Music Trade Review
Issue: 1910 Vol. 50 N. 24 - Page 47
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VOL. L. N o . 24.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, June 11,1910
WITH THE BOSTON PUBLISHERS.
Don Ramsay Opposed to Illustrated Songs—
Public Not Satisfied and Publishers Lose—
Music Publishers' Association's Field Day—
Ditson Co.'s Wide Publicity—Some Late Of-
ferings by Various Houses.
(Special to The Review.)
Boston, Mass., June 6, 1910.
"One of the greatest evils of the popular song
industry in New England," says Don Ramsay,
the well known writer with Walter Jacobs, "is
embraced in the illustrated song singing. Hun-
dreds of moving picture show houses are
scattered all over New England, one, two and
more theaters (if such can be classed as a
'theater') being located in a city or town. These
all feature illustrated songs, securing their ma-
terial from the latest publications of the popular
publishers, and the rendition is usually done by
cheaply paid singers. Take any new song, for
instance, it is generally sung, or rather 'howled'
but two or three days, when another song is
selected. The public have no opportunity at all
to hear the song properly sung; they gauge its
qualities by the poor vocal efforts of the
'artistic' performer, and the result is that no
calls for it are made at the music stores. To
support my contention, here is one 'proof and
F could cite many: One of our numbers was
sung for three days at a show house located in
a medium sized city; not a counter got even a
call for it. Sometime after that a quartet ren-
dered it one night, and within a few days we
received business aggregating over 100 copies,
the rendition being solely responsible for creat-
ing this trade. And it's this careless indifferent
singing by illustrated song 'artists' that is re-
tarding the growth of popular songs, and the
remedy would be to sing a number for at least
one week or longer, with sufficient prior rehearsals
to allow the performer to absorb the peculiar
interpretation of the author's acoustic and
lyric composition.
"What are publishers now securing for the
use of their music by these illustrated song
houses? Not one cent! They even go so far as
to throw the words of the chorus on a screen,
even though the song is copyrighted. It is hoped
the publishers will come together and attempt
to secure some legislation whereby they will be
protected, as they are in other directions, with
royalty and regulations covering their use. The
promiscuous seizing of popular songs and their
'punk' rendition are two factors that are
responsible for the poor popular music condi-
tions in New England and an adjustment of the
'cause' will greatly improve this class of busi-
ness in this territory."
The Boston Music Publishers' Association will
soon hold their annual field day, the date and
place not being definitely settled upon at this
writing. Secretary C. A. Woodman has charge
of the "Doings" program and there will be
plenty of amusement.
"Natural Laws in Piano Technic," by Mary
Wood Chase, is the latest edition to be added
to the Music Students' Library, published by the
Oliver Ditson Co. It's a compact volume deal-
ing with the principal features of piano instruc-
tion in 19 chapters, profusely illustrated, and a
compendium of knowledge that any pupil of any
grade could well afford to absorb. The language
is plain, being written with a view to aiding the
student as well as the teacher, whereby the many
difficult technicalities of pianoforte performing
may be easily understood. Cloth bound, price
?1.25.
25,000 copies of a 32-page catalog entitled
"Educational Music" were recently mailed to
schools by the Oliver Ditson Co. and on every
page is the phrase, "Order of your home dealer
or of the above houses," which shows the co-
operation of the Ditson house to advance the
interests of the "home dealer." Tapper's graded
piano course is creating a big success for itself
with piano teachers who are keeping in touch
with educational advance. 18 volumes comprise
the course and it is the only one that instructs
in all essential lines of music. The teachers'
introduction price will be advanced September
1 and nearly all who have examined this work
have recognized its value by an order.
Banks M! Davidson, of the White-Smith
Music Publishing Co., will be one of the Boston
publishers to attend the national convention in
New York to be held in a few days. Mr.
Davidson reports a great many sales of the
"Four American Indian Songs" harmonized and
elaborated by Charles Wakefield Cadman. These
are sung by the most noted artists, including
David Bispham, Mine. Nordica, Herbert Wither-
spoon, Mme. Jomelli. William John Hall, Thomas
Evans Greene and Isabelle Bouton.
