Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
43
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In tne World of Music Publishing
MUCH LIFE TO BUSINESS
In the Publishing Trade—Every Week Shows
an Improvement—The Opening of the Musi-
cal and Theatrical Season of Much Help—
The Live Institutions Are Benefiting by
Their Progressiveness and Seem to Be Get-
ting All the Good Things That Are Going.
With the important and influential publishing
houses business is assuming a condition of brisk-
ness quite gratifying. Mails are heavy, and or-
ders are not only much in evidence, but the range
of sales is excellent and the extent of the pur-
chases in good volume. Each week now sees a
marked improvement, and the fall business, of
which there has been great expectations, is in
full swing and fully up to anticipations.
One thing in the business is becoming more
marked every day, and that is the gradual fading
into the background of those old time establish-
ments which rely on their ancient reputation
solely for present day prestige. In this class are
numerous publishers who seldom adopt modern
methods of securing business; in truth, appear to
look with disfavor on the system which the pro-
gressive houses are pursuing with satisfaction
and profit. The antiques are sufficient unto them-
selves, and in these busy days with the go ahead
firms they find ample time to scan their light
mail and the newspapers, and talk of "No busi-
ness to speak of, which we can't understand,"
and so on to the end of the gloomy chapter. Of
course, it follows they are disbelievers in public-
ity, such as is afforded through well conducted
enterprising trade mediums. The mere mention
of a suggestion in this line makes these fossilized
parties hold up their hands in holy horror and
shake as if afflicted with palsy.
What a contrast to the concerns alive to every
possible advantage of enlarging the scope of their
business! It is in these places where the atmos-
phere is charged as with electric currents, and
the matters under discussion are of trade move-
ments of import in connection with current busi-
ness and prospective sales. There is all the dif-
ference in the world between the haunts of the
somnolent and the up-to-the-minute activity of
the modern music publisher, of which the num-
ber is comparatively small, but is slowly receiv-
ing fresh additions as the antiques wake up or
have new blood injected.
Appended is a few new numbers from the P.
B. Haviland Publishing Co.: Vocal—"Make a
Fuss Over Me," and "A Rare Old Bird," by Theo.
F. Morse; "O'Reilly" (from "The Royal Chef"),
by Ben M. Jerome; "Tallahassee Tessie," by Geo.
IT. Bell.
posed for her, and predicts unqualified success
for the opera. Coming from a woman who has
According to unanimous reports of those who won international triumphs in the whole reper-
have been privileged to hear some of the musical toire of grand opera, this is high praise indeed.
rehearsals, Julian Edwards, composer of so many That it is not premature in evidenced by the fact
operatic sucesses, has scored again in "Love's that "Love's Lottery" is thoroughly rehearsed
Lottery," which he has written for Mme. Schu- and ready for production September 12 at the De-
mann-Heink, in collaboration with his favorite troit Opera House, which is Mr. Whitney's home
librettist, Stanislaus Stange. Indeed, Manager theatre, and the starting point of those other Ed-
Fred C. Whitney, who has produced more of Mr. wards' successes, "Dolly Varden" and "When
Edwards' operas than any other manager, and Johnny »Comes Marching Home."
is one of his greatest admirers, declares that the
composer of "Dolly Varden," "When Johnny
MUSIC PUBLISHERS' LIVE WIRES.
Comes Marching Home," "The Jolly Musketeer,"
"The Wedding Day," "Brian Boru," "The Magic
With the scattering of Howley, Dresser & Co.'s
Kiss," "Friend Fritz," and "King Rene's Daugh-
ter," has fairly outdone himself in this opera. effects much regret is expressed over the un-
timely misfortunes of the bankrupt firm. Their
catalogue, once regarded as one of the strongest
and most desirable in the business, and which
took years to build up and exploit, is now con-
trolled in part by liens, valid obligations that
must be liquidated before they again become as-
sets subject to the claims of creditors. As stated
in last week's REVIEW, 108 titles are covered by
the contingent bill of sale executed to the Charles
Francis Press, and which are to be handled ex-
clusively by Sol. Bloom the particulars of which
are detailed in his special announcement in con-
nection therewith elsewhere. Then James G.
Curtin, manager of the London Theatre, holds
about 35 titles under a like arrangement, but
as yet no disposition of this property has been
JULIAN EDWARDS.
made, so far as known. It will be remembered
Small wonder when he had the inspiration of
Mme. Schumann-Heink's magnificent voice to that the Enterprise Music Supply Co. are mar-
write for, since Mr. Edwards long ago proved that keting all the printed stock, which was consider-
all he needed was capable interpreters for his able.
operas.
"A Madcap Princess," a musical version of
When Manager Whitney succeeded in persuad-
ing Mme. Schumann-Heink to forsake grand Major's celebrated "When Knighthood Was in
opera to appear at the head of her own company Flower," had its first production at the Knicker-
she stipulated that her vehicle must be of the bocker Theatre Monday evening, and was ac-
highest class musically, although the plot might corded a rousing welcome. It was true comic
he of a light comedy vein. The selection of Mr, opera, the music being tuneful and harmonious.
Edwards as her composer was not only a de- Of the song hits may be mentioned: "Bluff King
served compliment, but a sort of poetic justice to Hal," which was received with much enthusi-
a man who has always steadfastly stood for the asm; "The Isle of the Sea," and "A Typical Cav-
highest standard of light opera. When the musi- alier," both rendered with telling effect by Lulu
cal comedy.wave swept over the country Mr. Ed- Glaser, the rollicking prima donna; and "Kings
wards, as an established and popular composer, of the Sea," which has a swinging chorus accom-
was offered numerous contracts to write the paniment. Other numbers were also encored.
music of song-and-dance farces, but he always re- The book and lyrics of "A Madcap Princess" are
fused. He would write good music or none. "But by Harry B. Smith, the music by Ludwig Englan-
where will you get the singers?" persisted the der and Joseph W. Stern & Co. have the publish-
managers, who maintained that the day of great ing rights.
prima donnas was gone. "Then I will wait," said
Mr. Edwards. His patience was rewarded when
The combination of dealers in Brooklyn and
Mme. Schumann-Heink took to light opera.
New York originated and fostered by the Crown
Moreover, Mme. Schumann-Heink is enthusi- Music Co., to offset the efforts of the department
astic over the score which Mr. Edwards has com- store sales, is said to have withered by the way-
JULIAN EDWARDS' NEW OPERA.
Notice of an Important Deal!
By arrangement with the CHARLES FRANCIS PRESS have acquired the sole and exclusive right to print, publish, and
sell One Thousand, One Hundred and Eight numbers of the
HOWLEY-DRESSER COMPANY CATALOGUE
which includes almost all of the most important publications that have enjoyed popular success. In case your jobber is unable to
supply you, send your orders direct to
Do not forget our popular successes:
LAUGHING WATER
THE GIRL YOU LOVE
NOBODY JUST LIKE YOU
A BIT OF BLARNEY
SAMMY
ST. LOUIS RAG
SOL. BLOOM
New Amsterdam Theatre Building
NEW YORK CITY