Presto
Issue: 1923 1902 - Page 10
10
PRESTO
FAMOUS GATHERING
AT AMPICO STUDIOS
Brilliant Assemblage of Artists Actively Cele-
brate American Piano Company's Presen-
tation of Wagner's Piano.
At the Ampico Studios, 437 Fifth Avenue, New
York, Thursday of last week, a large number of the
world's most celebrated artists and prominent pa-
trons of music were guests of the American Piano
Company, when Richard Wagner's famous piano
was given its premier showing under brilliant aus-
pices, and with a program of suitable ceremonies.
More than five hundred well known members of the
musical, artistic and social colonies of the city had
gathered by 9 o'clock in the large especially deco-
rated Knabe Warerooms, where, on a dias of vel-
vet against a black velvet background, the authentic
piano which was Richard Wagner's was to be seen
for the first time by the American public. . Elaborate
programs told the history of the little, old-fashioned
Bechstein instrument, and of the immortal works
which the composer dreamed into life along its key-
board.
Rosa Ponselle, prima donna soprano of the Metro-
politan Opera Company, sang a group of three
songs, accompanied by Mr. Romani. Cornelius Ryb-
ner, pianist and Wagnerian authority, played his
own transcription of Siegmund's love music from
"Die Walkure." Roderick White, the well known
young American violinist, played the Amfortas Klage
from "Parsifal." Irwin Xyiregyhazi, brilliant young
Hungarian pianist, Mieczyslaw Munz, the young
Pole who has been acclaimed as one of the pianistic
sensations of the season, also played, the one Liszt's
Second Rhapsody and Liebestraum,, the other three
Chopin examples. The performances of both these
artists, who use the Knabe piano, were stormily
applauded.
On the Wagner piano itself Paul Eisler, of the
conducting staff of the Metropolitan, played the pre-
lude to Wagner's "Parsifal." Afterwards, the audi-
ence had its chance to come up end view the instru-
ment at close range, and some of the famous pianists
present ran their hands over it in impromptu pas-
sages. Meanwhile there were addresses by Dr.
Eugene Noble, head of the JuilKard Music Founda-
tion, by Mr. William Humiston. formerly a conductor
of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and now
music critic of one of the most important New York
cUn'ly papers, and by Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, head of
the Ampico Department, American Piano Company..
The young soldier who discovered and transported
the Wagner piano. Mr. Prcsser, was also prcvai ed
upon to tell something of the finding. Mrs. Nathaniel
Brandon read suitably Browning's Poem "Alt Vog-
ler," and Mrs. George Lee Bready. a distinguished
lecturer on music, likewise made a speech.
This is the famous piano on which Richard Wag-
ner composed the most of his "Ring" music and
which was presented to him by Ludwig, King of
Bavaria, when the great composer was at the lowest
ebb of his fortunes. It marked the turning po'nt ot
his career. ]n the ten years following, his financial
troubles vanished, he became a world-personality,
Bayreuth was founded and the Wagner Music Drama
established. The piano, which experts say is the
foremost musical instrument in the world because
of its undup.licable historic interest, is fully authenti-
cated by legal documents. It was discovered by an
American Soldier, Robert H. Prosser of 82 Wash-
ington Place, who was with the American Army of
Occupation and brought it over here.
Prosser discovered the instrument in a little old
drawing room of Berlin, the music salon of an aged
music teacher, Theobold Guenther, in whose posses-
sion the piano had been for one-half a century it
having been presented to him by the maker, tin
famous Bechstein, to whom Wagner turned the pian
back "tor a newer instrument when he was settled in
B-.yreuth, and on the high road to prosperity.
This piano not only witnessed the ''mad compos-
er's"' artistic triumphs, but it was in every detail each
chapter of the most famous love story of the world,
the infatuation of Wagner for Cosima, the wife of
von Bulow, the daughter of Liszt, and his eventua'
marriage to her. On it also the famous "Siegfried
Idyl" was composed.
TWO STORY & CLARK STYLES.
Among the handsome pianos illustrated in this
issue of Presto are the two most successful styles
of the Story & Clark. One is the Grand and one
their style "M" player. These instruments are two
of the most popular sellers and it is certain that
the demand for them will be greatly increased dur-
ing this year.
BJUR BROS.' "PURITAN."
.V picture of the Style 16. Puritan Model. Bjur
Bros, piano, the most successful style in the line of
the progressive New York industry, appears on an-
other page. It is a beautiful instrument in every
particular.
ADDORFF PLAYERPIANO
FOR WOUNDED VETERANS
public-Spirited Citizens of Des Moines, la., Made
Christmas Present Possible.
The Knoxville, 111., hospital where many veterans
of the late war are patients received a Christmas
present from "Mr. Goodfellow" of Des Moines, la.
