Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
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I
F we were to run the entire gamut of industrial life we
could not find another illustration where world-wide
honors have been gained within a comparatively brief
period, such as have been won by the distinguished
house of Steinway.
To have even predicted the securing of such globe-
girdling recognition by a house which began in an humble
way to work out its glorious destiny a half century ago,
would have required the widest stretch of a telescopic im-
agination.
The honors gained by Steinway should be appreciated
by every American, for in what other department of industry
have manufacturers won such recognition as has this great
concern from the crowned heads and nobility of Europe?
What greater credit could be paid to American industrial art
than to have the sovereigns of the world pass over their own
manufacturers and confer special appointments upon this
American firm who have made piano-making famous? No
greater tribute could be paid to American genius than is
manifest in this world-wide endorsement of that superb pro-
duct which has shed lustre over the entire piano industry.
The part that the Steinway piano has played in the re-
moval of the impression throughout Europe that the United
States was practically the abode of commercialism is beyond
the power of computation, and if an industry may be said
to fairly represent the progress of the people then the labors
of Steinway truthfully typify the phenomenal advance
which America has made during her last half century of art
progress.
To those who are familiar with the exclusiveness which
hedges royalty and the difficulty of approach to the charmed
circle, the recognition which the Steinway piano has won in
foreign lands is more than surprising, doubly so when we
consider that the names of the monarchs are not included
in the list of those who are prone to give endorsements and
testimonials with the surprising frequency which often char-
acterizes the doings of those whose lines are cast in purely
artistic channels.
It would seem as if there must be some powerful and
extraordinary magnet embodied in the Steinway product to
have caused England's Queen-Empress, the Prince of
Wales, the nobility of England, the Emperor of Germany,
the Emperor of Austria, to have conferred upon Steinway
the honors which they have received virtually from nearly
every court in Europe. And all this has been won within
the brief span of a human life. While there may be terri-
torial limits in Europe which are the dividing lines of coun-
tries, there is really no frontier line at which the Steinway
halts and no potentate who does not recognize the imperial
sway of Steinway in the realm of art.
The significance of this universal recognition of the
Steinway piano may be more thoroughly- comprehended
when we see grouped together in colors, emblazoned with
the Royal Coats of Arms, the entire list of appointments
and decorations which this American institution has re-
ceived from abroad. Every American citizen must take
pride in the tribute which this art product has won in
the European strongholds of royalty, nobility, aristocracy
and art.
This concern has successfully stormed seemingly im-
pregnable strongholds, for it must be admitted that years
ago there was a deeply rooted prejudice throughout Europe
against everything American. The products of this country
were looked upon as somewhat crude and of the provincial
order. In the removal of this prejudice the Steinway prod-
uct has been undeniablya vast educational factor,for through
its instrumentality the old world has become acquainted
with the achievements of the new, and as the artistic
merits of the Steinway product were brought in touch
with the artistic life of Europe, so have prejudices to-
ward things American become removed.
Surely every American can take pride in the history of
such an establishment, which, from humble beginnings,
has evolved a business ofworld-wide influence,for in all In d s
and climes the peerless Steinway is recognized as the leader
in those fields where the art instinct has the keenest play.
To have overcome local prejudices and gained success-
fully the vantage ground of royalty is a victory won by few
concerns, and in this particular the house of Steinway occu-
pies an unique and exclusive position. By the ordinary
American the term "Piano Manufacturers by Appointment"
is not generally comprehended in its fullest significance.
The mere delivery of a piano at a royal residence, or even
its use therein, does not entitle the maker to describe him-
self as manufacturer by appointment, even though the in-
strument may have been ordered by some member of the
household.
It is a punishable offense in Europe to use such a term
in connection with business, unless the manufacturer, like
Steinway & Sons, has obtained a properly signed and sealed
warrant from the legally prescribed authorities.
The warrants which have been obtained by the Stein-
way house form an interesting gallery of American triumphs.
Some of the European courts where Steinway & Sons have
been specially appointed piano manufacturers are: England,
Germany, Saxony, Spain, Italy, Austria, Persia and even
the Sultan of Turkey, commonly termed "the sick man of
Europe," has not been so ill but that his disturbed spirit
could be relieved by the sweet tones of a Steinway.
The Sultan is an accomplished musician, and it is inter-
esting now to note that in reference to the first Steinway
sent to the Sultan his secretary wrote: " His Majesty, the
Sultan is very much pleased with the tone of the instru-
ment, and the best proof of his satisfaction is that he has
ordered me to write for a second piano. We hope you will
see that the tone will be as fine."
It must have been " a s fine," for in May of the present
year a further order was received by Steinway & Sons from