Music Trade Review
Issue: 1904 Vol. 39 N. 2 - Page 11
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TH
THE PIANO NOT PASSING.
Fifty Million Dollars' Worth Made and Sold
in This Country Last Year—An Answer to
the Editorial in the New York Times from
Nahum Stetson, of Steinway & Sons.
MUSIC TRADE
11
REVIEW
FOSTER=ARMSTRONG EMPLOYES
SELECT $12,000 KIMBALL ORGAN
Seven Hundred Strong, Hold Picnic at Bay For the Auditorium at Topeka, Kansas—This
Pipe Organ Will have Four Manuals—Will
View — Great Gathering and Great Time
Be Ready in Six Months.
Enjoyed.
(Special to The Review.)
(Special to The Review.)
Topeka, Kan., July 2, 1904.
Rochester, N. Y., July 4, 1904.
In last week's Review we published with some
Last night after a deadlock of several weeks
The fifteenth annual picnic of the employes
comments the ridiculous editorial on "The Pass-
ing of the Piano" wliich appeared in the New of the Foster-Armstrong Company was held at the W. W. Kimball Co., of Chicago, were awarded
York Times of June 26, and take pleasure in Bay View July 1. Seven hundred men, young the contract to place a $12,000 pipe organ in the
printing herewith the reply sent to the editor and old, who help construct instruments that Auditorium by the Pipe Organ Association. At
adorn thousands of homes, left the city at nine the meeting, which was held in the Commercial
of the Times by Nahum Stetson in behalf of
Steinway & Sons, and which appeared in that o'clock that morning, with banners flying, a tre- Club rooms, some nineteen directors were pres-
mendous display of enthusiasm, and a brass ent and six ballots were taken, the final vote
publication on Saturday last:
"There must have been many music lovers, as band. They marched from the Brewster factory being thirteen for Kimball and six for Hook &
well as many people connected with music, also on State street up that thoroughfare to Main Hastings. Representatives from both companies
by professional or business relations, who were street; thence east to East avenue, where they were invited to be present, and make statements
relative to the merits of their instruments, but
disconcerted, shocked, or amused by the editorial boarded Glen Haven trolley cars, and were off
Mr. Hedgeland, of the Kimball Co., was the only
for the bay and a good time.
in last Sunday's Times entitled, "The Passing of
In the crowd were employes of five different outside representative present.
the Piano." Their emotions varied, no doubt,
The organ will be ready by December. I t
according to the knowledge they had of the real factories of the company—Foster & Co., Arm-
facts of the case. To those who are in a position strong Piano Co., Haines Bros., Marshall & Wen- takes almost half a year to build such an instru-
ment as the Topeka association has ordered.
to know these facts, the article carried with it dall Piano Co., and the Brewster Piano Co
its own refutation; but as it may have caused Along with the employes went superintendents The organ will have four manuals, 49 stops, 3,000
unfounded regrets to those who are in such and other heads of departments in the various pipes and accessories. Chimes of tubular bells
position, i t is well that the impression it gave factories. Robert Waud, general superintendent form one of the features. The organ will give
should be set right. Not only are its statements of the Foster-Armstrong Co., was master of cere- the effect of a full orchestra, every instrument
of fact entirely incorrect, but the implications monies, and he had assisting him a committee being imitated. Work will be commenced at
once at the Kimball factory in Chicago, and the
it conveys as to the present status and tendency of twenty-five men.
Each year the Foster-Armstrong Co. give their instrument can be set up in the Auditorium in
of musical art are equally unfounded.
"The piano, 'as an article of usual household employes a picnic. This year's outing was the time for the opening of the musical season just
furniture,' we are told is passing into innocuous best yet held. The prizes were larger, the at- before the holidays.
The organ will be of the same type as a series
desuetude. So far from this being the case, the tendance greater, and the interest displayed by
of large concert organs built by this company
output of pianos by American manufacturers, the picnicking party had never been equaled.
At the bay an all-day programme was carried and placed in a number of prominent cities In
having already reached enormous proportions, is
steadily increasing and in a degree much beyond out. It consisted of a ball game, track events, the United States in the last five years.
The Kansas representatives of the Kimball Co.
the increase of the population. The most trust- fat man's race, egg race, pie-eating contests, sack
races, and many other events intended to add a are the W. H. Roehr Music Co., of this city,
worthy statistics in the trade put the number of
pianos made and sold in this country last year liberal supply of fun. Hebing's Band furnished through whose strenuous labors the Kimball
at least at 150,000, of a value of from $40,000,000 the music, and at 12 o'clock dinner was served organ has been selected to grace our Auditorium.
at the bay pavilion. The prizes given the winners
to $50,000,000.