"Mr. Goodfellow" personified the public spirit of the
city which made the gift to the wounded veterans
possible. The gift was a playerpiano and it is de-
scribed by the Des Moines Capital as follows:
"It's in a dandy oak case, with a fine bench to
match. Mr. Good Fellow spent $335 of his fund for
the piano.
"There were thirty-four player rolls with the piano,
and Air. Good Fellow has had two friends phone him,
offering gifts of additional rolls, so the boys w r ill not
want for variety of music.
"The HaddorfT Piano company, which secured the
piano for Mr. Good Fellow, tuned it and put it in
line shape this morning, and this afternoon it was
crated and expressed to the Knoxville hospital, »u
that it will truly be a Christmas gift from Good Fel-
lows to the men who made such a great sacrifice. '
NELSON-WIGGEN "PIAN0=0=GRAND"
Within less than a year the industry of Ne!>on-
Wiggen Piano Co. has pushed the instruments of its
manufacture well to the front among original and re-
markably effective electric automatic specialties. The
"l]arp-O-Grand" is in use in many small theaters
and other places of amusement. And the variety of
effects, and accuracy of operation, has pleased all we
have introduced it.
Herewith is an illustration of the Xelson-YYiggen
JESSE FRENCH & SONS
GRAND
An
January 6,
A t t a i n m e n t
of A r t
"Known the World Over"
STVLE G
Factories: New Castle, Indiana, U. S. A.
Piano-o-Grand, a full-sized upright design. This in-
strument produces a powerful volume of tone, and it
presents some poes bilities of expression peculiar to
itself. Dealers who have opportunities to sell the
automatic instruments will find this one a winner.
And most piano dealers have opportunities to do a
good business in the modern theater and electric
instruments generally.
The LEADING LINE
WEAVER PIANOS
Grand*. Upright* and Player*
Finest and most artistic
piano in design, tone and
construction that ran b~
made.
YORK PIANOS*
Upright* and Player Pianu>
A high grade piano of great
vaiue and with charming tone quality.
Livingston Pianos— Upright* and Player Piano*
A popular piano at a popular price.
Over 70.000 instruments made by this company are sing-
ipg their own praises in all parts of the civilised world.
Write for catalogues and state on what terms you would
like to deal, and we will make you a proposition if yi n are
located in open territory.
WEAVER PIANO CO, Inc.
Factory: YORK, * \ .
Established 1870
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
PRESTO
FAMOUS GATHERING
AT AMPICO STUDIOS
Brilliant Assemblage of Artists Actively Cele-
brate American Piano Company's Presen-
tation of Wagner's Piano.
At the Ampico Studios, 437 Fifth Avenue, New
York, Thursday of last week, a large number of the
world's most celebrated artists and prominent pa-
trons of music were guests of the American Piano
Company, when Richard Wagner's famous piano
was given its premier showing under brilliant aus-
pices, and with a program of suitable ceremonies.
More than five hundred well known members of the
musical, artistic and social colonies of the city had
gathered by 9 o'clock in the large especially deco-
rated Knabe Warerooms, where, on a dias of vel-
vet against a black velvet background, the authentic
piano which was Richard Wagner's was to be seen
for the first time by the American public. . Elaborate
programs told the history of the little, old-fashioned
Bechstein instrument, and of the immortal works
which the composer dreamed into life along its key-
board.
Rosa Ponselle, prima donna soprano of the Metro-
politan Opera Company, sang a group of three
songs, accompanied by Mr. Romani. Cornelius Ryb-
ner, pianist and Wagnerian authority, played his
own transcription of Siegmund's love music from
"Die Walkure." Roderick White, the well known
young American violinist, played the Amfortas Klage
from "Parsifal." Irwin Xyiregyhazi, brilliant young
Hungarian pianist, Mieczyslaw Munz, the young
Pole who has been acclaimed as one of the pianistic
sensations of the season, also played, the one Liszt's
Second Rhapsody and Liebestraum,, the other three
Chopin examples. The performances of both these
artists, who use the Knabe piano, were stormily
applauded.
On the Wagner piano itself Paul Eisler, of the
conducting staff of the Metropolitan, played the pre-
lude to Wagner's "Parsifal." Afterwards, the audi-
ence had its chance to come up end view the instru-
ment at close range, and some of the famous pianists
present ran their hands over it in impromptu pas-
sages. Meanwhile there were addresses by Dr.
Eugene Noble, head of the JuilKard Music Founda-
tion, by Mr. William Humiston. formerly a conductor
of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and now
music critic of one of the most important New York
cUn'ly papers, and by Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, head of
the Ampico Department, American Piano Company..