"The Day of Beauty," a lyric suite for high
voice, piano and string quartet, is a very popular
number issued by the Boston Music Co. Ernest
O. Schirmer, head of this house, has returned
from his recreative jaunt to Bermuda, greatly
refreshed to outline a big fall business.
C. W. Thompson & Co. are making a pretty
and appropriate window display of the music
played at The Pops each week, which besides
being an attractive exhibition, serves to assist
their patrons to a ready selection of the titles.
The usual activity was seen at the offices and
shipping rooms of the B. F. Wood Music Pub-
lishing Co. on the visit of your correspondent.
As usual, a considerable volume of music busi-
ness is being transacted tfy this well known
house, and this, with the extensive preparations
for a brisk fall, is "responsible" for the rush.
New compositions for Edition-Wood are being
selected, catalogs and other advertising matter
are being written and several new propositions
are being prepared that will be decidedly inter-
esting to the dealer.
"Russian Pony Rag," by Don Ramsay (pub-
lished by Walter Jacobs), can now be secured
as a 65-note music roll (Aeolian Co.).
"Spying Cupid" is a new waltz published by
Walter Jacobs, written by the composer of "Kiss
of Spring." This will shortly be issued as a
piano solo because of its marked success with
leaders of orchestras and other artists. Another
number meeting with popular approval Is "Chief
Bunga-Boo."
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$9.00 PER YEAR.
GUS EDWARDS, INC., THE LATEST.
To
Publish
Music
with
$10,000
Capital.
Details of Gus Edwards' latest venture in the
music publishing business, following the institu-
tion of bankruptcy proceedings against the Gus
Edwards Music Publishing Co. a few weeks ago,
are given in a notice of incorporation at Albany
as follows: Gus Edwards, Inc., New York, to
publish music of all kinds; capital, $10,000. In-
corporators, Lillian A. Edwards, Gus Edwards,
the Nevada Apartments, Broadway and Sixty-
ninth street; Chester B. Robinson, 151 West One
Hundred and Fortieth street.
STRAUSS WRITES NEW LIGHT OPERA.
Richard Strauss' new light opera, "The Rose
Cavalier," will be given its first performance at
Dresden in December. The libretto is by Hugo
Hoffmannsthal. Strauss objects, it is said, to
having the work called a comic opera. He says
it is musical comedy, and differs so radically in
style from anything he has hitherto done that
his identity as the composer will be almost un-
recognizable. The action, which will be typi-
cally Viennese, is drawn from the period of the
Empress Maria Theresa and will contain a num-
ber of waltzes and country dames.
AT WORK ON THREE PRODUCTIONS.
Adolph Philipp, the producer of the German
version of the successful musical comdy, "Alma,
Wo Wohnst Du?" (published by Jerome H. Rem-
ick & Co.) is reported to be preparing three
musical productions to be given next season in
English. They are "The Girl's Name is Adele,"
"The Woman Who Likes to Laugh" and
"Therese, Don't Be Angry.' The last named is
.scheduled for production in Chicago next Octo
ber, and the others will open in New York.
While "Therese" is being given in English in
Chicago the German version will be presented
in New York by the Adolph Philipp Company at
Mr. Philipp's theater on the upper east side.
H0LZMANN CELEBRATES GREAT EVENT.
Abe Holzmann, the well-known composer of
"Blaze of Glory" and numerous other successful
marches published by Leo Feist, celebrated last
week the first anniversary of one of his greatest
successes. This is not a musical number (so
far as we know) but a year-old daughter named
Natalie. She may be an embryo prima donna,
however, and is the handsomest child in the
world. For verification of this statement, ask
Mr. Holzmann.
Rehearsals have progressed rapidly for the
production of the new summer review, "Up and
Down Broadway," which will open out of town
before coming to the Casino Theater, two weeks
hence, to follow the revival of "The Mikado."
