Music Trade Review
Issue: 1932 Vol. 91 N. 5 - Page 15
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
15
May, 1932
MATHUSHEK SPINET-CRAND TAKES PROMINENT
PART IN WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL
T
HE Mathushek Spinet-Grand has been
very much in the public eye in New
York and vicinity during the past
month in connection with the official observ-
ance of the Bicentennial of the birth of
George Washington by the City of New
York. In fact the Spinet-Grand may be said
to have been the official instrument of the
celebration, being used in connection with the
case design was sought that would fit into
the picture. The result was the selection,
by the Commission, of the Mathushek Spinet-
Grand, one of those instruments in true
Colonial design, being placed in Mount
Vernon and another in Federal Hall. An
Celebrates Golden Wedding
additional instrument was provided for the
Mr. and Mrs. William E. A. Tonk, of Pel-
latter place upon the occasion of the open-
ing ceremonies when the Associated Glee hamwood, N. Y., on April 24 celebrated their
Photos Courtesy City of New York Commission for the Washington Bicentennial
LEFT: SPINET GRAND IN REPLICA OF MOUNT VERNON.
elaborate programs both in Brooklyn and in
Manhattan and for display in the replica of
Mount Vernon in Prospect Park, Brooklyn,
and in the reproduction of Federal Hall in
Bryant Park, New York.
Having been created and placed befoTe the
trade and public just a year ago, it was
found that the Spinet-Grand had arrived at
the psychological moment. The Washington
celebration turned the thoughts of most
Americans to the Colonial and Early Amer-
ican in home furnishings and decorations and
the character of the Spinet-Grand enabled 'it
to fit into the scheme of things particularly
well.
When the City of New York Commission
for the George Washington Bicentennial de-
cided to erect replicas of Mount Vernon,
Washington's home, and the Federal Hall
where he was sworn in as first president in
New York, the question of reproducing, as
far as possible, the furnishings of the two
buildings became a perplexing one. Naturally
there were numerous genuine antiques avail-
able, which could be borrowed, but many
reproductions of old furniture and fittings
had to be included in order to produce the
proper ensemble. The idea throughout, how-
ever, was to have the furnishings as authentic
as possible.
When it came to the selection of a proper
piano to be placed in the Mount Vernon
building, for instance, it was not alone a
question of quality and tonal value, with the
planned musical programs in mind, but a
merchants of Binghamton, N. Y., the Bing-
hamton Press ran a full-page section to mark
the opening of the National Music Week
celebration. The music house took liberal
advertising space to mark the event, and the
newspaper featured nearly a half page of
editorial matter as its contribution, empha-
sizing the local school programs, among
other matters.
RIGHT: BEING USED IN OFFICIAL CONCERT
Clubs of New York, together with the Police,
Fire Department and Sanitation Department
bands of the City, participated in a joint out-
door program. The buildings will be main-
tained and open to visitors for several months
and during that time the Spinet-Grands will
remain in place.
According to the representatives of the
Commission the attractive instruments have
aroused much interest on the part of the
public. Many visitors to the Mount Vernon
building have inquired if the piano was the
original one from Washington's home. That
instrument, however, happened to be a harp-
sichord, built in England and purchased by
Washington in 1793. Certainly its musical
qualities could not have stood up under the
strain of the current programs. One of the
accompanying illustrations shows the Spinet-
Grand in the Mount Vernon Building and
the other shows the instrument used by the
orchestra in Colonial costume, which played
during the opening ceremonies when a couple
representing George and Martha Washington
held a reception for prominent people of the
metropolis. Acknowledgment was made to
the Mathushek Piano Mfg. Co. in all the
official programs.
NEWSPAPER FEATURES MUSIC
WEEK IN BINGHAMTON, N. Y.
Through the efforts of the Fowler Piano
Co., Weeks & Dickinson, and other music
Golden Wedding anniversary, having been
married in New York City, where they have
lived for many years, in 1882. Mr. Tonk
was, for years, very active in the piano
trade, being one of the founders of the piano
manufacturing house of Wm. Tonk & Bro.
March Onward!
A Piano Advertisement by S. L. Curtis
We all properly venerate old age, but how
whole-heartedly all the world unitea in
worship when old age combines wisdom
and progress!
You might admire the Grotrian-Steinweg
piano, which we distribute, for its old
age alone—nearly a century of supreme
musical service. But you have more than
veneration for "The World's Finest Musi-
cal Instrument." You feel respect for the
amazing genius of the Grotrian-Steinweg
makers when you consider the revolu-
tionary 1932 scientific craftsmanship. As
piano men you appreciate hand-workman-
ship ; five years to make each piano; the
new frame, the peerless action, the age-
resisting, use-resisting qualities. Better
send for a copy of our Musical Truth.
