Music Trade Review
Issue: 1904 Vol. 39 N. 8 - Page 13
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE: MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
STRICH & ZE1DLER PIANO AT ST. LOUIS.
In the Wisconsin State Building—Attracts Much Attention—Warmly Praised by Critics—
Carving Is Considered Unique.
Considerable has been said about the Strich &
Zeidler piano which is located in the Wisconsin
State building at the St. Louis Exposition. It is
attracting great admiration, and forms a capital
illustration of the class of work produced by the
celebrated New York house. Chas. J. Orth, who
is the Wisconsin State agent for the Strich &
Zeidler, is already feeling the effects of this expo-
sition exploitation of the Strich & Zeidler pro-
duct in an increased interest in pianos bearing
that name. The secretary of the Wisconsin State
Commission, Grant Thomas, has written a warmly
eulogistic letter to the New York manufacturers.
The illustrations which are presented herewith
show the Wisconsin building, and the way the
Strich & Zeidler chef d'oeuvre appears in one of
the prominent booths. A minute
description of the instrument has
been written by Leicester Allen,
which is herewith reproduced:
"As an example of the noble
and ancient art of wood carving,
carried to the highest perfection,
this country contains very few, if
any, rivals to it, and in composi-
tion, artistic feeling, delicacy and
firmness of treatment it is worthy
to rank among the best work of
European masters.
"The work is in the Raphael-
esque style, as taught in the pur-
est school of Italian Renaissance,
of which there are few examples
in America.
"The upper part of the frame
has what would be called in archi-
tecture a pediment, upon which
the artist has wrought the most
important part of the entire de-
sign and which will well repay
careful minute study.- The over-
lapping lower portion of this pedi-
ment consists of a mask symboliz-
ing dramatic art. This is sur-
mounted by quills which allegor-
ize poetry and which are artisti-
cally grouped with interlaced
twigs and foliage of oak laurel.
These are flanked by dolphins
and seized and held by claws of
love birds.
"Surmounting the mask is the
exquisitely chiseled figure of a
cherub, under the half of a bi-
valvular seashell, which forms a
canopy, and the hinge of which also forms a sort
of pedestal for the gracefully posed figure. Upon
the right hand of the figure a butterfly, symbol
of the human soul, is in the act of alighting, and
the left hand holds a garland artistically twined
about the figure. The extreme left and right
hand parts of the pediment show fishes reposing
in and just visible through entanglements of sea-
weed.
"The top molding is supported by consoles, each
of which is a grotesque of different design from
any of the others, and it may here be noted that
all duplicate parts of the work which have simi-
lar contours have distinct and individual treat-
ment. No two similarly formed pieces are exact-
ly alike in decoration. This variety in the treat-
ment of duplicate parts adds greatly to the orig-
inality and interest of the design.
"The upper full swinging frame has a central
panel, flanked on either side with smaller panels.
The larger panel has an oval center, the marginal
molding of which is treated to give the same
effect, except in color, as hammered silver work, •
and is surrounded with symmetrically arranged,
finely chiseled scroll work of foliage.
"In the center of the oval is a gracefully posed
Venus, surrounded by an artistically disposed
group of cupids, who have exchanged bows and
quivers for musical instruments. In the back-
ground a sunburst is shown, and in the right fore-
ground are symbols of musical art and composi-
tion.
"The bottom of the oval is occupied with finely
cut scroll work.
"The flanking smaller panels have each a gro-
tesque head as the center of a tasteful arabesque,
v, r hich decorates the space remaining.
"The left pilaster of the upper full swinging
frame is decorated with a male and the right
with a female figure; both these figures are su-
perbly chiseled.
"Each of the trusses of the keyboard and the
ornamental pieces that decorate the arms has
been treated differently from the other. The truss
at the left of the plate is decorated with a face
slightly grotesque, while the face of the one on
13
that the Kimball Co., of Chicago, the original
builders of the organ, have been awarded the
contract for the remodeling of the instrument
and also for its redecoration.
The work will require several months, and in
order to accomplish it the builders will remove
the entire structure to Chicago, where the factory
is located, and after it is finished will send it
back again. The mammoth proportions of the
instrument are better understood when it is ex-
plained that to ship the entire structure will re-
quire seven freight cars and involve the handling
of thousands of separate pieces. The removal is
to be started in a short time, the only stipulation
being that the instrument must be ready for the
cathedral when wanted by the trustees, and this
will be in from six to nine months. The general
architecture of the instrument will not be
changed being constructed on Gothic lines, which
is the style of the new structure in which it will
be placed.
