Presto
Issue: 1931 2255 - Page 6
February, 1931
PREST O-T IMES
BUILDERS AND PLAYERS
OF THE STEINWAY PIANO
Apropos of the coming 100th anniversary of the
birth of Henry Stein way on March 27 next, Presto-
Times takes pleasure in presenting herewith a picture
of that gentleman as he looked in his prime. And also
on the front cover page of this issue, in connection
with the advertisement of Steinway & Sons, appears
another picture of Henry Steinway in his workshop.
The title of this picture, which is from one of the
paintings adorning the walls of the Steinway estab-
lishment in New York, is "Henry Steinway Making
His First Piano." One can imagine how delighted he
would have been if he could have visioned the present
Steinway & Sons offices at 109 West 57th street, New
York, and the Steinway big factories on Long
Island. For Henry Steinway came to New York in
1850 and worked there as a journeyman piano builder
until Steinway & Sons started their business and he
then became one of the original partners when the
firm began on March 5, 1853.
He was a native of Sessen, Duchy of Brunswick,
Germany, where he was born March 27, 1831.
It was his inventive mind that designed many of
the early improvements in the Steinway piano and
he is credited bv sonic with the invention of the first
to concentrate more on the musical expression of a
composition and would be less tormented by pure
finger exercises which, although necessary, are but
a "means to an end' and, if overdone, may often cause
an 'end to one's means'—musically speaking, of course.
"From my own experience, I find that too much
time is spent on purely technical preparation for some-
thing that may never materialize because technique
can be successfully applied to music only, if both, so
to speak, grow up together from their infancy.
"Although I do not like to speak about things which
1 can do, and less so about things I cannot do, yet,
were I a beginner and had the choice of any of the
existing music-making instruments, I would select
the piano."
INDIANAPOLIS PIANO MEN
DOING A FAIR BUSINESS
Business conditions are showing some improvement:
nothing to boast about, but much to be grateful for.
Music merchants have had a fair share of business
during the business depression, and when one stops
to consider this, there is little room for complaint.
The House of Baldwin reports conditions fair and
improving. In the near future some of the new mod-
els in grands, the very latest creations in piano con-
struction will be presented to the public, according
to Ray Coverdill, manager of the local house. Mr.
Coverdill, spent the week-end in Cincinnati at a sales
meeting.
The Marion Music Co. is doing a good business,
reporting the sales of several Schumann grands in
period models. The outlook is fair and anything
but discouraging is their report of conditions. Mark
Mayer, representative of the Brinkerhofr Piano Co.,
was a recent visitor at the company's store.
The Pearson Piano Co. is optimistic over the com-
ing spring and summer business. Business from over
the state is reported good, and mostly of high-grade
pianos. William Christena, formerly in charge of the
Orthophonic department, has severed his connections
with the company, and will hereafter represent the
Capehart Corporation, of Fort Wayne, Ind., in north-
ern Illinois and Indiana, with headquarters in Chicago.
George C. Pearson has left the city for the south-
land and will spend the remainder of the winter in the
Isle of Pines, Cuba.
HKN'KV STKINWAY
The new Farney grand piano has made its appear-
successful "Over-strung Scale," which was one of the ance in Indianapolis at the store of the Wilking Music
first great advances made in piano construction at Co. It is one of the Wurlitzer Co. products, desig-
that time and which differentiated the Steinway pianos nated as Style 7.
The Wilking Co. have taken the stock of the Rob-
from all others then manufactured.
Henry Steinway died in March, 1865, after a severe ertson Music Co., now extinct. The stock is composed
attack of typhoid fever, within a month of the death of Bush & Gerts and Haddorff grands.
E. M. Hewitt, well-known piano salesman in the
of his brother, Charles Steinway.
The picture of Henry Steinway shown in connec- central section of the state, will take over the post
tion with this article is a very good likeness of him— as manager of the Pearson Piano Co.'s store at An-
derson, Ind., filling the place made vacant by the
earnest, grave, intellectual.
death
of Ambrose T. Smith.