S. L. CURTIS
117 West 57th Street, NEW YORK
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
15
May, 1932
MATHUSHEK SPINET-CRAND TAKES PROMINENT
PART IN WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL
T
HE Mathushek Spinet-Grand has been
very much in the public eye in New
York and vicinity during the past
month in connection with the official observ-
ance of the Bicentennial of the birth of
George Washington by the City of New
York. In fact the Spinet-Grand may be said
to have been the official instrument of the
celebration, being used in connection with the
case design was sought that would fit into
the picture. The result was the selection,
by the Commission, of the Mathushek Spinet-
Grand, one of those instruments in true
Colonial design, being placed in Mount
Vernon and another in Federal Hall. An
Celebrates Golden Wedding
additional instrument was provided for the
Mr. and Mrs. William E. A. Tonk, of Pel-
latter place upon the occasion of the open-
ing ceremonies when the Associated Glee hamwood, N. Y., on April 24 celebrated their
Photos Courtesy City of New York Commission for the Washington Bicentennial
LEFT: SPINET GRAND IN REPLICA OF MOUNT VERNON.
elaborate programs both in Brooklyn and in
Manhattan and for display in the replica of
Mount Vernon in Prospect Park, Brooklyn,
and in the reproduction of Federal Hall in
Bryant Park, New York.
Having been created and placed befoTe the
trade and public just a year ago, it was
found that the Spinet-Grand had arrived at
the psychological moment. The Washington
celebration turned the thoughts of most
Americans to the Colonial and Early Amer-
ican in home furnishings and decorations and
the character of the Spinet-Grand enabled 'it
to fit into the scheme of things particularly
well.
When the City of New York Commission
for the George Washington Bicentennial de-
cided to erect replicas of Mount Vernon,
Washington's home, and the Federal Hall
where he was sworn in as first president in
New York, the question of reproducing, as
far as possible, the furnishings of the two
buildings became a perplexing one. Naturally
there were numerous genuine antiques avail-
able, which could be borrowed, but many
reproductions of old furniture and fittings
had to be included in order to produce the
proper ensemble. The idea throughout, how-
ever, was to have the furnishings as authentic
as possible.
When it came to the selection of a proper
piano to be placed in the Mount Vernon
building, for instance, it was not alone a
question of quality and tonal value, with the
planned musical programs in mind, but a
merchants of Binghamton, N. Y., the Bing-
hamton Press ran a full-page section to mark
the opening of the National Music Week
celebration. The music house took liberal
advertising space to mark the event, and the
newspaper featured nearly a half page of
editorial matter as its contribution, empha-
sizing the local school programs, among
other matters.
RIGHT: BEING USED IN OFFICIAL CONCERT
Clubs of New York, together with the Police,
Fire Department and Sanitation Department
bands of the City, participated in a joint out-
door program. The buildings will be main-
tained and open to visitors for several months
and during that time the Spinet-Grands will
remain in place.
According to the representatives of the
Commission the attractive instruments have
aroused much interest on the part of the
public. Many visitors to the Mount Vernon
building have inquired if the piano was the
original one from Washington's home. That
instrument, however, happened to be a harp-
sichord, built in England and purchased by
Washington in 1793. Certainly its musical
qualities could not have stood up under the
strain of the current programs. One of the
accompanying illustrations shows the Spinet-
Grand in the Mount Vernon Building and
the other shows the instrument used by the
orchestra in Colonial costume, which played
during the opening ceremonies when a couple
representing George and Martha Washington
held a reception for prominent people of the
metropolis. Acknowledgment was made to
the Mathushek Piano Mfg. Co. in all the
official programs.
NEWSPAPER FEATURES MUSIC
WEEK IN BINGHAMTON, N. Y.
Through the efforts of the Fowler Piano
Co., Weeks & Dickinson, and other music
Golden Wedding anniversary, having been
married in New York City, where they have
lived for many years, in 1882. Mr. Tonk
was, for years, very active in the piano
trade, being one of the founders of the piano
manufacturing house of Wm. Tonk & Bro.
March Onward!
A Piano Advertisement by S. L. Curtis
We all properly venerate old age, but how
whole-heartedly all the world unitea in
worship when old age combines wisdom
and progress!
You might admire the Grotrian-Steinweg
piano, which we distribute, for its old
age alone—nearly a century of supreme
musical service. But you have more than
veneration for "The World's Finest Musi-
cal Instrument." You feel respect for the
amazing genius of the Grotrian-Steinweg
makers when you consider the revolu-
tionary 1932 scientific craftsmanship. As
piano men you appreciate hand-workman-
ship ; five years to make each piano; the
new frame, the peerless action, the age-
resisting, use-resisting qualities. Better
send for a copy of our Musical Truth.
S. L. CURTIS
117 West 57th Street, NEW YORK
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).