"For the American people, having paid $40,000,- of the contests were donated by the Foster-Arm-
000 to $50,00,000 for 150,000 pianos, are not let- strong Co., a number of other business houses
ting them 'remain silent,' in the words of your about the city, and by concerns outside of the For Dealers for the Fall Buying Season—Rate
of One and One-Third.
editorial. Nor is the business of teaching chil- city. The value of the prizes was about $700.
dren and young persons to play on the piano de-
The Southern Pacific Company on Tuesday an-
PRAISE FOR "THE OLD RELIABLE."
clining. The constant formation of new conser-
nounced to the Merchants' Association of New
vatories of music and the large attendance re-
Here is another of these testimonials received York that it will put in effect an individual
ported by them all show that this is not so. Still recently by C. L. Hill, representative of Geo. special rate from Texas to this city for the fall
more convincing evidence to the contrary is Steck & Co., in Fort "Wayne, Ind., which has de- buying season. The special merchants' fare of
given by the great music publishing and selling servedly won for the famous Steck piano the one and one-third for the round trip over the
houses. We are informed by one of the largest title of "Old Reliable." They reach Steck agents Southern Pacific system in Texas will be in
of these—one whose trade reaches into every without solicitation and tell—as this does—their effect on July 30-Aug. 3, inclusive, and Aug. 20-
corner of the United States—that the standard own story:
24, inclusive, via the New Orleans gateway, on
works for piano instruction, like Czerny's
the certificate plan. The return limit on the cer-
Fort Wayne, Ind., June 29, 1904.
studies, and others of the same sort, sell in con-
Dear Sir:—About six years ago I bought from tificates will be thirty days from date of issu-
stantly and largely increasing numbers, and the you a Geo. Steck piano. At the time I made the ance.
catalogues of this and other music publishing purchase, after deliberately investigating in the
The Southern Pacific Co. has also agreed to
houses show that a great flood of elementary manner best at my command, the merits and make the same reduced rate from points reached
and instructive pianoforte pieces is constantly nigh qualities of a score of prominent makes of
by its system in Texas in connection with water
pouring from their presses. These pieces would pianos, then as now within reach of the music- trip to New York from New Orleans on the
not be published if they were not sold, or bought loving American public, I made my decision, as Southern Pacific new passenger steamships. The
if they were not played.
you will recall, with self-confidence. Time has special fare of one and one-third by rail and
"Even if it were true, as the editorial asserts, confirmed the mistake that I did not make. My steamer also covers meals and stateroom while
that amateur work has been discouraged by the Steck piano is better to-day than when new and on board the boat.
multiplication of mechanical devices for playing desiring in this manner to convey to you my
The Merchants' Association will send to Texas
the piano, it is hard to see how this would con- appreciation of same, I remain,
merchants in the course of a few days the circu-
tribute to the 'passing of the piano,' for we have
lars giving full particulars as to rates, routes,
Respectfully, HORACE MABIOTTE.
yet to learn of any mechanical piano player that
dates, etc.
does; not need a piano to play on.
STIEFF PURCHASES ENTIRE STOCK.
"Not only these unquestionable facts and fig-
The entire stock of the Bennett-Bretz Piano HALLET & DAVIS PIANOS FOR THEATRES.
ures, but the general state of the art as known to
A handsome Hallet & Davis piano has re-
every observer, go to show that the cultivation Co. (now defunct), Harrisburg, Pa., has been
of music is not suffering such an eclipse as it purchased by Chas. M. Stieff, of Baltimore. The cently been furnished to the Star Theater by the
must be if the statements of the editorial are stock includes pianos already constructed, instru- Eilers Piano House, Portland, Oreg. This firm
true. The fact is that the people of this country ments in the course of construction, hardware, has also supplied the Marqnand Grand Theater,
are becoming more and more interested in veneer, varnish, machinery, and the entire con- with three pianos, the Bijou with a Crown, and
music; that the standards of taste and culture, tents of the building. It is thought that Mr. a Chickering was recently sold to the Arcade.
while they are steadily rising, encourage rather Stieff will have the instruments made up and This concern reports a good demand for Kimball
pianos.
than discourage efforts of amateurs; that music disposed of in Harrisburg.
is more and more welcomed and enjoyed in the
house, as well as in the concert hall. The piano,
as the single musical instrument most complete
in itself, the one capable of yielding the highest
and most satisfactory results for the greatest
number of people, is contributing its full share
to this rising tide of music.
29th Street and I Ith Ave., NEW YORK.
"No, we assure you. and we stake a reputation
of more than half a century upon it, the piano
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.
is not 'passing.' "
SPECIAL RATE FROM TEXAS
BEHR BROS. & CO.
