Music Trade Review
Issue: 1894 Vol. 18 N. 35 - Page 5
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
CHARLES BLASIUS.
Older than King Oscar.
Mr.
BLASIUS, the founder of the firm
<3° of Blasius & Son?, Philadelphia, and for
many years its head and guiding spirit, died at
his late residence in Philadelphia on Friday
evening, March 16th. The immediate cause of
his death was paralysis of the heart.
Charles Blasius was one of the historic figures
of the music trade of the Quaker City. He was
a native of Cologne, Germany. He came of a
musical and literary family, his father being a
professor at one of the institutions of learning in
the Fatherland, and his family achieved dis-
tinguished positions in Europe at that time.
He came to America when about twenty five
years of age, haviog added to his previous
knowledge of music a careful study and prac-
tice of piano making. In 1855 he established a
firm in Trenton, N.J., under the style of Blasius
Bros. In 1857 they moved to Philadelphia, and
eventually the firm name was changed to Blasius
& Sons, this upon the admission to partnership
of his two sons, Levin and Oscar Blasius.
This firm sold the first Steinway piano in the
city of Philadelphia, and their first connection
with the Steinway instruments began in 1855.
Unbroken business relations between the Stein-
way firm were maintained for many years, dur-
ing which time a large number of the Steinway
pianos were sold in Philadelphia and vicinity.
Charles Blasius stood high in Philadelphia
both as a business man and as a citizen. I shall
always remember him as a mau—plain and un-
ostentatious, kindly and courteous in his deal-
ings. Success in business did not remove him
from that latitude of easy approach, and the
humblest employee of the house always found
in him more than an employer—they found a
friend. He had also composed several musical
compositions which have been largely sold. In
1887, after many years of close application to
business, he resolved to release himself, to a
certain extent, from business cares. He visited
Europe, spent considerable time at his old birth-
place at Cologne, and upon his return to Phila-
delphia he became practically retired from ac-
tive business duties, his mantle falling upon the
shoulders of his capable and worthy sons, Levin
and Oscar.
He has always taken great pride in the growth
and extension of the business which he founded,
and which he witnessed develop into such mag-
nificent proportions.
For some time past his health had been seri-
ously impaired, yet it was not thought that the
end was so near. The peaceful ness of his death
made a fitting conclusion to an existence re-
markable for its gentleness in family and busi-
ness relations. The funeral took place at his
late residence, IIOI Chestnut street, at 2 o'clock
on last Monday afternoon. There were a large
number of floral offerings, chief among which
I noticed one from Messrs. Steinway & Sjns,
from Bellak Brothers and a magnificent floral
pillow from the employees of the Blasius house.
At the funeral the trade were well represented,
showing the high esteem in which the deceased
was held by his confreres. Nahurn Stetson of
Steinway & Sons was present. The interment
took place in the Laurel Hill Cemetery.
The death of Charles Blasius will have no
direct effect upon the Blasius business interests,
either of the Blasius Piano Co., the manufacturing
coipjration whose factory is at Woodbury, N.J.,
or of Blasius & Sons, the Philadelphia concern.
His sons have both been thoroughly educated
with a musical and business training. They
have given substantial proof of the possession of
excellent business traits and general aptitude
for successful business management.
E. L. B.
Hillstrom Writes of the
Early Church flusic of
Sweden.
CHESTERTON, IND.,
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
March 14th, 1894.
Esq.,
New York, N. Y.
DEAR SIR.—Permit me to contradict your as-
sertion in Vol. XVIII., No. 33, page 9 of THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, that King Oscar of
Sweden was the first to introduce church music
in that country.
While I have not any positive knowledge
of the time it was introduced, I do not hesitate
to say that it was long before the French
Bernadotte or " Carl den XIV. Johan " became
a Prince or ruler of Sweden. The "Chorals."
now in use in Sweden, are a revised edition of
the Chorals used in the eighteenth century, and
the revision was not completed and published
before 1819.
I have seen the music for the revised Chorals,
set for organs, in figures in place of dots, as is
used now, and I assure you that that music
was older than King Oscar, and perhaps older
than the Bernadotte dynasty.
