Music Trade Review
Issue: 1910 Vol. 50 N. 17 - Page 47
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
1
MUSIC
TRADE
1 U
^ ^
VOL. L. N o . 17.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, April 23,1910
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
$8.00 PER YEAR.
WHY DO MANY MUSICAL COMEDIES FAIL?
composer reasonable time in which to write it,
tl.en let them do their own revising during the
rehearsal and out-of-town periods, and inform the
Two Reasons Given by Member of Shubert Forces—Too Much Freedom for Performers, and the
performers that they are the cast and not the
Wholesale Interpolating of Irrelevant Songs.
writers.
After all, there are only the following few
By EDWARD LASKA.
real composers in America to-day, and any one
In the construction and writing of any artistic gest musical comedy successes, and he is always of them is well able, under the proper condi-
work there must be maintained a strict harmony entirely responsible.
tions, to write a complete musical score without
A. Baldwin Sloane, one of the cleverest of to- the assistance of the "tin-pan" music writers:
ol' entirety and a perfect balance of variety and
changing emotion, which seem only possible when day's composers, is well able to write the twenty
Victor Herbert, Julian Edwards, A. Baldwin
the complete work is molded and executed by one musical numbers of any piece he starts out to do. Sloane, Silvio Hein, Raymond Hubbell, Gustav
competent and artistic mind. This, of course, The old Rogers Bros, and Weber & Fields shows Kerker, Allied Robyn, Reginald De Koven, Geo.
were always written by one composer, and their M. Cohan, Gustav Luders, Win. T. Francis, John
includes collaboration, when it is the result of
success need not be recalled to anyone who re- L. Golden, Karl Hoschna, Joe Howard, Manuel
close consultation. However, in the production of
musical comedies recently there seems to be a members the time when they ruled the melody Klein, John Phijip Sousa, Ben Jerome, Maurice
of Broadway.
Levi.
total breach of this principle.
When a dramatist completes a play and it goes
Interpolations May Mean Failure.
into rehearsal, the performers are given their
And so on, one could mention opera after
parts, and study and play them in accordance opera, and it seems impossible to deny that,
with the author's original or revised version. when a piece is interpolated with songs, unless
Jerome
H. Remick & Co. Lease Four-story
If, during rehearsals, the actors find certain it be a show on the vaudeville style, such as
Building at Annual Rental of $11,000—Big
scenes or lines difficult of expression or impos- "The Midnight Sons," "The Jolly Bachelors,"
Deal Caused by Growth of Business.
sible from some other point of view, the author is etc., unless the lyrics and music are written by
consulted and he will rewrite it to suit, and be one capable author and one thorough composer,
Final papers were passed on Friday of last week
most thankful for the suggestion. But, would ii" is doomed to mediocre success or absolute
whereby Jerome H. Remick & Co. acquire a
the actor or manager call in some inferior "hack failure. Of course, there must be an explanation
lease of the four-story building at 1343 Broad-
writer" to fit in a new scene or edit the lines of of the reason of interpolations, and the main one
way, Herald Square. The present Remick "song
the original writer? Absolutely not; yet this seems to be in the fact that in musical come-
shop." two doors south of this number, is to be
same thing is done to-day in musical comedy, dies to-day the actors are allowed, and possibly
moved into the new location about June 1, and
especially with the lyrics and music, while these demand, too much liberty in the selection of
the firm will then have one of the largest music
two elements, above all others, should strictly be their own songs and even in the rewriting of
stores in the city, and by far the largest of any
the well-balanced work of one man. Is there any their own parts. The authors and perhaps even
stores devoted to popular music. The annual
better form of proof than by example?
the managers are hardly consulted, and the re- rental of the newly-leased building is given as
sult is an absolute break in the original concep- $11,000, which of itself has wide significance as
List of Composers and Works as Example.
tion of the writer and an element of disjointed to the possibilities of the business of popular
It is unnecessary to give the long list of
music publishing.
French, German and Austrian composers, all of and incongruous entertainment.
It is not that the writers of the show cannot
Remick & Co. believe that the growth of their
whom wrote and still write the entire music of
their operas. Interpolations are unheard of in supply the very thing required by the perform- business up to the present time indicates further
those countries. Planquette, Straus, Milloecker, ers, but that they are not given the ooportunity expansion of the industry, and the fact that their
Offenbach, etc., are included in the list. The or even consulted. Unfortunately this is very confidence therein has led to such a large under-
often the result of monetary inducements made taking, to establish one of their outlets for their
list would also include:
All of Victor Herbert's operas, and they num- to the actors by song writers, and music pub- own and other publications, will undoubtedly
ber among the greatest American successes, lishers. Of course, there have been a few cases cause much interested comment in the publish-
'"Mile. Modiste," "The Red Mill," "Babes in Toy- in which an interpolated song has had the effect ing field and in the music world in general.
of lifting the show to success, but 90 per cent,
The store on the street floor will have a front-
land," etc., etc.