Josef Hofman, the distinguished pianist, who years
Recent visitors in Indianapolis were: George Mans-
ago was the pupil of Rubinstein, uses the Steinway
field, of the Everett Piano Co.; J. E. Shale, of the
Checkering & Sons Piano Co.; H. Edgar French, of
Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New Castle, Ind.;
P. E. Mason, and Gottfred Johnson of the Haddorff
Piano Co.
THE PIANO ENNOBLES LIFE
Harry Edward Freund, of Chicago, who writes
occasionally about higher purposes in life, puts music
far to the front as a refiner of humanity. He says:
"Without a piano in use, a mansion is not even a
home. A modest apartment can be made a haven of
happiness with entrancing strains of good music from
the piano that enchant the ear and enthrall the heart
and soul. The piano in the home, with the interpre-
tation of fine music, is evidence of a love for beauty
in life, for inspiring things that make life worth while,
as thoughts are things enabling us, as the years go
by, to engender kindness, sympathy, appreciation,
helpfulness and service, bringing out the best in each
one of us."
uoiefnoftwv
THE PUPIL OF RUBINSTEIN
piano in his concerts and recital work. He believes
in the piano as the basic instrument of music, and in
a recent article from his pen which appeared in the
Musical Courier he centered approval of his drive
upon the new method of teaching children to play the
piano. Part of his words were:
"In piano study, as in golf, there is little use in
merely covering ground, one should aim always to
direct one's progress toward the ultimate goal—and
the goal, to a pianist, is the making of music on the
piano.
"It is my firm conviction that one can make good
music on the piano with comparatively very little
technique, and there is more artistic merit in playing
a simple piece well, musically, than attempting to con-
quer technically difficult pieces at the sacrifice of musi-
cal expression.
"Without meaning to advise, I would like to point
out that piano study would be far more popular than
it is, if students—average players—would be permitted
PHILADELPHIA STEINWAY
HOUSE ELECTS OFFICERS
The annual meeting of stockholders of N. Stetson
& Co. was held January 31 and the following directors
were elected: August von Bernuth, Luke H. Moore,
Theodore E. Steinway, Frederick J. Ziegler, Henry
Junge, W. Ernest Voltz, J. Clifford Povey.
The election of officers was held February 3 and
August von Bernuth was re-elected president, with
Luke H. Moore, vice-president and treasurer, and
Henry Junge, secretary.
OTTO HEATON'S NEW LOCATION
On February 1 the Heaton Music Store, Columbus.
Ohio, moved from its location at 33 East Long street
to 78 North High street. Otto B. Heaton bought the
59-year lease on the building. The fourth floor will
house Heaton Hall and there will be a broadcasting
studio there. The other three floors will house the
departments.
To Repair Men,
Tuners, and Re-
pair Departments:
COMSTOCK-
CHENEY
Products
are Used by Piano
[Manufacturers
Everywhere
HEN most conscientious
piano repair men and tun-
W
ers select parts with a view to
getting the best possible tonal
and mechanical results, they
turn very naturally to the house
of
THE COMSTOCK-CHENEY & CO
whose products have won a
reputation for excellence that
safeguards pianos in which
they are used. The quality line
comprises keys, actions and
hammers for all types of
pianos.
Since the early days of piano
manufacturing, A m e r i c a n
piano makers have made
the presence of Comstock-
Cheney parts in their products
a major selling point, and have
depended on them to retain
their beauty or utility. The
same high standards are em-
ployed in the production of
parts for repair work. Why not
get your repair supplies from a
house whose supremacy in its
line will enable you to achieve
uniformly good results and, in
addition, will reflect its excel-
lence and prestige on your
work ?
Keys, Actions and Hammers
Furnished Complete
Ivory Cutters Since 1834
THE COMSTOCK-
CHENEY & CO.