I give King Oscar credit for being all you say
as a composer, musician, lover and collector of
ancient and modern music, and would not have
cared to deprive him of the honor of being in-
strumental in bringing in or introducing the
church music in Sweden, had not the last par-
agraph of your article conveyed the idea that
the Swedes were and still would be without
such music had it not been for King Oscar, or,
in other words, that the Swedes are so far behind
the times that they know nothing of and could
not appreciate the beauty of church or other
music until His Majesty, King by the "Grace
ofGod,"(?) had showed them that there was
such a thing as church music. Now this is
hardly just to a country or nation that has
given to the world so many distinguished mu-
sicians and singers.
It is true that church organs in Sweden have,
until within the last fifty years, been compara-
tively few, and have, in all probability, more
than doubled in number within the last twenty-
five years, but this is by no means due to any
special effort of King Oscar.
In my opinion it is due to the improved finan-
cial conditions and facilities for building organs,
in consequence of which a number of organs
can be bought for the price of one some decades
ago, and thus giving even the small and poor
parishes an opportunity to enjoy music in their
churches.
Very sincerely yours,
CHAS. E. HILLSTROM.
The Ann Arbor Organs.
^
week the Ann Arbor Organ Company
Tck-> made another shipment of organs to Lon-
don, England, this time only 24 organs.
Sufficient drays were procured and these
organs, with six others for local shipment, were
photographed before taken to the station.
There was quite a little excitement as the im-
posing procession passed through the streets,
and very few people actually realized the extent
of business done by our local factory until they
saw it then.
That the Ann Arbor organs are known in
foreign countries is amply proven by the numer-
ous shipments to other countries and the con-
stant inquiries received from different parts of
the globe.
True merit, first-class workmanship and the
very best selected material will win every time.
We congratulate the Organ Company on their
extensive trade and feel sure that Ann Arbor
has a factory of which it can justly feel proud.—
Ann Arbor Register, Match 8th.
Crown Pianos
and Organs.
The Souvenir Catalogue Inval-
uable to Agents for Propa-
ganda Work.
World's Fair was one of the great
events in our history. The successes and
achievements of the exhibitors have been per-
petuated in a variety of ways. It is doubtful if
there is any souvenir of the occasion which dis-
plays such ingenuity in construction and thor-
oughness in detail as to the benefits derived
thereat than the catalogue issued by Geo. P.
Bent, the maker of the famous " Crown " pianos
and organs. It is not only a souvenir of the
World's Columbian Exposition, but it serves as
a prospectus of the instruments manufactured
by his house.
The autograph letters of indorsement from the
officials of the Fair and the commissioners from
the different States and territories using the
" Crown " pianos are tributes to these instru-
ments, of so strong and complete a nature as to
make the catalogue invaluable in the hands of
intelligent agents. The different testimonials
are so thorough and so convincing that each
catalogue should invariably make a sale, for the
attention of the public is called to the merits of
and the high opinion held by eminent judges of
the Bent instruments. Like everything Mr.
Bent takes hold of, this catalogue possesses
features of originality, and unless the dealer is
behind the age, it gives him an opportunity of
doing some effective propaganda work.
Progressive men who are looking for a good
piano that will bring them trade should not fail
to drop a few lines to Geo. P. Bent. There are
few dealers to-day handling the " Crown " in-
struments who are not gainers by making their
acquaintance, for a personal examination will
readily support the very convincing and emin-
ent opinions which are found in the souvenir
catalogue. The Bent piano is full of merit, and
possesses every requisite from a constructive
standpoint to make it attractive as a " seller "
in the hands of wide-awake dealers.
It is impossible to disassociate the World's
Fair from the record made by exhibitors, and
this is eminently true of the " Crown " instru-
ments. They occupitd such a large place in
that connection that the souvenir catalogue can
be used effectively as a strong factor in demon-
strating the merit and popularity of the
" Crown " pianos and organs.
" What's the subscription price of your news-
paper? "
" five shillings per annum, post free."
" I s it intended for any particular class ot
readers ? "
" Yes, it's for those who have five shillings.'.'
" Now, which kind of music do you desire to
become proficient in ? " said the professor to the
new pupil.
"Oh, classical, by all means," replied the
young woman.
" I am very glad to hear you express this
preference.''
"Yes.