Reginald De Koven's "Robin Hood," etc. All of the wholesale interpolated musical comedies age of 25 feet and depth of about 70 feet, and it
of John Philip Sousa's operas, "El Capitain," have failed. The impulsive cry of "new num- is expected that so large a space, in one of the
etc. Julian Edwards' "Dolly Varden," etc. Pix- bers" seems to be the same to the musical com- busiest sections of New York, the heart of the
ley and Luders' operas, among them being "King edy as is the cry of "help" to the drowning man. theatrical and shopping districts, will lead to a
Dodo," "The Burgomaster," "The Prince of Pil- The fault very often lies in the improper rendi- retail business of great volume. We understand
tion, position or production of the songs or the that plans are being considered for the erection
sen," "Woodland," and "Marcelle."
of a gigantic sign to advertise the Remick hits
"Three Twins" had no interpolations. Gus- poorness of the book.
on the front of the building. Such a sign could
tave Kerker's success, "Belle of New York," had
Cannot Take Place of Needed Merit.
If the original composer has entirely "fallen be some 50 feet high and 25 feet wide. Its cumu-
none. To-day's greatest Broadway hits, "The
Chocolate Soldier" and "The Dollar Princess" are down" on his end of the work, the piece will be lative effect, especially if illuminated at night,
practically wholly by Leon Fall. Leslie Stuart a lingering failure; and very seldom will the would be tremendous In that locality, but whether
always insists upon no interpolations, the result interpolating system resurrect it. Of course, in so large a sign will be practicable when space
of which was numerous hits, including "Floro- a case of this kind one cannot blame the man- in the upper floors is sublet, as pre-ent plans
agers for using every possible means of whip- contemplate, will remain for the Remick man-
dora" and "Havana."
The bigge?t musical comedy hits in the West ping the show into some improved shape, but a agers to determine. The outcome of the enter-
to-day are by Joe Howard, and absolutely without good composer with the proper authority right prise will be watched with interest by all con-
interpolations. The music of the Hippodrome is from the start is a pretty sure preventative of cerned in music publishing. In view of the well-
known energy and ability of the Remick forces
always successful, and every note of it is always the possibility of such conditions.
As mentioned before, the piece on the vaude- we predict that another big success will be added
written by Manuel Klein.
Franz Lehar required no American song writ- ville style is not marred, but is even enhanced, to the firm's record. As the top of the newly
ers to make "The Merry Widow" the greatest hit by the interpolated novelty numbers; but when leased building is in view from Broadway and
perhaps ever produced. Geo. M. Cohan has sup- a piece is intended to be a coherent musical Forty-second street, an electric sign may be
plied the American stage with some of its big- comedy or comic opera, give the author and erected there instead of on the front.
NEW "SONG SHOP" FOR BROADWAY.
1
MUSIC
TRADE
1 U
^ ^
VOL. L. N o . 17.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, April 23,1910
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
$8.00 PER YEAR.
WHY DO MANY MUSICAL COMEDIES FAIL?
composer reasonable time in which to write it,
tl.en let them do their own revising during the
rehearsal and out-of-town periods, and inform the
Two Reasons Given by Member of Shubert Forces—Too Much Freedom for Performers, and the
performers that they are the cast and not the
Wholesale Interpolating of Irrelevant Songs.
writers.
After all, there are only the following few
By EDWARD LASKA.
real composers in America to-day, and any one
In the construction and writing of any artistic gest musical comedy successes, and he is always of them is well able, under the proper condi-
work there must be maintained a strict harmony entirely responsible.
tions, to write a complete musical score without
A. Baldwin Sloane, one of the cleverest of to- the assistance of the "tin-pan" music writers:
ol' entirety and a perfect balance of variety and
changing emotion, which seem only possible when day's composers, is well able to write the twenty
Victor Herbert, Julian Edwards, A. Baldwin
the complete work is molded and executed by one musical numbers of any piece he starts out to do. Sloane, Silvio Hein, Raymond Hubbell, Gustav
competent and artistic mind. This, of course, The old Rogers Bros, and Weber & Fields shows Kerker, Allied Robyn, Reginald De Koven, Geo.
were always written by one composer, and their M. Cohan, Gustav Luders, Win. T. Francis, John
includes collaboration, when it is the result of
success need not be recalled to anyone who re- L. Golden, Karl Hoschna, Joe Howard, Manuel
close consultation. However, in the production of
musical comedies recently there seems to be a members the time when they ruled the melody Klein, John Phijip Sousa, Ben Jerome, Maurice
of Broadway.
Levi.
total breach of this principle.