The entertainment is described as a review of
things theatrical and otherwise.
VOL. L. N o . 24.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, June 11,1910
WITH THE BOSTON PUBLISHERS.
Don Ramsay Opposed to Illustrated Songs—
Public Not Satisfied and Publishers Lose—
Music Publishers' Association's Field Day—
Ditson Co.'s Wide Publicity—Some Late Of-
ferings by Various Houses.
(Special to The Review.)
Boston, Mass., June 6, 1910.
"One of the greatest evils of the popular song
industry in New England," says Don Ramsay,
the well known writer with Walter Jacobs, "is
embraced in the illustrated song singing. Hun-
dreds of moving picture show houses are
scattered all over New England, one, two and
more theaters (if such can be classed as a
'theater') being located in a city or town. These
all feature illustrated songs, securing their ma-
terial from the latest publications of the popular
publishers, and the rendition is usually done by
cheaply paid singers. Take any new song, for
instance, it is generally sung, or rather 'howled'
but two or three days, when another song is
selected. The public have no opportunity at all
to hear the song properly sung; they gauge its
qualities by the poor vocal efforts of the
'artistic' performer, and the result is that no
calls for it are made at the music stores. To
support my contention, here is one 'proof and
F could cite many: One of our numbers was
sung for three days at a show house located in
a medium sized city; not a counter got even a
call for it. Sometime after that a quartet ren-
dered it one night, and within a few days we
received business aggregating over 100 copies,
the rendition being solely responsible for creat-
ing this trade. And it's this careless indifferent
singing by illustrated song 'artists' that is re-
tarding the growth of popular songs, and the
remedy would be to sing a number for at least
one week or longer, with sufficient prior rehearsals
to allow the performer to absorb the peculiar
interpretation of the author's acoustic and
lyric composition.
"What are publishers now securing for the
use of their music by these illustrated song
houses? Not one cent! They even go so far as
to throw the words of the chorus on a screen,
even though the song is copyrighted. It is hoped
the publishers will come together and attempt
to secure some legislation whereby they will be
protected, as they are in other directions, with
royalty and regulations covering their use. The
promiscuous seizing of popular songs and their
'punk' rendition are two factors that are
responsible for the poor popular music condi-
tions in New England and an adjustment of the
'cause' will greatly improve this class of busi-
ness in this territory."
The Boston Music Publishers' Association will
soon hold their annual field day, the date and
place not being definitely settled upon at this
writing. Secretary C. A. Woodman has charge
of the "Doings" program and there will be
plenty of amusement.
"Natural Laws in Piano Technic," by Mary
Wood Chase, is the latest edition to be added
to the Music Students' Library, published by the
Oliver Ditson Co. It's a compact volume deal-
ing with the principal features of piano instruc-
tion in 19 chapters, profusely illustrated, and a
compendium of knowledge that any pupil of any
grade could well afford to absorb. The language
is plain, being written with a view to aiding the
student as well as the teacher, whereby the many
difficult technicalities of pianoforte performing
may be easily understood. Cloth bound, price
?1.25.
25,000 copies of a 32-page catalog entitled
"Educational Music" were recently mailed to
schools by the Oliver Ditson Co. and on every
page is the phrase, "Order of your home dealer
or of the above houses," which shows the co-
operation of the Ditson house to advance the
interests of the "home dealer." Tapper's graded
piano course is creating a big success for itself
with piano teachers who are keeping in touch
with educational advance. 18 volumes comprise
the course and it is the only one that instructs
in all essential lines of music. The teachers'
introduction price will be advanced September
1 and nearly all who have examined this work
have recognized its value by an order.
Banks M! Davidson, of the White-Smith
Music Publishing Co., will be one of the Boston
publishers to attend the national convention in
New York to be held in a few days. Mr.
Davidson reports a great many sales of the
"Four American Indian Songs" harmonized and
elaborated by Charles Wakefield Cadman. These
are sung by the most noted artists, including
David Bispham, Mine. Nordica, Herbert Wither-
spoon, Mme. Jomelli. William John Hall, Thomas
Evans Greene and Isabelle Bouton.