When you play classical music
hardly anybody knows whether you make a
mistake or not."
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
CHARLES BLASIUS.
Older than King Oscar.
Mr.
BLASIUS, the founder of the firm
<3° of Blasius & Son?, Philadelphia, and for
many years its head and guiding spirit, died at
his late residence in Philadelphia on Friday
evening, March 16th. The immediate cause of
his death was paralysis of the heart.
Charles Blasius was one of the historic figures
of the music trade of the Quaker City. He was
a native of Cologne, Germany. He came of a
musical and literary family, his father being a
professor at one of the institutions of learning in
the Fatherland, and his family achieved dis-
tinguished positions in Europe at that time.
He came to America when about twenty five
years of age, haviog added to his previous
knowledge of music a careful study and prac-
tice of piano making. In 1855 he established a
firm in Trenton, N.J., under the style of Blasius
Bros. In 1857 they moved to Philadelphia, and
eventually the firm name was changed to Blasius
& Sons, this upon the admission to partnership
of his two sons, Levin and Oscar Blasius.
This firm sold the first Steinway piano in the
city of Philadelphia, and their first connection
with the Steinway instruments began in 1855.
Unbroken business relations between the Stein-
way firm were maintained for many years, dur-
ing which time a large number of the Steinway
pianos were sold in Philadelphia and vicinity.
Charles Blasius stood high in Philadelphia
both as a business man and as a citizen. I shall
always remember him as a mau—plain and un-
ostentatious, kindly and courteous in his deal-
ings. Success in business did not remove him
from that latitude of easy approach, and the
humblest employee of the house always found
in him more than an employer—they found a
friend. He had also composed several musical
compositions which have been largely sold. In
1887, after many years of close application to
business, he resolved to release himself, to a
certain extent, from business cares. He visited
Europe, spent considerable time at his old birth-
place at Cologne, and upon his return to Phila-
delphia he became practically retired from ac-
tive business duties, his mantle falling upon the
shoulders of his capable and worthy sons, Levin
and Oscar.
He has always taken great pride in the growth
and extension of the business which he founded,
and which he witnessed develop into such mag-
nificent proportions.
For some time past his health had been seri-
ously impaired, yet it was not thought that the
end was so near. The peaceful ness of his death
made a fitting conclusion to an existence re-
markable for its gentleness in family and busi-
ness relations. The funeral took place at his
late residence, IIOI Chestnut street, at 2 o'clock
on last Monday afternoon. There were a large
number of floral offerings, chief among which
I noticed one from Messrs. Steinway & Sjns,
from Bellak Brothers and a magnificent floral
pillow from the employees of the Blasius house.
At the funeral the trade were well represented,
showing the high esteem in which the deceased
was held by his confreres. Nahurn Stetson of
Steinway & Sons was present. The interment
took place in the Laurel Hill Cemetery.
The death of Charles Blasius will have no
direct effect upon the Blasius business interests,
either of the Blasius Piano Co., the manufacturing
coipjration whose factory is at Woodbury, N.J.,
or of Blasius & Sons, the Philadelphia concern.
His sons have both been thoroughly educated
with a musical and business training. They
have given substantial proof of the possession of
excellent business traits and general aptitude
for successful business management.
E. L. B.
Hillstrom Writes of the
Early Church flusic of
Sweden.
CHESTERTON, IND.,
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
March 14th, 1894.
Esq.,
New York, N. Y.
DEAR SIR.—Permit me to contradict your as-
sertion in Vol. XVIII., No. 33, page 9 of THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, that King Oscar of
Sweden was the first to introduce church music
in that country.
While I have not any positive knowledge
of the time it was introduced, I do not hesitate
to say that it was long before the French
Bernadotte or " Carl den XIV. Johan " became
a Prince or ruler of Sweden. The "Chorals."
now in use in Sweden, are a revised edition of
the Chorals used in the eighteenth century, and
the revision was not completed and published
before 1819.
I have seen the music for the revised Chorals,
set for organs, in figures in place of dots, as is
used now, and I assure you that that music
was older than King Oscar, and perhaps older
than the Bernadotte dynasty.