The young soldier who discovered and transported
the Wagner piano. Mr. Prcsser, was also prcvai ed
upon to tell something of the finding. Mrs. Nathaniel
Brandon read suitably Browning's Poem "Alt Vog-
ler," and Mrs. George Lee Bready. a distinguished
lecturer on music, likewise made a speech.
This is the famous piano on which Richard Wag-
ner composed the most of his "Ring" music and
which was presented to him by Ludwig, King of
Bavaria, when the great composer was at the lowest
ebb of his fortunes. It marked the turning po'nt ot
his career. ]n the ten years following, his financial
troubles vanished, he became a world-personality,
Bayreuth was founded and the Wagner Music Drama
established. The piano, which experts say is the
foremost musical instrument in the world because
of its undup.licable historic interest, is fully authenti-
cated by legal documents. It was discovered by an
American Soldier, Robert H. Prosser of 82 Wash-
ington Place, who was with the American Army of
Occupation and brought it over here.
Prosser discovered the instrument in a little old
drawing room of Berlin, the music salon of an aged
music teacher, Theobold Guenther, in whose posses-
sion the piano had been for one-half a century it
having been presented to him by the maker, tin
famous Bechstein, to whom Wagner turned the pian
back "tor a newer instrument when he was settled in
B-.yreuth, and on the high road to prosperity.
This piano not only witnessed the ''mad compos-
er's"' artistic triumphs, but it was in every detail each
chapter of the most famous love story of the world,
the infatuation of Wagner for Cosima, the wife of
von Bulow, the daughter of Liszt, and his eventua'
marriage to her. On it also the famous "Siegfried
Idyl" was composed.
TWO STORY & CLARK STYLES.
Among the handsome pianos illustrated in this
issue of Presto are the two most successful styles
of the Story & Clark. One is the Grand and one
their style "M" player. These instruments are two
of the most popular sellers and it is certain that
the demand for them will be greatly increased dur-
ing this year.
BJUR BROS.' "PURITAN."
.V picture of the Style 16. Puritan Model. Bjur
Bros, piano, the most successful style in the line of
the progressive New York industry, appears on an-
other page. It is a beautiful instrument in every
particular.
ADDORFF PLAYERPIANO
FOR WOUNDED VETERANS
public-Spirited Citizens of Des Moines, la., Made
Christmas Present Possible.
The Knoxville, 111., hospital where many veterans
of the late war are patients received a Christmas
present from "Mr. Goodfellow" of Des Moines, la.
"Mr. Goodfellow" personified the public spirit of the
city which made the gift to the wounded veterans
possible. The gift was a playerpiano and it is de-
scribed by the Des Moines Capital as follows:
"It's in a dandy oak case, with a fine bench to
match. Mr. Good Fellow spent $335 of his fund for
the piano.
"There were thirty-four player rolls with the piano,
and Air. Good Fellow has had two friends phone him,
offering gifts of additional rolls, so the boys w r ill not
want for variety of music.
"The HaddorfT Piano company, which secured the
piano for Mr. Good Fellow, tuned it and put it in
line shape this morning, and this afternoon it was
crated and expressed to the Knoxville hospital, »u
that it will truly be a Christmas gift from Good Fel-
lows to the men who made such a great sacrifice. '
NELSON-WIGGEN "PIAN0=0=GRAND"
Within less than a year the industry of Ne!>on-
Wiggen Piano Co. has pushed the instruments of its
manufacture well to the front among original and re-
markably effective electric automatic specialties. The
"l]arp-O-Grand" is in use in many small theaters
and other places of amusement. And the variety of
effects, and accuracy of operation, has pleased all we
have introduced it.
Herewith is an illustration of the Xelson-YYiggen
JESSE FRENCH & SONS
GRAND
An
January 6,
A t t a i n m e n t
of A r t
"Known the World Over"
STVLE G
Factories: New Castle, Indiana, U. S. A.
Piano-o-Grand, a full-sized upright design. This in-
strument produces a powerful volume of tone, and it
presents some poes bilities of expression peculiar to
itself. Dealers who have opportunities to sell the
automatic instruments will find this one a winner.
And most piano dealers have opportunities to do a
good business in the modern theater and electric
instruments generally.
The LEADING LINE
WEAVER PIANOS
Grand*. Upright* and Player*
Finest and most artistic
piano in design, tone and
construction that ran b~
made.
YORK PIANOS*
Upright* and Player Pianu>
A high grade piano of great
vaiue and with charming tone quality.
Livingston Pianos— Upright* and Player Piano*
A popular piano at a popular price.
Over 70.000 instruments made by this company are sing-
ipg their own praises in all parts of the civilised world.
Write for catalogues and state on what terms you would
like to deal, and we will make you a proposition if yi n are
located in open territory.
WEAVER PIANO CO, Inc.
Factory: YORK, * \ .
Established 1870
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).