Presto

November 5, 1927
13
P R E S T O-T I M E S
NEW FORM OF HARPSICHORD
PLAYED AT FESTIVAL
Arnold Dolmetsch, Who Has Developed Model, Ex-
hibits its Possibilities at Old Music Festival.
A new form of harpsichord upon which Arnold
Dolmetsch has been working for several years, was
demonstrated at the Haslemere Festival of Old
Music.
"When the harpsichord was in its heyday it was
the subject of continual experiment," says The Tele-
graph of London. "It possessed a range of tone-
color and a brilliance which the piano, for all its
sonority, cannot equal. At the same time, its limi-
tations are obvious. The ordinary jack which plucks
the strings has a fundamental defect. When the key
is released by the finger the platform, on its way back
to the resting position, must glide upon the string
before the vibrations can be stopped by the damper
attached to the jack. A very noticeable 'jingle' is
thus produced, which impairs the purity of the tone,
especially in rapid passages.
"Harpsichord makers tried in vain for three cen-
turies to remedy this defect. The new Dolmetsch
harpsichord has a device by which the plectrum, in-
stead of going through beyond the strings, returns
whence it came without touching them. The result
is a much purer tone and Mr. Dolmetsch, who was
playing the instrument for the first time in its fully
completed state, declared that it was also more sensi-
tive to the touch than the instruments built upon the
old models.
"The new jack also makes a damper-lifting pedal
possible. This innovation may cause the old-fash-
ioned purist to gasp and start. Yet there is plenty
of evidence that harpsichord makers in the past at-
tempted to fit a damper pedal, and were only pre-
vented by the technical difficulties. The sustaining
pedal was known to piano makers long before the
mechanism was perfected by Broadwood. And there
is much harpsichord music of Bach and Scarlatti
which when played on the piano requires the pedal."
AEOLIAN RADIO POPULARITY.
The Aeolian radio concerts, broadcasted from Aeo-
lian Mall. New York, and received in Chicago as
well as all parts of the country, started this week
EIGHT BALDWINS IN RECITAL
Eight Baldwin grand pianos, played by sixteen
artists, provided a sensational feature at a concert
at the Scottish Rite Temple, St. Louis, recently. In
the picture (left) the Temple interior with the pianos
and players are shown. The other picture shows
the artists who participated. The following letter
was received by the Baldwin Piano Co. from Ernst
C. Krohn, president of the Musicians' Guild of St.
Louis:
"On behalf of the Musicians' Guild of St. Louis, I
wish to express to you our grateful appreciation of
your generous assistance in our recent Music Week
Concert. The loan of eight magnificent Baldwin
grand pianos and your courteous hospitality in pro-
viding practice rooms contributed perhaps more than
you realize toward making the eight-piano ensemble
the outstanding feature of the concert.
It may interest you to know that your idea of a
piano ensemble has resulted in the formation of a
piano ensemble society which will carry on the work
of our pioneer group."
and seem likely to become one of the most popular
VICTOR WORKS OVERTIME.
of the broadcasting programs sent out from New
Advance
orders for instruments and records, for
York. The Aeolian broadcasting station in New
delivery in the next three months, indicate one of
York is known as the NBC studios.
the biggest volumes in the history of the Victor Talk-
Senator Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the wire- ing Machine Company, according to a statement last
less telegraph, who is now on his way to America night by E. E. Shumaker, president of the compjany.
to attend the International Radio and Telegraph This statement was made by Mr. Shumaker just be-
Conference in Washington, will address a joint meet-
ing of the institute of Radio Engineers and the Amer- fore he sailed for Europe on the Berengaria. "Our
ican Institute of Electrical Engineers on October 17, plants are working overtime with full forces, and
in the Engineering Societies Building at 33 West we are forced to continually increase production
Thirty-ninth street. Senator Marconi will speak on schedules to meet increasing demands."
short wave directional radio communication.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
Manufacturers of
MOVING TRUCKS
for
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HIGHEST GRADE
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ONE GRADE ONLY
The Wessell t Nickel & Gross action is a
guarantee of the grade of the instrument
in which tt is found.
FACTORIES:
MFW
45thSt.. 10th A»e. 4W46ih H E - • •
YORK
1 WIXIV
Orthophonic Victrolas
Electric Refrigerators
OFFICE;
457 w # 4 5 | h S | r e e l
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DOLGRVILLE. N. Y.
Trucks. Hoists, Covers and Special Straps.
Manufactured by
Self-Lifting PianoTruck Co.
Manufacturers of
FINDLAY, OHIO
Piano Backs, Boards, Bridges, Bars,
Traplevers and Mouldings
J BRECKWOLDT. Prea.
W. A. BRECKWOLDT. Sec. & Tr«a».
THE! O S. KELLY CO.
Manufacturers
PRESTO BUYERS' GUIDE
TELLS ALL ABOUT ALL PIANOS
of
Hlghi Grade
PIANO PLATES
SPRINGFIELD
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OHIO
TH E CO MSTOCK, C HENTE" Y & CO.
IVORYTON, CONN •
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MANUFACTURERS OF
Grand Keys, Actions and Hammers, Upright Keys
Actions and Hammer , Pipe Organ Keys
Piano Forte Ivory for the Trade
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