Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
41
V5IC rVBLISMIN©
GENERAL MARKET SATISFACTORY.
The Prevalent Prosperity of the Country Re-
flected in the Musical Publishing Field—
Demand for Higher Grade of Light Music
Evident.
A calm survey of the music publishing busi-
ness leads the observer to the conclusion that
while perhaps few changes in the "hot bunch"
are apparent, with the better grade houses con-
tentment with conditions is noticeable. After the
swirl of the past two years on prices and the
cutting fiend, publishers with the goods seem
resolved to take care of themselves and their
business, leaving the other fellows to the fate
in which the old boy takes the hindmost. Busi-
ness is assuming goodly proportions, with pros-
pects of improvement on every side. Sales are
increasing, and the market for production ma-
terial very satisfactory.
The general prosperity of the country is at-
tracting musical talent from all parts of the
world, and the home development is creating a
demand for a higher grade of light music as well
as increasing the sale of standard and serious,
not to say classical compositions. The publica-
tion of this class of music is not altogether con-
fined to the publishers whose names have hereto-
fore been connected therewith; but the producers
of popular prices are gradually, but surely, en-
croaching upon their preserves, piercing the in-
ner circle, as it were, and issuing folios that are
a credit, both in appearance and contents, to the
best traditions in this line. What may follow
should this inclination be followed to its logical
conclusion perhaps even the wisest are not pre
pared to say, but with the vigor and aggressive-
ness characteristic of business promotion in
popular music, should the line of non-copyrights
in select standard music receive further addi-
tions, something serious in the matter of price
and process of marketing is bound to ensue. But
in this instance, fortunately only a theory and
not a condition confronts the publishing trade.
Commenting on the situation a publisher said
to The Review: "We are. indeed, hopeful of
trade being up to expectations. Every indica-
tion points to a period of prosperity, as trade is
improving weekly. The musical season, not only
in connection with professional productions, but
with the public at large, is more than promising.
Americans are the most musical of people, and
this fact, coupled with another pleasing condi-
Complete yocal score and Separate Numbers of
"THE ROSE OF THE ALHAMBRA"
Book and Lyrics by CHAS. EMERSON COOK.
Music by LUCIUS HOSMER.
Featuring the well-known prlma donna,
Mme. LILLIAN BLAUVELT.
Supplementary Songs In the following productions :
EDNA MAT'S New Musical Play,
"THE CATCH OP THE SEASON."
"RAINING"
By Jerome D. Kern
SHUBEBT BROS.' English Musical Comedy Success,
"THE EARL AND THE GIRL."
"HOW'D YOU LIKE TO SPOON WITH ME."
Max. C. Eugene's hit, "IN ROSELAND" Intermezzo
Published bv
T.
B. HARMS CO.
26 West 44th St.
NEW YORK
SPECIAL TO THE TRADE
Any SPECIAL SUMMER OFFERS
that you may have received are only
good to Sept. 1st next, after which
time regular rates will prevail.
BETTER ORDER NOW !
GUS EDWARDS CO.
1512 Broadway,
N. Y. City
tion, that of great wealth and general prosperity,
is attracting the musicians of Europe, who are
coming here in flocks. To be sure, this may not
boom the business of the publishers, but "every
little bit helps," as one of our songs has it,
and you know musical attractions beget other
things in that line, and we will get a share of the
tendency in that direction."
REVIEWOGRAPHS.
E. Goodman, a director of Chapuell & Co.,
Ltd., who came over from London to establish a
branch house in New York, sailed for England
Tuesday morning on the "Caronia," of the Cun-
ard line. W. T. Eastman, manager of the Ameri-
can end, and George Maxwell, of Boosey & Co.,
were at the pier to wish Mr. Goodman bon voy-
age. It is not this accomplished gentleman's
last visit to the States by any means, and doubt-
less he will come more frequently now that the
connection is closer.
Charles Dillingham Monday arranged for a
new comic opera, entitled "The Mascot of the
Troop," to be written for Fritzi Scheff. She will
appear in it after next season. Miss Scheff will
continue in "Mile. Modiste" for this season and
next.
The music publishers will make a brave show
at the National Music Show at Madison Square
Garden next week. Among the leading firms
who will make exhibits are Hinds, Noble & El-
dredge, J. H. Remick & Co., F. A. Mills and
others of less importance.
In a suit recently commenced for payment of
a bill between two prominent publishers, the
debtor, after giving notes, which were not met
at. maturity, as was anticipated, coolly answered
that as the goods were sold to a corporation,
since dissolved, personally he was not liable.
