Music Trade Review
Issue: 1896 Vol. 22 N. 26 - Page 11
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
SPECIALTY TALKS.
REVIEW—The import trade in musical
publications is probably very heavy; does
the export trade compare at all favorably
with the import?
QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED BY THE "REVIEW" UPON THE LIVE MATTERS OF THE DAY AND
Mr. Cragin—No, you must remember
ANSWERED BY LEADING MEN IN THE TRADE.
that the European composers have a world-
wide reputation, while, with a few excep-
tions, our composers are only known in this
Interview IV.—Edward S. Cragin.
country; but I am glad to say that the de-
mand for American publications is increas-
NDER the above head THE REVIEW
life of the so-called "popular" song?
ing, and as we now enjoy the benefit of the
proposes to give ' weekly the ex-
Mr. Cragin — The so-called "popular
International Copyright Law, I presume
pressed views of some member of the trade songs" of to-day last from six months to a
some
of our American publishers will es-
upon matters which are of vital interest.
year.
tablish
agencies in Europe within the next
It should be understood that the answers to
REVIEW—Is it necessary that both words
few
years.
these inquiries will be published in every and music of a song should be "taking" in
issue without editorial criticism. In other order to ensure popularity?
REVIEW—What impresses you to-day as
words, every "specialty talk" will fairly
Mr. Cragin—No, sometimes the story,
being the most vital subject for discussion
express the sentiment of the individual then again the melody, will carry a song to
in matters relating to the music publishing
under whose name it appears, rather than success.
business?
the editorial belief of THE REVIEW. There
REVIEW—Is competition in the musical
Mr. Cragin—The protection of American
will be no distortion; no boiling down. publishing business unusually severe?
copyright publications against infringe-
The answers will be published without Are prices fairly stationary?
ment by foreign publishers, as well as
change or comment, and in every case the
Mr. Cragin—No, I cannot say that it is.
the importation into the United States by
individuality of the one whose opinions are Prices are fairly satisfactory, although some
dealers and others of woiks which are pro-
written will be preserved. We propose in of the smaller publishers are cutting prices
tected by U. S. copyright, laws.
this way to build one of the most interest- and selling their publications at cut prices
REVIEW—In a department covering so
ing features which a trade paper can offer
large
a field, and with your large experi-
to its leaders. This week Mr. Cragin talks
ence,
it is possible that a few desirable in-
from th^ music publisher's standpoint:
novations and
realizations should be
RKVIKW—The music publishing business
made or reached in this special department
is, we suppose, in common with other music
of the music trade industry, a discussion of
trade departments, in none too flourishing
which might be of value and interest to the
a condition just now. Do you look for a
trade at large. A few suggestions would
speedy return to prosperity?
prove acceptable.
Mr. Cragin—For this season of the year
Mr. Cragin—One of the evils of the mu-
we are doing as much as formerly, expect the
sic
trade just at present is the mania that
usual increase of business in the fall. Our
some
of our publishers seem to have for
sales for the first six months of this year
selling
their publications to department
show quite an increase over the corres-
and
other
stores at ruinous prices, which in-
ponding months of 1895.
jures the trade of the regular music dealers
REVIEW—Has the large output of so-called
in all of our large cities. I hope the pub
•'cheap music" during the last few years
lishers will see the folly of doing business
seriously affected the "legitimate" sheet
in this way, and in the near future may
music business?
adopt prices that will be more uniform.
Mr. Cragin—Do not think so. The so-
REVIEW — Is there an increasing demand
called cheap music publishers have nearly
for
classical music in this country?
all come to grief within the last few years
Mr.
Cragin—Yes, it is only within the
and are fast fading out of sight.
last
twelve
or fifteen years that we com-
REVIEW—Few departments of business
menced
publishing
vocal and instrumental
probably require a more complete method
collections
of
classical
music. We are add-
of systematization than that of the sheet-
EDWARD S. CRAGIN.
ing
new
collections
every
year and it is a
music department in a large publishing to department stores, which, of course,
fact
that
they
are
the
best
sellers in our
house. Presumably the system of arrange- affects our trade somewhat; it is not, how-
stock.
