Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
predictions about all the trade, even including
its contemporaries, predictions which of course
were never realized, and were never made in the
belief that they would be. Another might claim
to convince the trade they were getting too
much for their money, and that he can give
them plenty of his grotesque sort for half the
money, and put them to sleep at the same
price.
And ourselves ? Well, we strive to embody
the most advanced theories of modern journal-
ism, omitting all which does not reach a high
standard, and then we claim to possess original
features. A distinguished French journalist
was once asked, "What is the secret of success
in journalism ? " He replied, "The news and
one new idea in each issue.''
True, and the success of T H E MUSIC TRADE
may be attributed to the fact that it has
constantly presented to its readers new and
original theories, both in its editorial and ad-
vertising columns. So it has gone on holding
old friends, making new ones and gaining
weekly a stronger adherence from the music
trade from Maine to Mendicino. We can safely
promise our friends that our campaign for '93
will be marked by a steady support of the same
principles which have made this newspaper in-
stitution a power among class journals. Our
pathway will be blazed by notches here and
there which will mark still further advance in
the unexplored country.
To our friends we say Christmas greeting, and
express thanks for the stocking, well filled with
advertising patronage, which is suspended in
our sanctum. There are yet a few wrinkles in
the pedal garment' to round out, and by a little
crowding we can still find room for a few more
choice morsels.
To our contemporaries we say Christmas greet-
ing, and trust that the yule logs burn brightly
with them. Merry Christmas, everybody !
REVIEW
F. MUEHLFELD & Co. are exceedingly pleased
with the outlook for this season's trade, and the
reports from their various agencies throughout
the country.
THE notices that have appeared in our local
as well as our music trade papers, during the
past month, to the effect that Kirk, Johnson &
Co. had disposed of their interest in the music
business in Lancaster, Pa., turns out to have been
premature, as all negotiations tending to that
end are off; consequently, the firm will con-
tinue to do business the same as before such re-
ports were circulated.
THE '' Elliptic Scale '' pianos of Decker &
Son are meeting with deserved success, and the
demand for them is ever increasing. Frank
Decker has returned from a very satisfactory
trip on the road.
AT the factory of F. Connor, 134th street and
Southern Boulevard, the call for pianos is great
enough to keep all hands busy, and, as a large
number of men are employed in the four story
factory, this means a great deal. While in the
building, we saw three extra fancy mahogany
case pianos made for Mr. I/ally, of Holyoke,
Mass ; they are to be Christmas presents to Mr.
Lally's three grandchildren, and the pianos are
fine specimens of the piano-maker's art. The
order for the instruments came through Larkin
Bros., agents for the Connor pianos, Holyoke,
Mass. A beautiful style 8, oak case piano, was
recently sent to the Right Rev. A. Brownrig,
Bishop of Ossary, Kilkenny, Ireland.
Continued from first page.
embodying the principal educational and inter-
esting features of the groups and classes com-
posing that department, accompanied by a list
of exhibitors who have received awards, with the
reasons and considerations therefor.
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The calendar just brought out by Decker
Brothers is very artistic, and is the most attrac-
tive I have yet seen. It attracts one immediately.
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The Indicator calls the attention of its readers
to an establishment called the New England Fur-
niture & Carpet Company of Minneapolis, which
has been corresponding with piano firms on the
subject of cheap pianos. They do a miscellan-
eous business and are anxious to include the
latter. They are prepared to sell an instrument
that would cost them from $100 to $125, but they
want a piano '' that will give us the least trouble
and a good first-class article for the money.''
That shows a light upon a phase of the wholesale
trade which rarely comes into the province of
the press. The Indicator thinks that the '' New
England Stove and Tinware Company," as it
styles the Minneapolis concern, "will probably
find that there is one trade they can't break into,''
but it is evident that Hayden Brothers, of Omaha,
and many other general goods dealers throughout
the country have broken into the piano trade
with some results, and what are you to do about
it?
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World's Fair matters have become so localized
that we must look up to the Chicago press for
all information in that direction. And the
criticisms emenating from that city must also be
accepted with more respect than from outside
sources, for the World's Fair is Chicagoan and
we are nowhere. The Indicator knows a thing
or two when it says that: '' When it becomes
generally understood that there is to be a gen-
eral free fight for awards in the music trade de-
partment of the fair, there will be a scramble
for positions as judges. An enterprising, wide-
awake judge ought to be able to acquire a com-
petency in a few days if he works it right."
Furthermore that authority remarks in its most
piquant manner: " I t is proposed to pay
World's Fair judges from $6 to $10 per day.