STRICH & ZEIDLER PIANO IN WISCONSIN STATE BUILDING AT THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION.
the right has been conceived and modeled by one
inspired by the genius of beauty and art.
"The shelf and keyboard are ornamented with Desire American Firms Having a Japanese
Trade to Support the Soldiers' Relief Fund.
low relief moldings, and the handle of the fall is
a lion's head, forming part of a graceful design
(Special to The Review.)
which includes the escutcheon of the keyhole on
Detroit, Mich., August 15, 1904.
the key slip.
The Farrand Organ Co., and other Detroit
"The solid carved work and the veneering are firms, who have business connections in Japan,
of the finest San Domingo mahogany. All ex- have received directly from Tokio circulars from
posed metal work is gold plated.
the Gunjin Izoku Kiugogikwai, which translated
"As a specimen of what can be done in wood into English means the Soldiers' Families Relief
sculpture in the decoration of a musical instru- Association, soliciting contributions for the relief
ment, I believe the equal of this work has never of the families of Japanese soldiers who have
been seen in this country, and I think it sets the been killed in the war with Russia. The circu-
pace for a new era in piano decoration in the lar contains the following appeal:
United States."
"Thus the Japanese youths have been sum-
moned to the field pledging their own death that
the nation may live. They being imbued with
patriotic spirit have not a moment to reflect upon
the financial condition of the families whom they
leave behind. Consequently these families are
Work Necessary to Make It Conform to Posi- obliged to depend upon the sympathy of the gen-
tion in New Cathedral.
eral public for their support."
JAPS APPEAL FOR FUNDS.
ST. PAUL'S ORGAN TO
BE RECONSTRUCTED.
(Special to The Review.)
Pittsburg, Pa., August 15, 1904.
The big organ presented to St. Paul's Cathedral
by Andrew Carnegie a couple of years ago is to
be reconstructed to make It conform with the lo-
cation it will hereafter occupy in the new cathe-
dral in Bellefield. It was announced yesterday
The new Christman retail piano warerooms, 35
West 14th street, were opened early in the week.
They are much more spacious than the premises
at 39 West 14th street, previously occupied. The
exhibit of Christman pianos now on view is large
and very attractive.
THE: MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
STRICH & ZE1DLER PIANO AT ST. LOUIS.
In the Wisconsin State Building—Attracts Much Attention—Warmly Praised by Critics—
Carving Is Considered Unique.
Considerable has been said about the Strich &
Zeidler piano which is located in the Wisconsin
State building at the St. Louis Exposition. It is
attracting great admiration, and forms a capital
illustration of the class of work produced by the
celebrated New York house. Chas. J. Orth, who
is the Wisconsin State agent for the Strich &
Zeidler, is already feeling the effects of this expo-
sition exploitation of the Strich & Zeidler pro-
duct in an increased interest in pianos bearing
that name. The secretary of the Wisconsin State
Commission, Grant Thomas, has written a warmly
eulogistic letter to the New York manufacturers.
The illustrations which are presented herewith
show the Wisconsin building, and the way the
Strich & Zeidler chef d'oeuvre appears in one of
the prominent booths. A minute
description of the instrument has
been written by Leicester Allen,
which is herewith reproduced:
"As an example of the noble
and ancient art of wood carving,
carried to the highest perfection,
this country contains very few, if
any, rivals to it, and in composi-
tion, artistic feeling, delicacy and
firmness of treatment it is worthy
to rank among the best work of
European masters.
"The work is in the Raphael-
esque style, as taught in the pur-
est school of Italian Renaissance,
of which there are few examples
in America.
"The upper part of the frame
has what would be called in archi-
tecture a pediment, upon which
the artist has wrought the most
important part of the entire de-
sign and which will well repay
careful minute study.- The over-
lapping lower portion of this pedi-
ment consists of a mask symboliz-
ing dramatic art. This is sur-
mounted by quills which allegor-
ize poetry and which are artisti-
cally grouped with interlaced
twigs and foliage of oak laurel.
These are flanked by dolphins
and seized and held by claws of
love birds.
"Surmounting the mask is the
exquisitely chiseled figure of a
cherub, under the half of a bi-
valvular seashell, which forms a
canopy, and the hinge of which also forms a sort
of pedestal for the gracefully posed figure. Upon
the right hand of the figure a butterfly, symbol
of the human soul, is in the act of alighting, and
the left hand holds a garland artistically twined
about the figure. The extreme left and right
hand parts of the pediment show fishes reposing
in and just visible through entanglements of sea-
weed.