"The Day of Beauty," a lyric suite for high
voice, piano and string quartet, is a very popular
number issued by the Boston Music Co. Ernest
O. Schirmer, head of this house, has returned
from his recreative jaunt to Bermuda, greatly
refreshed to outline a big fall business.
C. W. Thompson & Co. are making a pretty
and appropriate window display of the music
played at The Pops each week, which besides
being an attractive exhibition, serves to assist
their patrons to a ready selection of the titles.
The usual activity was seen at the offices and
shipping rooms of the B. F. Wood Music Pub-
lishing Co. on the visit of your correspondent.
As usual, a considerable volume of music busi-
ness is being transacted tfy this well known
house, and this, with the extensive preparations
for a brisk fall, is "responsible" for the rush.
New compositions for Edition-Wood are being
selected, catalogs and other advertising matter
are being written and several new propositions
are being prepared that will be decidedly inter-
esting to the dealer.
"Russian Pony Rag," by Don Ramsay (pub-
lished by Walter Jacobs), can now be secured
as a 65-note music roll (Aeolian Co.).
"Spying Cupid" is a new waltz published by
Walter Jacobs, written by the composer of "Kiss
of Spring." This will shortly be issued as a
piano solo because of its marked success with
leaders of orchestras and other artists. Another
number meeting with popular approval Is "Chief
Bunga-Boo."
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$9.00 PER YEAR.
GUS EDWARDS, INC., THE LATEST.
To
Publish
Music
with
$10,000
Capital.
Details of Gus Edwards' latest venture in the
music publishing business, following the institu-
tion of bankruptcy proceedings against the Gus
Edwards Music Publishing Co. a few weeks ago,
are given in a notice of incorporation at Albany
as follows: Gus Edwards, Inc., New York, to
publish music of all kinds; capital, $10,000. In-
corporators, Lillian A. Edwards, Gus Edwards,
the Nevada Apartments, Broadway and Sixty-
ninth street; Chester B. Robinson, 151 West One
Hundred and Fortieth street.
STRAUSS WRITES NEW LIGHT OPERA.
Richard Strauss' new light opera, "The Rose
Cavalier," will be given its first performance at
Dresden in December. The libretto is by Hugo
Hoffmannsthal. Strauss objects, it is said, to
having the work called a comic opera. He says
it is musical comedy, and differs so radically in
style from anything he has hitherto done that
his identity as the composer will be almost un-
recognizable. The action, which will be typi-
cally Viennese, is drawn from the period of the
Empress Maria Theresa and will contain a num-
ber of waltzes and country dames.
AT WORK ON THREE PRODUCTIONS.
Adolph Philipp, the producer of the German
version of the successful musical comdy, "Alma,
Wo Wohnst Du?" (published by Jerome H. Rem-
ick & Co.) is reported to be preparing three
musical productions to be given next season in
English. They are "The Girl's Name is Adele,"
"The Woman Who Likes to Laugh" and
"Therese, Don't Be Angry.' The last named is
.scheduled for production in Chicago next Octo
ber, and the others will open in New York.
While "Therese" is being given in English in
Chicago the German version will be presented
in New York by the Adolph Philipp Company at
Mr. Philipp's theater on the upper east side.
H0LZMANN CELEBRATES GREAT EVENT.
Abe Holzmann, the well-known composer of
"Blaze of Glory" and numerous other successful
marches published by Leo Feist, celebrated last
week the first anniversary of one of his greatest
successes. This is not a musical number (so
far as we know) but a year-old daughter named
Natalie. She may be an embryo prima donna,
however, and is the handsomest child in the
world. For verification of this statement, ask
Mr. Holzmann.
Rehearsals have progressed rapidly for the
production of the new summer review, "Up and
Down Broadway," which will open out of town
before coming to the Casino Theater, two weeks
hence, to follow the revival of "The Mikado."
The entertainment is described as a review of
things theatrical and otherwise.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).