When a dramatist completes a play and it goes
Interpolations May Mean Failure.
into rehearsal, the performers are given their
And so on, one could mention opera after
parts, and study and play them in accordance opera, and it seems impossible to deny that,
with the author's original or revised version. when a piece is interpolated with songs, unless
Jerome
H. Remick & Co. Lease Four-story
If, during rehearsals, the actors find certain it be a show on the vaudeville style, such as
Building at Annual Rental of $11,000—Big
scenes or lines difficult of expression or impos- "The Midnight Sons," "The Jolly Bachelors,"
Deal Caused by Growth of Business.
sible from some other point of view, the author is etc., unless the lyrics and music are written by
consulted and he will rewrite it to suit, and be one capable author and one thorough composer,
Final papers were passed on Friday of last week
most thankful for the suggestion. But, would ii" is doomed to mediocre success or absolute
whereby Jerome H. Remick & Co. acquire a
the actor or manager call in some inferior "hack failure. Of course, there must be an explanation
lease of the four-story building at 1343 Broad-
writer" to fit in a new scene or edit the lines of of the reason of interpolations, and the main one
way, Herald Square. The present Remick "song
the original writer? Absolutely not; yet this seems to be in the fact that in musical come-
shop." two doors south of this number, is to be
same thing is done to-day in musical comedy, dies to-day the actors are allowed, and possibly
moved into the new location about June 1, and
especially with the lyrics and music, while these demand, too much liberty in the selection of
the firm will then have one of the largest music
two elements, above all others, should strictly be their own songs and even in the rewriting of
stores in the city, and by far the largest of any
the well-balanced work of one man. Is there any their own parts. The authors and perhaps even
stores devoted to popular music. The annual
better form of proof than by example?
the managers are hardly consulted, and the re- rental of the newly-leased building is given as
sult is an absolute break in the original concep- $11,000, which of itself has wide significance as
List of Composers and Works as Example.
tion of the writer and an element of disjointed to the possibilities of the business of popular
It is unnecessary to give the long list of
music publishing.
French, German and Austrian composers, all of and incongruous entertainment.
It is not that the writers of the show cannot
Remick & Co. believe that the growth of their
whom wrote and still write the entire music of
their operas. Interpolations are unheard of in supply the very thing required by the perform- business up to the present time indicates further
those countries. Planquette, Straus, Milloecker, ers, but that they are not given the ooportunity expansion of the industry, and the fact that their
Offenbach, etc., are included in the list. The or even consulted. Unfortunately this is very confidence therein has led to such a large under-
often the result of monetary inducements made taking, to establish one of their outlets for their
list would also include:
All of Victor Herbert's operas, and they num- to the actors by song writers, and music pub- own and other publications, will undoubtedly
ber among the greatest American successes, lishers. Of course, there have been a few cases cause much interested comment in the publish-
'"Mile. Modiste," "The Red Mill," "Babes in Toy- in which an interpolated song has had the effect ing field and in the music world in general.
of lifting the show to success, but 90 per cent,
The store on the street floor will have a front-
land," etc., etc.
Reginald De Koven's "Robin Hood," etc. All of the wholesale interpolated musical comedies age of 25 feet and depth of about 70 feet, and it
of John Philip Sousa's operas, "El Capitain," have failed. The impulsive cry of "new num- is expected that so large a space, in one of the
etc. Julian Edwards' "Dolly Varden," etc. Pix- bers" seems to be the same to the musical com- busiest sections of New York, the heart of the
ley and Luders' operas, among them being "King edy as is the cry of "help" to the drowning man. theatrical and shopping districts, will lead to a
Dodo," "The Burgomaster," "The Prince of Pil- The fault very often lies in the improper rendi- retail business of great volume. We understand
tion, position or production of the songs or the that plans are being considered for the erection
sen," "Woodland," and "Marcelle."
of a gigantic sign to advertise the Remick hits
"Three Twins" had no interpolations. Gus- poorness of the book.
on the front of the building. Such a sign could
tave Kerker's success, "Belle of New York," had
Cannot Take Place of Needed Merit.
If the original composer has entirely "fallen be some 50 feet high and 25 feet wide. Its cumu-
none. To-day's greatest Broadway hits, "The
Chocolate Soldier" and "The Dollar Princess" are down" on his end of the work, the piece will be lative effect, especially if illuminated at night,
practically wholly by Leon Fall. Leslie Stuart a lingering failure; and very seldom will the would be tremendous In that locality, but whether
always insists upon no interpolations, the result interpolating system resurrect it. Of course, in so large a sign will be practicable when space
of which was numerous hits, including "Floro- a case of this kind one cannot blame the man- in the upper floors is sublet, as pre-ent plans
agers for using every possible means of whip- contemplate, will remain for the Remick man-
dora" and "Havana."
The bigge?t musical comedy hits in the West ping the show into some improved shape, but a agers to determine. The outcome of the enter-
to-day are by Joe Howard, and absolutely without good composer with the proper authority right prise will be watched with interest by all con-
interpolations. The music of the Hippodrome is from the start is a pretty sure preventative of cerned in music publishing. In view of the well-
known energy and ability of the Remick forces
always successful, and every note of it is always the possibility of such conditions.
As mentioned before, the piece on the vaude- we predict that another big success will be added
written by Manuel Klein.
Franz Lehar required no American song writ- ville style is not marred, but is even enhanced, to the firm's record. As the top of the newly
ers to make "The Merry Widow" the greatest hit by the interpolated novelty numbers; but when leased building is in view from Broadway and
perhaps ever produced. Geo. M. Cohan has sup- a piece is intended to be a coherent musical Forty-second street, an electric sign may be
plied the American stage with some of its big- comedy or comic opera, give the author and erected there instead of on the front.
NEW "SONG SHOP" FOR BROADWAY.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).