays ago : " Hand-
UPRIGHT.
some Grand Upright Piano, containing the full
number of strings and tones. Warranted ivory-
HE warerooms are taking on a holiday ap- handled keys ; no pressed potato celluloid busi-
pearance, and while business is reported to ness. Thirteen notes in the octave. Dark rose-
be very quiet, there was never such a fine and wood finish, looks fine night or day. Contains
varied exhibition of pianos shown in New York a nickel plate on the action and patented steel
as there will be during the coming Christmas strings in every tone. Tunes up to any key.
season. I notice that there is a growing and A dead bargain, $210. The owner giving up
commendable tendency to give piano warerooms
a refined and artistic atmosphere, in keeping house."
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with the characteristics of the " household
Last
Tuesday's
Press
contained
a
very able,
orchestra." I think that Hardman, Peck & Co.
descriptive
account
of
the
ceremonies
gone
were among the first to set the example in this
through
at
the
obsequies
of
Gould.
After
re-
direction when they opened their place on
ferring
to
the
remarkable
assemblage
of
money
Fifth avenue. It takes a refined feminine hand
to drape a picture, mantel or piano tastefully, kings present and the mechanical rendering of
but there are not a few piano salesmen who have Christian text the writer says : '' Meantime the
recently cultivated this art with considerable organ of the size and tone that only millionaires
can have in their houses, and only millionaires
success.
with big houses at that, poured out the notes of
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In the Christmas number of the Ladies Home Cardinal Newman's ecstasy of faith : ' Keep
Joutnal Mrs. Morris Hunt gives some very in- thou my feet, I do not ask to see the distant
teresting hints on Christmas gifts : '' The music scene ; one step enough for me,' and his ecstasy
corner furnishes a wide field for selection. A of contrition in the same hymn, ' Pride ruled
piano seems the most munificent of gifts, and the my steps. Remember not past years.' " Later
things which may accompany it are unlimited on he continues : " The deep toned cathedral
in variety. Scarfs, draperies or covers of any clock in the parlor had chimed 4 just five
kind, which serve the double purpose of ornamen- minutes before Dr. John R. Paxton, the dead
tation and protection,claim first notice. A cabinet man's pastor, arose from his seat in the rear
for music, carved stool or chair, piano lamp, or doorway from the parlor to the hall, and an-
new lamp shade for those who already possess nounced in a strange, incongruous master of
the lamp, portfolio for the music which is left ceremonies kind of way, the singing of the
The
lying about—any or all of these things add to anthem, 'There is a Land Immortal.'
organ
at
the
foot
of
the
great
stairway
began
to
the comfort of the musical member of the
throb
and
tremble
with
the
sacred
strains,
the
household, and to the beauty of the music
four singers beside it took up the notes, and
corner."
the
millionaires and their retainers listened. "
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I noticed Mr. Evans, of Newby & Evans, and
At
the
busy
warerooms
of
Wheelock
& Co.,
the veteran, Myron A. Decker, of Decker & Son,
23
and
25
E.
14th
street,
they
have
a
quaint
last Monday, waiting for a car at Harlem Bridge.
Both were enjoying a cordial chat. They specimen of the first attempt to make upright
boarded the same car as ' The Reviewer, " and pianos in this country. The instrument is a
f
J3.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
" Nunns & Clark " made on the cabinet princi-
ple. Mr. Lazelle knows its value as a curiosity,
but is willing to sell it for a reasonable price, on
its merits, for it still possesses musical value.
An old " Stodart " upright is among their
second-hand stock. It is an instrument made
on the English lines of a half-ft-century ago.
What my estimable and pushing friend W. D.
Lazelle does not know about the value of pianos
is not worth knowing. I confess to having a
great admiration for his business and personal
qualities.
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The patented tone-improver just brought out
by C. J. Heppe & Son, of Philadelphia, is said
to be a very successful invention. The "Vibra-
phone, " as it is called, may be attached to any
piano without much mechanical trouble. It is
used in sets of three or four, varied in size. It
would be impossible to give an idea of the Vi-
braphone without an illustration, and this will
doubtless be given at some time in the other
columns.
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It now looks as if awards will be issued at
the World's Fair, whether the majority of the
members of the music trades like it or not.
What can be done under the circumstances ?
Nothing, only to discredit their practical value.
The result will be looked forward to with much
interest.
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Millionaire Crouse, who died last week, was
very partial to music, although strongly ad-
dicted to horses. Many curious stories are told
about him. I am told that in the palatial stables
erected for his cattle he has several music-boxes
of the most elaborate description, and the horses
seem to appreciate the music they produce.
When he was told last April that a piano was
required for his institute in Syracuse, he
promptly purchased six uprights of the best
description and had them sent there, to the
astonishment of everybody.
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Carl Fischer, of 6 Fourth avenue will take a
very pronounced part in the musical exhibits at
the Exposition. He will have charge of the
band and orchestra products of F. Besson & Co.,
Baffet clarinets made by Evette & Schaeffer,
Paris, Collen-Mezin violins, and the Boehm
flutes and piccolos manufactured by E. Ritter-
hausem & Co., of Berlin. He will have a large
and interesting showing of these various instru-
ments, and he will have them set off in the most
attractive manner possible.
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Here is rather a good story : A music critic
of a daily newspaper was called away on do-
mestic business, so he turned over his duties for
one night to the sporting man of the staff, who
undertook to report a classical concert. This
was the outcome:
Time was called about eight o'clock, and about
fifty bugles, fifes and fiddles entered for the con-
{Continued on page 375.