IVORYTON, CONN.
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/
PREST O-T IMES
BUILDERS AND PLAYERS
OF THE STEINWAY PIANO
Apropos of the coming 100th anniversary of the
birth of Henry Stein way on March 27 next, Presto-
Times takes pleasure in presenting herewith a picture
of that gentleman as he looked in his prime. And also
on the front cover page of this issue, in connection
with the advertisement of Steinway & Sons, appears
another picture of Henry Steinway in his workshop.
The title of this picture, which is from one of the
paintings adorning the walls of the Steinway estab-
lishment in New York, is "Henry Steinway Making
His First Piano." One can imagine how delighted he
would have been if he could have visioned the present
Steinway & Sons offices at 109 West 57th street, New
York, and the Steinway big factories on Long
Island. For Henry Steinway came to New York in
1850 and worked there as a journeyman piano builder
until Steinway & Sons started their business and he
then became one of the original partners when the
firm began on March 5, 1853.
He was a native of Sessen, Duchy of Brunswick,
Germany, where he was born March 27, 1831.
It was his inventive mind that designed many of
the early improvements in the Steinway piano and
he is credited bv sonic with the invention of the first
to concentrate more on the musical expression of a
composition and would be less tormented by pure
finger exercises which, although necessary, are but
a "means to an end' and, if overdone, may often cause
an 'end to one's means'—musically speaking, of course.
"From my own experience, I find that too much
time is spent on purely technical preparation for some-
thing that may never materialize because technique
can be successfully applied to music only, if both, so
to speak, grow up together from their infancy.
"Although I do not like to speak about things which
1 can do, and less so about things I cannot do, yet,
were I a beginner and had the choice of any of the
existing music-making instruments, I would select
the piano."
INDIANAPOLIS PIANO MEN
DOING A FAIR BUSINESS
Business conditions are showing some improvement:
nothing to boast about, but much to be grateful for.
Music merchants have had a fair share of business
during the business depression, and when one stops
to consider this, there is little room for complaint.
The House of Baldwin reports conditions fair and
improving. In the near future some of the new mod-
els in grands, the very latest creations in piano con-
struction will be presented to the public, according
to Ray Coverdill, manager of the local house. Mr.
Coverdill, spent the week-end in Cincinnati at a sales
meeting.
The Marion Music Co. is doing a good business,
reporting the sales of several Schumann grands in
period models. The outlook is fair and anything
but discouraging is their report of conditions. Mark
Mayer, representative of the Brinkerhofr Piano Co.,
was a recent visitor at the company's store.
The Pearson Piano Co. is optimistic over the com-
ing spring and summer business. Business from over
the state is reported good, and mostly of high-grade
pianos. William Christena, formerly in charge of the
Orthophonic department, has severed his connections
with the company, and will hereafter represent the
Capehart Corporation, of Fort Wayne, Ind., in north-
ern Illinois and Indiana, with headquarters in Chicago.
George C. Pearson has left the city for the south-
land and will spend the remainder of the winter in the
Isle of Pines, Cuba.
HKN'KV STKINWAY
The new Farney grand piano has made its appear-
successful "Over-strung Scale," which was one of the ance in Indianapolis at the store of the Wilking Music
first great advances made in piano construction at Co. It is one of the Wurlitzer Co. products, desig-
that time and which differentiated the Steinway pianos nated as Style 7.
The Wilking Co. have taken the stock of the Rob-
from all others then manufactured.
Henry Steinway died in March, 1865, after a severe ertson Music Co., now extinct. The stock is composed
attack of typhoid fever, within a month of the death of Bush & Gerts and Haddorff grands.
E. M. Hewitt, well-known piano salesman in the
of his brother, Charles Steinway.
The picture of Henry Steinway shown in connec- central section of the state, will take over the post
tion with this article is a very good likeness of him— as manager of the Pearson Piano Co.'s store at An-
derson, Ind., filling the place made vacant by the
earnest, grave, intellectual.
death
of Ambrose T. Smith.