Teachers
and
the
musical
public
ment of stock and so forth is as nearly per- ever, as serious here in the East as in the
generally
demand
music
of
a
higher
order,
fect as it seems possible to make it?
large Western cities.
tlnis
causing
an
increased
demand
for
clas-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, I think it is; although
REVIEW—Does the music publishing bus-
sical
music.
we are always on the lookout for new ideas, iness to-day offer a better field for the
and during the summer months devote a "bright young man" than it did—say—ten
REVIEW—The preparation of catalogues
great deal of time to rearranging our stock. years ago?
in your business must be an important de-
We consider any expenditure in this direc-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, I think it does. As partment, necessitating a good deal of care-
tion as money well spent.
ful labor? Your advertising department
the population of our country increases, nat-
presents, probabty, a splendid field for
REVIEW—Is the supply of musical MSS., urally there is a greater demand for musi-
the up-to-date intelligent advertising man?
speaking from a general standpoint, equal cal publications.
to the demand? In what special depart-
Mr. Cragin-—Yes, I do not know of any
REVIEW—Are the existing copyright laws
ment of composition does it seem to you is in this country sufficiently fair and compre-
branch of business that presents a better
there most room for the aspiring composer? hensive?
field for an up-to-date intelligent advertis-
ing man than the music publishing busi-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, good music set to
Mr. Cragin—No, they are not. We hope
ness.
words of an original story (not trash); through the efforts of the Music Publishers'
REVIEW—In a business covering so wide
also brilliant and melodious piano pieces Association, of which I am Treasurer, to
an area, it is highly probable that among
of medium difficulty, and sacred selections have the present Copyright Law amended
its followers are a number of men of marked
of medium difficulty for solos and quar- in the near future, with a view to making
ability and special aptitude. Do you care
tettes, which are tuneful and effective, may it an adjunct of greater value to the pub-
to make reference to any prominent men in
also be added to the list.
lishing interests of this country than it is
the music publishing business who have
REVIEW—What is the average length of
now.
U
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
SPECIALTY TALKS.
REVIEW—The import trade in musical
publications is probably very heavy; does
the export trade compare at all favorably
with the import?
QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED BY THE "REVIEW" UPON THE LIVE MATTERS OF THE DAY AND
Mr. Cragin—No, you must remember
ANSWERED BY LEADING MEN IN THE TRADE.
that the European composers have a world-
wide reputation, while, with a few excep-
tions, our composers are only known in this
Interview IV.—Edward S. Cragin.
country; but I am glad to say that the de-
mand for American publications is increas-
NDER the above head THE REVIEW
life of the so-called "popular" song?
ing, and as we now enjoy the benefit of the
proposes to give ' weekly the ex-
Mr. Cragin — The so-called "popular
International Copyright Law, I presume
pressed views of some member of the trade songs" of to-day last from six months to a
some
of our American publishers will es-
upon matters which are of vital interest.
year.
tablish
agencies in Europe within the next
It should be understood that the answers to
REVIEW—Is it necessary that both words
few
years.
these inquiries will be published in every and music of a song should be "taking" in
issue without editorial criticism. In other order to ensure popularity?
REVIEW—What impresses you to-day as
words, every "specialty talk" will fairly
Mr. Cragin—No, sometimes the story,
being the most vital subject for discussion
express the sentiment of the individual then again the melody, will carry a song to
in matters relating to the music publishing
under whose name it appears, rather than success.
business?
the editorial belief of THE REVIEW. There
REVIEW—Is competition in the musical
Mr. Cragin—The protection of American
will be no distortion; no boiling down. publishing business unusually severe?
copyright publications against infringe-
The answers will be published without Are prices fairly stationary?
ment by foreign publishers, as well as
change or comment, and in every case the
Mr. Cragin—No, I cannot say that it is.
the importation into the United States by
individuality of the one whose opinions are Prices are fairly satisfactory, although some
dealers and others of woiks which are pro-
written will be preserved. We propose in of the smaller publishers are cutting prices
tected by U. S. copyright, laws.