I give King Oscar credit for being all you say
as a composer, musician, lover and collector of
ancient and modern music, and would not have
cared to deprive him of the honor of being in-
strumental in bringing in or introducing the
church music in Sweden, had not the last par-
agraph of your article conveyed the idea that
the Swedes were and still would be without
such music had it not been for King Oscar, or,
in other words, that the Swedes are so far behind
the times that they know nothing of and could
not appreciate the beauty of church or other
music until His Majesty, King by the "Grace
ofGod,"(?) had showed them that there was
such a thing as church music. Now this is
hardly just to a country or nation that has
given to the world so many distinguished mu-
sicians and singers.
It is true that church organs in Sweden have,
until within the last fifty years, been compara-
tively few, and have, in all probability, more
than doubled in number within the last twenty-
five years, but this is by no means due to any
special effort of King Oscar.
In my opinion it is due to the improved finan-
cial conditions and facilities for building organs,
in consequence of which a number of organs
can be bought for the price of one some decades
ago, and thus giving even the small and poor
parishes an opportunity to enjoy music in their
churches.
Very sincerely yours,
CHAS. E. HILLSTROM.
The Ann Arbor Organs.
^
week the Ann Arbor Organ Company
Tck-> made another shipment of organs to Lon-
don, England, this time only 24 organs.
Sufficient drays were procured and these
organs, with six others for local shipment, were
photographed before taken to the station.
There was quite a little excitement as the im-
posing procession passed through the streets,
and very few people actually realized the extent
of business done by our local factory until they
saw it then.
That the Ann Arbor organs are known in
foreign countries is amply proven by the numer-
ous shipments to other countries and the con-
stant inquiries received from different parts of
the globe.
True merit, first-class workmanship and the
very best selected material will win every time.
We congratulate the Organ Company on their
extensive trade and feel sure that Ann Arbor
has a factory of which it can justly feel proud.—
Ann Arbor Register, Match 8th.
Crown Pianos
and Organs.
The Souvenir Catalogue Inval-
uable to Agents for Propa-
ganda Work.
World's Fair was one of the great
events in our history. The successes and
achievements of the exhibitors have been per-
petuated in a variety of ways. It is doubtful if
there is any souvenir of the occasion which dis-
plays such ingenuity in construction and thor-
oughness in detail as to the benefits derived
thereat than the catalogue issued by Geo. P.
Bent, the maker of the famous " Crown " pianos
and organs. It is not only a souvenir of the
World's Columbian Exposition, but it serves as
a prospectus of the instruments manufactured
by his house.
The autograph letters of indorsement from the
officials of the Fair and the commissioners from
the different States and territories using the
" Crown " pianos are tributes to these instru-
ments, of so strong and complete a nature as to
make the catalogue invaluable in the hands of
intelligent agents. The different testimonials
are so thorough and so convincing that each
catalogue should invariably make a sale, for the
attention of the public is called to the merits of
and the high opinion held by eminent judges of
the Bent instruments. Like everything Mr.
Bent takes hold of, this catalogue possesses
features of originality, and unless the dealer is
behind the age, it gives him an opportunity of
doing some effective propaganda work.
Progressive men who are looking for a good
piano that will bring them trade should not fail
to drop a few lines to Geo. P. Bent. There are
few dealers to-day handling the " Crown " in-
struments who are not gainers by making their
acquaintance, for a personal examination will
readily support the very convincing and emin-
ent opinions which are found in the souvenir
catalogue. The Bent piano is full of merit, and
possesses every requisite from a constructive
standpoint to make it attractive as a " seller "
in the hands of wide-awake dealers.
It is impossible to disassociate the World's
Fair from the record made by exhibitors, and
this is eminently true of the " Crown " instru-
ments. They occupitd such a large place in
that connection that the souvenir catalogue can
be used effectively as a strong factor in demon-
strating the merit and popularity of the
" Crown " pianos and organs.
" What's the subscription price of your news-
paper? "
" five shillings per annum, post free."
" I s it intended for any particular class ot
readers ? "
" Yes, it's for those who have five shillings.'.'
" Now, which kind of music do you desire to
become proficient in ? " said the professor to the
new pupil.
"Oh, classical, by all means," replied the
young woman.
" I am very glad to hear you express this
preference.''
"Yes.
When you play classical music
hardly anybody knows whether you make a
mistake or not."
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).