"The top molding is supported by consoles, each
of which is a grotesque of different design from
any of the others, and it may here be noted that
all duplicate parts of the work which have simi-
lar contours have distinct and individual treat-
ment. No two similarly formed pieces are exact-
ly alike in decoration. This variety in the treat-
ment of duplicate parts adds greatly to the orig-
inality and interest of the design.
"The upper full swinging frame has a central
panel, flanked on either side with smaller panels.
The larger panel has an oval center, the marginal
molding of which is treated to give the same
effect, except in color, as hammered silver work, •
and is surrounded with symmetrically arranged,
finely chiseled scroll work of foliage.
"In the center of the oval is a gracefully posed
Venus, surrounded by an artistically disposed
group of cupids, who have exchanged bows and
quivers for musical instruments. In the back-
ground a sunburst is shown, and in the right fore-
ground are symbols of musical art and composi-
tion.
"The bottom of the oval is occupied with finely
cut scroll work.
"The flanking smaller panels have each a gro-
tesque head as the center of a tasteful arabesque,
v, r hich decorates the space remaining.
"The left pilaster of the upper full swinging
frame is decorated with a male and the right
with a female figure; both these figures are su-
perbly chiseled.
"Each of the trusses of the keyboard and the
ornamental pieces that decorate the arms has
been treated differently from the other. The truss
at the left of the plate is decorated with a face
slightly grotesque, while the face of the one on
13
that the Kimball Co., of Chicago, the original
builders of the organ, have been awarded the
contract for the remodeling of the instrument
and also for its redecoration.
The work will require several months, and in
order to accomplish it the builders will remove
the entire structure to Chicago, where the factory
is located, and after it is finished will send it
back again. The mammoth proportions of the
instrument are better understood when it is ex-
plained that to ship the entire structure will re-
quire seven freight cars and involve the handling
of thousands of separate pieces. The removal is
to be started in a short time, the only stipulation
being that the instrument must be ready for the
cathedral when wanted by the trustees, and this
will be in from six to nine months. The general
architecture of the instrument will not be
changed being constructed on Gothic lines, which
is the style of the new structure in which it will
be placed.
STRICH & ZEIDLER PIANO IN WISCONSIN STATE BUILDING AT THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION.
the right has been conceived and modeled by one
inspired by the genius of beauty and art.
"The shelf and keyboard are ornamented with Desire American Firms Having a Japanese
Trade to Support the Soldiers' Relief Fund.
low relief moldings, and the handle of the fall is
a lion's head, forming part of a graceful design
(Special to The Review.)
which includes the escutcheon of the keyhole on
Detroit, Mich., August 15, 1904.
the key slip.
The Farrand Organ Co., and other Detroit
"The solid carved work and the veneering are firms, who have business connections in Japan,
of the finest San Domingo mahogany. All ex- have received directly from Tokio circulars from
posed metal work is gold plated.
the Gunjin Izoku Kiugogikwai, which translated
"As a specimen of what can be done in wood into English means the Soldiers' Families Relief
sculpture in the decoration of a musical instru- Association, soliciting contributions for the relief
ment, I believe the equal of this work has never of the families of Japanese soldiers who have
been seen in this country, and I think it sets the been killed in the war with Russia. The circu-
pace for a new era in piano decoration in the lar contains the following appeal:
United States."
"Thus the Japanese youths have been sum-
moned to the field pledging their own death that
the nation may live. They being imbued with
patriotic spirit have not a moment to reflect upon
the financial condition of the families whom they
leave behind. Consequently these families are
Work Necessary to Make It Conform to Posi- obliged to depend upon the sympathy of the gen-
tion in New Cathedral.
eral public for their support."
JAPS APPEAL FOR FUNDS.
ST. PAUL'S ORGAN TO
BE RECONSTRUCTED.
(Special to The Review.)
Pittsburg, Pa., August 15, 1904.
The big organ presented to St. Paul's Cathedral
by Andrew Carnegie a couple of years ago is to
be reconstructed to make It conform with the lo-
cation it will hereafter occupy in the new cathe-
dral in Bellefield. It was announced yesterday
The new Christman retail piano warerooms, 35
West 14th street, were opened early in the week.
They are much more spacious than the premises
at 39 West 14th street, previously occupied. The
exhibit of Christman pianos now on view is large
and very attractive.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).