this way to build one of the most interest- and selling their publications at cut prices
REVIEW—In a department covering so
ing features which a trade paper can offer
large
a field, and with your large experi-
to its leaders. This week Mr. Cragin talks
ence,
it is possible that a few desirable in-
from th^ music publisher's standpoint:
novations and
realizations should be
RKVIKW—The music publishing business
made or reached in this special department
is, we suppose, in common with other music
of the music trade industry, a discussion of
trade departments, in none too flourishing
which might be of value and interest to the
a condition just now. Do you look for a
trade at large. A few suggestions would
speedy return to prosperity?
prove acceptable.
Mr. Cragin—For this season of the year
Mr. Cragin—One of the evils of the mu-
we are doing as much as formerly, expect the
sic
trade just at present is the mania that
usual increase of business in the fall. Our
some
of our publishers seem to have for
sales for the first six months of this year
selling
their publications to department
show quite an increase over the corres-
and
other
stores at ruinous prices, which in-
ponding months of 1895.
jures the trade of the regular music dealers
REVIEW—Has the large output of so-called
in all of our large cities. I hope the pub
•'cheap music" during the last few years
lishers will see the folly of doing business
seriously affected the "legitimate" sheet
in this way, and in the near future may
music business?
adopt prices that will be more uniform.
Mr. Cragin—Do not think so. The so-
REVIEW — Is there an increasing demand
called cheap music publishers have nearly
for
classical music in this country?
all come to grief within the last few years
Mr.
Cragin—Yes, it is only within the
and are fast fading out of sight.
last
twelve
or fifteen years that we com-
REVIEW—Few departments of business
menced
publishing
vocal and instrumental
probably require a more complete method
collections
of
classical
music. We are add-
of systematization than that of the sheet-
EDWARD S. CRAGIN.
ing
new
collections
every
year and it is a
music department in a large publishing to department stores, which, of course,
fact
that
they
are
the
best
sellers in our
house. Presumably the system of arrange- affects our trade somewhat; it is not, how-
stock.
Teachers
and
the
musical
public
ment of stock and so forth is as nearly per- ever, as serious here in the East as in the
generally
demand
music
of
a
higher
order,
fect as it seems possible to make it?
large Western cities.
tlnis
causing
an
increased
demand
for
clas-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, I think it is; although
REVIEW—Does the music publishing bus-
sical
music.
we are always on the lookout for new ideas, iness to-day offer a better field for the
and during the summer months devote a "bright young man" than it did—say—ten
REVIEW—The preparation of catalogues
great deal of time to rearranging our stock. years ago?
in your business must be an important de-
We consider any expenditure in this direc-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, I think it does. As partment, necessitating a good deal of care-
tion as money well spent.
ful labor? Your advertising department
the population of our country increases, nat-
presents, probabty, a splendid field for
REVIEW—Is the supply of musical MSS., urally there is a greater demand for musi-
the up-to-date intelligent advertising man?
speaking from a general standpoint, equal cal publications.
to the demand? In what special depart-
Mr. Cragin-—Yes, I do not know of any
REVIEW—Are the existing copyright laws
ment of composition does it seem to you is in this country sufficiently fair and compre-
branch of business that presents a better
there most room for the aspiring composer? hensive?
field for an up-to-date intelligent advertis-
ing man than the music publishing busi-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, good music set to
Mr. Cragin—No, they are not. We hope
ness.
words of an original story (not trash); through the efforts of the Music Publishers'
REVIEW—In a business covering so wide
also brilliant and melodious piano pieces Association, of which I am Treasurer, to
an area, it is highly probable that among
of medium difficulty, and sacred selections have the present Copyright Law amended
its followers are a number of men of marked
of medium difficulty for solos and quar- in the near future, with a view to making
ability and special aptitude. Do you care
tettes, which are tuneful and effective, may it an adjunct of greater value to the pub-
to make reference to any prominent men in
also be added to the list.
lishing interests of this country than it is
the music publishing business who have
REVIEW—What is the average length of
now.
U
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