What's the use of paying them anything ? Ten
dollars a day to a man who will expect the
manufacturers to pay him $1,000 a minute will
look rather small."
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The '' trade '' department of Sport, Music and
Drama, under the new editorial purveyor, is not
strikingly original in point of news. Mr. Neu*
man's abilities are not displayed in that direc-
tion with such remarkable results as he himself
imagines. He began his career somewhat in-
toxicated by the complimentary references of
a certain music trade organ, but he forgot to
note that the complimentary references referred
to were merely indulged in to depreciate Mr.
Harry E. Freund's capabilities. At the same
time Mr. Neuman has displayed some ability as
a critic, but his acquaintance with and experi-
ence in the trade field are not such as to warrant
egotism. Meanwhile his fling at Mr. Freund re-
vealed a rather mean disposition in Mr. Neuman.
In the last issue of Spott, Music and Drama nearly
every paragraph has a musty atmosphere, so
ancient is the material. "The Reviewer"
thinks that the laugh is now on the side of Mr.
Freund.
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Here is a good story : Wrapped in his dress-
ing-gown, and with feet encased in slippers,
Franz Liszt was sitting comfortably one evening
in his armchair, ready for work and inviting in-
spiration.
On the floor above, in the apartments of a
banker, a noisy musical soiree was in progress,
Polonaises had succeeded waltzes, and nocturnes
had followed polonaises, when suddenly the door
of the salon opened and Liszt entered, still
wrapped in his dressing-gown. The astonish-
ment of the company may be imagined. With
slow steps Liszt walked towards the piano, and
the young key-pounder who was sitting at it
quickly left his place.
Liszt sat down at the instrument, carelessly
swept his fingers over the keys as if to prelude,
and then suddenly he shut down the cover,
locked it, and put the key in his pocket. And
immediately, with the same tranquil air with
which he had entered, he went out and returned
to his room, where he could work at his ease.
THE REVIEWER.
A MASS meeting of pianoforte makers was re-
cently held at 994 Washington street, Boston,
to organize every branch of the business in Bos-
ton. Will apply to the A. F. L- for a charter.
N. G. POST, at his music rooms on Main street,
Essex, Conn., has a new assortment of fine
pianos and organs.
WORD has been received from London that the
Cunard ships " Lucania " and " Catania " will
each be furnished with a Liszt organ, Mason &
Hamlin, makers.
THE Standard Musical String Co., Andover,
N. J., will erect large mills at that place. The
company, with a paid-up capital of $50,000, have
filed articles of incorporation with the Sussex
county clerk.
THE Pennsylvania State Teachers' Association
meets at Reading, Pa., December 27th, 28th,
29th.
CHARLES BALMER, head of the well-known
music house of Balmer & Weber, St. Louis, died
December 15th, aged 75 years.
A testimonial concert will be tendered Mr. E.
A. Le Febre, the world-renowned saxophone
soloist of Gilmore's band, Monday evening,
January 9th, at HardmanHall, Fifth avenue and
Nineteenth street. The following artists will
participate: Miss Ida Klein, soprano; Sig.
Victor Clodio, tenor; Mr. Geo. H. Wiseman,
baritone; Mr. S. Van Praag, violinist; Baron
Otto D. Binger, violoncello; Mr. Harry Rowe
Shelley, piano and organ ; Mr. Richard Percy,
piano, and Mr. E. A. Le Febre, saxophone.
The '' Lyra Banjo and Guitar Club '' has been
organized at Hudson, N. Y., Frank L. Smith,
G. A. Rapp, W. R. Hanna, E. W. Scoville.
A glee club has been organized among the
members of the First Separate Company, Roch-
ester, N. Y., under the direction of R. H. Lan-
sing.
Mr. Elmer E. Bush, formerly of the North-
western orchestra, has received a fine assort-
ment of new dance music for his newly organ-
ized orchestra at Meadville, Pa.
WHEN we stepped into the warerooms of Peek
& Son, Mr. George W. Peek informed us that
the demand for their '' Opera' 'and '' Euterpe ''
pianos was so great, that their factory was com-
pelled to keep going day and night.
NEWBY & EVANS find the demand for their
piano to be, as usual, quite brisk.
Mr. Frederic Dean will preface the New
York Symphony Concert by his explanatory
lecture on the programme, Jan. 5th, in Cham-
ber Music Hall, at 11 o'clock precisely.
Old Lady—"What is that extra about ?"
Old Boy—" A mosquito fell off the Batteiy."
Old Lady—" Dear me, was he much hurt ?"
Old Boy—" No, but he was badly bruised."