Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
THR££ WONDERFUL
BOYS.
precocious ^ i l d r ^ 9 U/I?os Startled tl?e people of B CHICAGO,
AUGUST 16th,
1893.
EDITOR MUSIC TRADE REVIEW :
Visitors to the Fair on Saturday were treated
not only to a sight of the famous Bohemian
composer, Dr. Antonin Dvorak, but had the rare
pleasure of hearing him in his great symphony
by an orchestra of his own choosing. The im-
pression he created as a conductor was not of
the most pleasing kind, but he succeeded in
emphasizing by his direction, the good opinion
heretofore entertained of his compositions.
Another who also appeared as composer and
conductor was Mr. V. J. Hlavac, one of the jury
on musical instruments. He presented two
numbers which increased the good opinion he
has gained among musical people here.
Mr. R. Huntington Woodman, organist of the
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, has
been giving organ recitals in Festival Hall dur-
ing the past week, winning warm praise from
all lovers of this instrument.
The Old Stoughton Society, of Massa-
chusetts, gave concerts in Music Hall Monday,
yesterday and to-day, consisting of hymns from
all the composers who were in days gone by
so popular in New England. The singers ap-
peared in costumes to enhance the historical
interest in the event. The conductor of the
society is Edwin A. Jones, one of Massachu-
setts' young musicians, a native of Stoughton.
This society, the oldest of its kind in this
country, was organized in 1786.
Mr. Walter Holmes, manager of the Bradbury
piano house of New York, has been visiting the
Fair, renewing old and making new acquaint-
ances and friends. Of the Exposition he said :
" You may put me down as saying it is im-
mense, it is grand, it is glowing and will live
in the memory of all who were fortunate
enough to see it, as long as life lasts."
The nominations of George Steck and Dr. F.
Ziegfeld as musical judges were confirmed, but
there seems to be no certainty that the former
will serve. The board, as it now stands, is M.
Prosper Samal, United States; Baron C. Pilar
von Pilchan, Austria; M. Gaston Bodart,
France; M. V. J. Hlavac, Russia; Herr Max
Scheidmayer, Germany; Senoita Esmerelder
Cervantes, Turkey; Mrs. M. Hamilton, Utah ;
George Steck, New York ; Dr. Hugh A. Clarke,
Pennsylvania; E. P. Carpenter, Massachusetts;
Dr. F. Ziegfeld, Illinois. From these will be
selected seven names, to form the jury on
pianos, organs, etc., as follows : Schiedmayer,
Hlavac, Steck, Ziegfeld, Dr. H. Clarke, E. P.
Carpenter and Mrs. Hamilton.
Mr. P. J. Healy says business is unprece-
dently dull, while some of the Wabash avenue
dealers claim to be doing splendidly, but the
general tenor of reports bears out Mr. Healy's
opinion. The trade is hit hard by the financial
stress now prevailing. So much money has been
withdrawn from circulation, that it would be
wonderful if trade in luxuries did not wane,
even though necessities held up well.
Yours, etc.,
HARRY MANNING.
COMSTOCK, CHENEY & Co., Essex, Conn.,
report business in a very flourishing condition,
and expect to run on extra time the end of this
month with an extra force.
fr& have had three wonderful boys in
Berlin this ^winter. The one best
known to America is Josef Hoffmann. After
having broken down his health in concettising
through America, his parents brought him here
to recuperate. That he is fully restored the
hosts of admirers of that singularly winning
child will be glad to know. Now he is study-
ing diligently and will, I hope, return to }'ou
before many years—not a child wonder, but an
artist. He has changed much since he left you.
His childish face has become much more
thoughtful, he is taller and wears long trousers.
Last week I attended a private concert, at which
he played some of his own compositions. He
came out quietly and bowed to the rather small
audience before taking his seat at the piano.