PIANOS,
TH
THE PIANO NOT PASSING.
Fifty Million Dollars' Worth Made and Sold
in This Country Last Year—An Answer to
the Editorial in the New York Times from
Nahum Stetson, of Steinway & Sons.
MUSIC TRADE
11
REVIEW
FOSTER=ARMSTRONG EMPLOYES
SELECT $12,000 KIMBALL ORGAN
Seven Hundred Strong, Hold Picnic at Bay For the Auditorium at Topeka, Kansas—This
Pipe Organ Will have Four Manuals—Will
View — Great Gathering and Great Time
Be Ready in Six Months.
Enjoyed.
(Special to The Review.)
(Special to The Review.)
Topeka, Kan., July 2, 1904.
Rochester, N. Y., July 4, 1904.
In last week's Review we published with some
Last night after a deadlock of several weeks
The fifteenth annual picnic of the employes
comments the ridiculous editorial on "The Pass-
ing of the Piano" wliich appeared in the New of the Foster-Armstrong Company was held at the W. W. Kimball Co., of Chicago, were awarded
York Times of June 26, and take pleasure in Bay View July 1. Seven hundred men, young the contract to place a $12,000 pipe organ in the
printing herewith the reply sent to the editor and old, who help construct instruments that Auditorium by the Pipe Organ Association. At
adorn thousands of homes, left the city at nine the meeting, which was held in the Commercial
of the Times by Nahum Stetson in behalf of
Steinway & Sons, and which appeared in that o'clock that morning, with banners flying, a tre- Club rooms, some nineteen directors were pres-
mendous display of enthusiasm, and a brass ent and six ballots were taken, the final vote
publication on Saturday last:
"There must have been many music lovers, as band. They marched from the Brewster factory being thirteen for Kimball and six for Hook &
well as many people connected with music, also on State street up that thoroughfare to Main Hastings. Representatives from both companies
by professional or business relations, who were street; thence east to East avenue, where they were invited to be present, and make statements
relative to the merits of their instruments, but
disconcerted, shocked, or amused by the editorial boarded Glen Haven trolley cars, and were off
Mr. Hedgeland, of the Kimball Co., was the only
for the bay and a good time.
in last Sunday's Times entitled, "The Passing of
In the crowd were employes of five different outside representative present.
the Piano." Their emotions varied, no doubt,
The organ will be ready by December. I t
according to the knowledge they had of the real factories of the company—Foster & Co., Arm-
facts of the case. To those who are in a position strong Piano Co., Haines Bros., Marshall & Wen- takes almost half a year to build such an instru-
ment as the Topeka association has ordered.
to know these facts, the article carried with it dall Piano Co., and the Brewster Piano Co
its own refutation; but as it may have caused Along with the employes went superintendents The organ will have four manuals, 49 stops, 3,000
unfounded regrets to those who are in such and other heads of departments in the various pipes and accessories. Chimes of tubular bells
position, i t is well that the impression it gave factories. Robert Waud, general superintendent form one of the features. The organ will give
should be set right. Not only are its statements of the Foster-Armstrong Co., was master of cere- the effect of a full orchestra, every instrument
of fact entirely incorrect, but the implications monies, and he had assisting him a committee being imitated. Work will be commenced at
once at the Kimball factory in Chicago, and the
it conveys as to the present status and tendency of twenty-five men.
Each year the Foster-Armstrong Co. give their instrument can be set up in the Auditorium in
of musical art are equally unfounded.
"The piano, 'as an article of usual household employes a picnic. This year's outing was the time for the opening of the musical season just
furniture,' we are told is passing into innocuous best yet held. The prizes were larger, the at- before the holidays.
The organ will be of the same type as a series
desuetude. So far from this being the case, the tendance greater, and the interest displayed by
of large concert organs built by this company
output of pianos by American manufacturers, the picnicking party had never been equaled.
At the bay an all-day programme was carried and placed in a number of prominent cities In
having already reached enormous proportions, is
steadily increasing and in a degree much beyond out. It consisted of a ball game, track events, the United States in the last five years.
The Kansas representatives of the Kimball Co.
the increase of the population. The most trust- fat man's race, egg race, pie-eating contests, sack
races, and many other events intended to add a are the W. H. Roehr Music Co., of this city,
worthy statistics in the trade put the number of
pianos made and sold in this country last year liberal supply of fun. Hebing's Band furnished through whose strenuous labors the Kimball
at least at 150,000, of a value of from $40,000,000 the music, and at 12 o'clock dinner was served organ has been selected to grace our Auditorium.
at the bay pavilion. The prizes given the winners
to $50,000,000.