Josef Hofman, the distinguished pianist, who years
Recent visitors in Indianapolis were: George Mans-
ago was the pupil of Rubinstein, uses the Steinway
field, of the Everett Piano Co.; J. E. Shale, of the
Checkering & Sons Piano Co.; H. Edgar French, of
Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New Castle, Ind.;
P. E. Mason, and Gottfred Johnson of the Haddorff
Piano Co.
THE PIANO ENNOBLES LIFE
Harry Edward Freund, of Chicago, who writes
occasionally about higher purposes in life, puts music
far to the front as a refiner of humanity. He says:
"Without a piano in use, a mansion is not even a
home. A modest apartment can be made a haven of
happiness with entrancing strains of good music from
the piano that enchant the ear and enthrall the heart
and soul. The piano in the home, with the interpre-
tation of fine music, is evidence of a love for beauty
in life, for inspiring things that make life worth while,
as thoughts are things enabling us, as the years go
by, to engender kindness, sympathy, appreciation,
helpfulness and service, bringing out the best in each
one of us."
uoiefnoftwv
THE PUPIL OF RUBINSTEIN
piano in his concerts and recital work. He believes
in the piano as the basic instrument of music, and in
a recent article from his pen which appeared in the
Musical Courier he centered approval of his drive
upon the new method of teaching children to play the
piano. Part of his words were:
"In piano study, as in golf, there is little use in
merely covering ground, one should aim always to
direct one's progress toward the ultimate goal—and
the goal, to a pianist, is the making of music on the
piano.
"It is my firm conviction that one can make good
music on the piano with comparatively very little
technique, and there is more artistic merit in playing
a simple piece well, musically, than attempting to con-
quer technically difficult pieces at the sacrifice of musi-
cal expression.
"Without meaning to advise, I would like to point
out that piano study would be far more popular than
it is, if students—average players—would be permitted
PHILADELPHIA STEINWAY
HOUSE ELECTS OFFICERS
The annual meeting of stockholders of N. Stetson
& Co. was held January 31 and the following directors
were elected: August von Bernuth, Luke H. Moore,
Theodore E. Steinway, Frederick J. Ziegler, Henry
Junge, W. Ernest Voltz, J. Clifford Povey.
The election of officers was held February 3 and
August von Bernuth was re-elected president, with
Luke H. Moore, vice-president and treasurer, and
Henry Junge, secretary.
OTTO HEATON'S NEW LOCATION
On February 1 the Heaton Music Store, Columbus.
Ohio, moved from its location at 33 East Long street
to 78 North High street. Otto B. Heaton bought the
59-year lease on the building. The fourth floor will
house Heaton Hall and there will be a broadcasting
studio there. The other three floors will house the
departments.
To Repair Men,
Tuners, and Re-
pair Departments:
COMSTOCK-
CHENEY
Products
are Used by Piano
[Manufacturers
Everywhere
HEN most conscientious
piano repair men and tun-
W
ers select parts with a view to
getting the best possible tonal
and mechanical results, they
turn very naturally to the house
of
THE COMSTOCK-CHENEY & CO
whose products have won a
reputation for excellence that
safeguards pianos in which
they are used. The quality line
comprises keys, actions and
hammers for all types of
pianos.
Since the early days of piano
manufacturing, A m e r i c a n
piano makers have made
the presence of Comstock-
Cheney parts in their products
a major selling point, and have
depended on them to retain
their beauty or utility. The
same high standards are em-
ployed in the production of
parts for repair work. Why not
get your repair supplies from a
house whose supremacy in its
line will enable you to achieve
uniformly good results and, in
addition, will reflect its excel-
lence and prestige on your
work ?
Keys, Actions and Hammers
Furnished Complete
Ivory Cutters Since 1834
THE COMSTOCK-
CHENEY & CO.
IVORYTON, CONN.
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).