He was greeted with no applause, and I fancied
I discovered a suspicion of a smile around the
corners of his mouth as he glanced calmly over
the heads of that assemblage that had greeted
him so coldly, with his American triumphs still
fresh in his memory, but it was only a suspi-
cion—then he began playing. When he finished
his sonata and rose from the piano, the audience
fairly rose with him. He played again an im-
promptn (also his own), which showed the re-
markable talent the boy undoubtedly has. None
is quicker to recognize talent than are these
very Berliners, but they are a mercilessly cold
audience towards a stranger. He may appear
before them with ever so winning a bow and
they remain absolutely calm until they see what
he can do. Then, if they think him deserving,
their enthusiasm is boundless.
Another " boy wonder " is the frank, fair-
faced little Raoul Koczalski, a Polish boy of
nine years. He is court pianist to the Czar of
Russia, and his little coat is covered with
orders and medals. He also has a decided talent
for composition, and with such marked national
characteristics as to recall to us the early com-
positions of Chopin. At the close of one of
his concerts here last winter, all the women
pushed and struggled to the front in order to
kiss him. (Did you ever notice with what zest
women kiss wonderful children ?) He stood there
gracefully receiving it all. Finally, one little
woman, finding it impossible to reach him,
threw him a rose. That inspired another to
throw him her breastpin. He took the rose
and smilingly kissed it, and, picking up the
breastpin, with a polite bow, passed it back to
its owner.
The other little boy is a Belgian—Jean Ger-
ardy. He is ten years old and plays the 'cello
like a man. Whether or not he composes, I do
not know, but he is an artist. He made his
debut here at one of Hans Richter's Philhar-
monic concerts and charmed me. I was speak-
ing to our never-to-be-forgotten 'cellist, Adolf
Hartdegan, recently about little Jean. '' Yes,''
he said, " I was asked to hear him, and I was
so tired, oh ! so tired, of these child wonders,
that I looked forward to a stupid morning, but
I was amazed. I was delighted. He is an ar-
tist."—Berlin letter to Louisville Courier-
Journal.
MR. F. G. SMITH has not shut down his piano
factory as rumored, but has laid off a number of
hands.
On pianos and organs she lbs.,
Making strange and mysterious sds.,
And the " copper " calls out
To see what she's about,
As he goes on his cold nighty rds.
Down in a village choir
Sang a maiden whose name was Maroir.
She sang up to A,
Then fainted away
While trying to sing one note hoir.
Mrs. Pharisy, (profoundly shocked)—It is
dreadful to think of England's future king as a
gambler and the associate of men who cheat at
cards. I cannot understand it.
Mr. Pharisy, (somewhat preoccupied)—Can't
understand it? Why, it's perfectly simple.
The banker deals two cards all round, you
know, and every fellow tries to count his cards
9, 19, or 29, or make it as nearly as he can.
Any player can call for more cards after the
first deal, and it's the easiest thing in the world
for a right slick chap to slide his checks along
over—eh—er—urn—you are quite right, my
dear. The depravity of the English aristocracy
is simply appalling.
THE Automaton Piano Co., of New York,
which manufactures a patent antomaton piano
attachment at 31-33 10th avenue, and has an
office at 15 E. 14th street, has become finan-
cially embarrassed. A. B. DeFrece has been
appointed receiver on application of Emile
Klaber, Vice-President and General Manager.
Liabilities, $40,000. Actual assets, $10,000.
HOW A "CROWN"
WAS SOLD.
To all who are lovers of beauty and worth,
And expect for their cash something less than
" t h e earth,"
I wish for their profit, in brief to unfold
How a fine " Crown " Piano was happily sold :
Receiving one day, through Uncle Sam sent,
A circular signed " Yours sharply, Bent,"
I was tempted to send for an instrument which
Was accorded a praise so clear " above pitch. "
In response to my order it came the next day ;
And that I was pleased, 'tis but justice to say.
Subjected to every reasonable test
It emerged, fully earning its title, "The Best."
In beauty of finish it dazzles the eye ;
In sweetness of tone, no one dare deny
It rivals the purest that ever was drawn
By pipe or by bow, since morning's first dawn.
I am told the " Crown " organs, too, stand at
the head,
And so, to conclude, what more need be said ?
If, " t h e best is the cheapest," you may well
rest content
That it pays to buy from Geo. P. Bent.