"For the American people, having paid $40,000,- of the contests were donated by the Foster-Arm-
000 to $50,00,000 for 150,000 pianos, are not let- strong Co., a number of other business houses
ting them 'remain silent,' in the words of your about the city, and by concerns outside of the For Dealers for the Fall Buying Season—Rate
of One and One-Third.
editorial. Nor is the business of teaching chil- city. The value of the prizes was about $700.
dren and young persons to play on the piano de-
The Southern Pacific Company on Tuesday an-
PRAISE FOR "THE OLD RELIABLE."
clining. The constant formation of new conser-
nounced to the Merchants' Association of New
vatories of music and the large attendance re-
Here is another of these testimonials received York that it will put in effect an individual
ported by them all show that this is not so. Still recently by C. L. Hill, representative of Geo. special rate from Texas to this city for the fall
more convincing evidence to the contrary is Steck & Co., in Fort "Wayne, Ind., which has de- buying season. The special merchants' fare of
given by the great music publishing and selling servedly won for the famous Steck piano the one and one-third for the round trip over the
houses. We are informed by one of the largest title of "Old Reliable." They reach Steck agents Southern Pacific system in Texas will be in
of these—one whose trade reaches into every without solicitation and tell—as this does—their effect on July 30-Aug. 3, inclusive, and Aug. 20-
corner of the United States—that the standard own story:
24, inclusive, via the New Orleans gateway, on
works for piano instruction, like Czerny's
the certificate plan. The return limit on the cer-
Fort Wayne, Ind., June 29, 1904.
studies, and others of the same sort, sell in con-
Dear Sir:—About six years ago I bought from tificates will be thirty days from date of issu-
stantly and largely increasing numbers, and the you a Geo. Steck piano. At the time I made the ance.
catalogues of this and other music publishing purchase, after deliberately investigating in the
The Southern Pacific Co. has also agreed to
houses show that a great flood of elementary manner best at my command, the merits and make the same reduced rate from points reached
and instructive pianoforte pieces is constantly nigh qualities of a score of prominent makes of
by its system in Texas in connection with water
pouring from their presses. These pieces would pianos, then as now within reach of the music- trip to New York from New Orleans on the
not be published if they were not sold, or bought loving American public, I made my decision, as Southern Pacific new passenger steamships. The
if they were not played.
you will recall, with self-confidence. Time has special fare of one and one-third by rail and
"Even if it were true, as the editorial asserts, confirmed the mistake that I did not make. My steamer also covers meals and stateroom while
that amateur work has been discouraged by the Steck piano is better to-day than when new and on board the boat.
multiplication of mechanical devices for playing desiring in this manner to convey to you my
The Merchants' Association will send to Texas
the piano, it is hard to see how this would con- appreciation of same, I remain,
merchants in the course of a few days the circu-
tribute to the 'passing of the piano,' for we have
lars giving full particulars as to rates, routes,
Respectfully, HORACE MABIOTTE.
yet to learn of any mechanical piano player that
dates, etc.
does; not need a piano to play on.
STIEFF PURCHASES ENTIRE STOCK.
"Not only these unquestionable facts and fig-
The entire stock of the Bennett-Bretz Piano HALLET & DAVIS PIANOS FOR THEATRES.
ures, but the general state of the art as known to
A handsome Hallet & Davis piano has re-
every observer, go to show that the cultivation Co. (now defunct), Harrisburg, Pa., has been
of music is not suffering such an eclipse as it purchased by Chas. M. Stieff, of Baltimore. The cently been furnished to the Star Theater by the
must be if the statements of the editorial are stock includes pianos already constructed, instru- Eilers Piano House, Portland, Oreg. This firm
true. The fact is that the people of this country ments in the course of construction, hardware, has also supplied the Marqnand Grand Theater,
are becoming more and more interested in veneer, varnish, machinery, and the entire con- with three pianos, the Bijou with a Crown, and
music; that the standards of taste and culture, tents of the building. It is thought that Mr. a Chickering was recently sold to the Arcade.
while they are steadily rising, encourage rather Stieff will have the instruments made up and This concern reports a good demand for Kimball
pianos.
than discourage efforts of amateurs; that music disposed of in Harrisburg.
is more and more welcomed and enjoyed in the
house, as well as in the concert hall. The piano,
as the single musical instrument most complete
in itself, the one capable of yielding the highest
and most satisfactory results for the greatest
number of people, is contributing its full share
to this rising tide of music.
29th Street and I Ith Ave., NEW YORK.
"No, we assure you. and we stake a reputation
of more than half a century upon it, the piano
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.
is not 'passing.' "
SPECIAL RATE FROM TEXAS
BEHR BROS. & CO.
PIANOS,
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).