The case is now on the calendar, and unless
settled out of court, promises some interesting
developments should a jury trial be had.
The Jefferson de Angelis Opera Co. will open
at the National Theater, Washington, D. C, Oc-
tober 8, in a new comic opera, "The Girl and
the Governor." The book is by S. M. Brenner
and the music by Julian Edwards.
Joyous reports have it that Harry von Tilzer,
the song writer, has married a wealthy widow,
and therefore feels not the necessity of cudgel-
ing his brain for melodious ideas. As the lady
is said to have a daughter, Jules v T. has
averred he may marry her, and in that event
Harry will be his father.
Annie Buckley, who scored in a character part
in "Marrying Mary," singing "Gwendolyn," an
Irish ballad, in a remarkably effective manner,
will make a tour of Ireland under the manage-
ment of Daniel V. Arthur next season. A con-
tract was signed last week between Miss Buck-
ley and Mr. Arthur. It is either make or break
in these musical comedies, but "Marrying Mary '
is making good.
SOME NOVELTIES IN SONGS.
"If You Don't Stop I'll Scream," by John B.
Lowitz, the cartoonist, and author of "Don't Ar-
gify" and "Hello, Peaches!"—the latter now hav-
ing received phonographic honors—is a positive
novelty, and will be done in a vaudeville sketch
by Charles B. Lawlor and his daughter. "Just
Like You" is Mr. Lowitz's latest song, the music
being written by S. N. Walton, and which will
be interpolated in one of the large Schubert pro-
ductions. Willis Woodward & Co. are the pub-
lishers.
Sam M. Lewis, who has returned from a busi-
ness trip down East for Woodward & Co., re-
ports trade excellent.
Among the Woodward sellers are: "We'll Be
Sweethearts Till the End," "Hello, Peaches!"
"Target Practice," "A Flower from Home, Sweet
Home," and "Lucinda Lonely."
PROFESSIONAL COPIES OF MUSIC.
One of the Great Drains Upon the Popular
Trade—Not Enough Judgment Exercised in
the Distribution of Copies.
One of the questions among publishers, of
more or less burning nature, is that of profes-
sional copies of music. Unless directly in the
business the average person knows little of the
drain upon the publishing trade if every request
were acceded to. Musicians and reputed teachers
are the worst offenders in this respect, with
recognized professional singers the least to
blame, as copies of this kind were and are yet
primarily intended for their use, although the
privilege is susceptible of abuse; in fact, has
been outrageously abused.
Publishers them-
selves are not lacking who have regarded "pro-
fessional copies" as a species of advertising, and
have scattered them right and left, on the slight-
est excuse, to applicants to whom such courtesies
should be peremptorily denied.
When this course is followed, usually by the
irresponsible "hot air mills," which lack capital
sure, and brains positively, it serves to ruin the
market for the sale of regular goods. Many
people outside of the trade, especially in the
large cities, are "wise" to the intrinsic value of
the "professional" copy if it is the score only
they desire; and in this class belongs the teacher
or the average musician, neither of whom are en-
titled to other than the usual, but not the trade,
discount. Chances are when a bunch of "pro-
fessional copies" fall into their hands they are
distributed among their pupils, and the effect of
this may easily be imagined, considering the
thousands and tens of thousands of music schol-
ars—vocal and instrumental—in the country.
Publishers are not wanting who have abol-
ished "professional copies" altogether. Others
have restricted the supply in different ways. The
plan adopted by Charles K. Harris, however,
seems not only sane and sensible, but eminently
practical. He has two kinds of printed circulars,
which are used as the occasion requires. For
example, one reads as follows: "Notice—To non-
professionals, music teachers, private individuals,
etc.: Professional copies are for the exclusive
use of recognized singers only appearing upon
NOTICE
TO THE TRADE
ON AND AFTER
/ulv ist, jgo6, all the Francis, Day & Hunter
publications previously handled by The T. B. Harms
Publishing Co. must be ordered direct from us.
The F., D. & H. Catalogue includes all
the music from
"FLORODORA"
"THE SILVER S L I P P E R "
"THE SCHOOL GIRL"
etc.. etc., etc., etc., etc.
Francis, Day & Hunter, ^
NOW
READY:
THE STAR DANCE FOLIO
NO. 6
The "W. W." Mandolin Collection
INO. A
THE REMICK ORCHESTRA FOLIO—NO. 1
JEROME H. REMICK & CO.
45
West 2Hth Street, New York
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