Scan 29
Musical Courier 1893-06-07: Vol 26 Iss 692, 1893
93 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026. Printed page 30. See the scan on archive.org.
1FISCHER GRANDS.
2Great Strides Made.
4If no other benefit could be derived from the Great Exposition at Chicago, the music trade and the music art have at least already made a noticeable gain in the results obtained by special effort on the part of manufacturers of musical instruments who proposed to show to the world what could be produced in this country in the industrial department allied to the art of music. Of course there are other benefits to be derived from the Exposition—benefits and object lessons too vast to discuss in anything short of a history of the Fair itself—but in the particular field of piano making the magnificent specimens of pianos produced represent a positive advance in the character and grade of many of the makers and will work many changes in the relative positions of the firms themselves.
6We have given great time and study to the individual examples of most of the instruments destined for Exposition purposes; have made some of them particular objects of investigation and have indulged in a series of comparisons for the purpose of extracting from general observation what the real trend and direction of the various improvements really signified, and it appears to us that while case work and design, as well as elaboration of ornamentation and decoration, will prove to be the chief characteristic of advancement with many firms, others again appear to have devoted more attention to the exploiting of the musical qualities of the instruments.
8Everyone in the least interested in this feature of the development of the piano will at once detect this latter characteristic, especially in the grand pianos of J. & C. Fischer, one of the great houses in the piano line. The strides made by this house are crystallized in these grand pianos, which are among the choicest specimens sent to Chicago.
10What will at once arrest the attention of the pianist is the velvety quality of the touch, regulated to a degree of nicety that enables a player to perform the most difficult passage work at the expense of a minimum of energy. He who has command of technic can get a wealth of satisfaction out of the depths and response of this touch, and pianists will understand and appreciate what this signifies.
12It signifies, among other things, science in piano building; it signifies, when, as in this case, all the Fischer grands are endowed with that same quality, that it is science as applied to the product and not to isolated specimens; it signifies moreover that the science has been allied to a principle as expressed in the touch of the instruments of this make. That touch is really so exquisite that it should be dignified by individualizing it and calling it the Fischer grand piano touch. Such is done with pianists—like the touch of Bülow, as contradistinguished from the Rubinstein touch; the touch of Carreño as differing from the touch of her husband d'Albert, and many other cases we could instance. Then why not give a distinctive touch that appeals to artistic sentiment the name of the maker of that touch?
14But a piano can have the most heavenly and sympathetic touch; nothing can be accomplished with it if this touch has no support. The tone must support and assist the touch in an equally scientific manner before the instrument can be called an artistic creation. These divisions must be mutually dependent and on a platform of absolute equality. The one cannot get along without the other, and this is demonstrated in these Fischer grand pianos.
16It is rarely the case that grand pianos have such even and unbroken scales. To produce these constitutes in itself a problem most difficult to solve. These scales have been developed with such patience, endurance and determination to secure artistic results as would have discouraged most makers. But there was a purpose to be attained and a reputation indorsed. The completed developed scales were found to be remarkable examples at the final test. Those who desire to hear and learn this are asked as an indorsement of this opinion to make the test themselves, and not only upon the Fisher grand pianos in Chicago, but upon those here at the warerooms or among the many dealers handling them.
18They will find just what we say in reference to these really superb instruments. Touch, tone, carrying capacity, quality and general satisfactory musical results will be found just as we describe these features. In fact this paper could not afford to go on record with such statements as these unless the article described and criticised would justify the opinion.
20With the production of such instruments the firm of J. & C. Fischer necessarily will find a concurrent demand for the same. They will literally sell themselves, and their display at the World's Columbian Exposition will increase this demand more rapidly than the natural channels of trade could have stimulated it.
22Classifications.
23Philosophical Instruments.
24PROTEST 18,459—B 8157.
26PHILADELPHIA Musical Academy against the action of the collector of customs at Philadelphia as to the rate and amount of duties properly collectable on certain philosophical instruments imported per Spree, November 9, 1892.
28The merchandise in this case consists of certain instruments for the demonstration of the properties of sound, assessed for duty at 45 per cent. and 35 per cent. ad valorem respectively, under paragraphs 215 and 230 N. T., but claimed to be entitled to free entry under paragraph 677 N. T.
30Paragraph 677 is in part as follows:
31"Philosophical and scientific apparatus, instruments and preparations, specially imported in good faith for the use of any society or institution incorporated or established for religious, philosophical, educational, scientific or literary purposes and not intended for sale."
33The local appraiser reports that the articles subject of protest, with the exception of the violin are philosophical instruments.
35It may be admitted that said Musical Academy is "established" within the lexicographical writing of the word, and within the construction placed upon it by the courts—Smith v. Forrest, 49 N. H. 230. Ketcham v. the City of Buffalo, 14 N. Y. 356; 11 Gray (Mass) 3, but with these admissions, we are confronted by the real question: What is the purpose of the establishment of said institution? To bring it within the privilege of said paragraph it must have been established for "educational or scientific purposes." That the effect of the construction receipt by pupils in said academy is educational or scientific, or both, may be admitted, but the purposes of the proprietor of the institution in establishing it must be ascertained; for it has a proprietor.
37In a circular of said academy for 1892-3, found in the record, Richard Zwecker is represented as its "proprietor and director." This circular also shows that the academy is a business institution, conducted on strict business principles for the purpose of pecuniary reward. It remains to be determined whether the desire for gain is not in fact the primary purpose, and that of education or of the promotion of the cause of science the secondary object of appellant's action in imposing the articles in controversy here.
39Appellant declares in his protest that the academy of which he is proprietor is an institution established for educational and scientific purposes. Might not a merchant engaged in the importation and sale of philosophical instruments for profit, with equal propriety, say that his shop, warehouse was established for educational and scientific purposes? It may be urged that it was essential to appellant's desire for gain through the giving of instruction in music, that his academy should be an educational institution, and hence that it was necessarily established for educational purposes; but an important circumstance is the fact that the Philadelphia Musical Academy and appellant, Richard Zwecker, are one and the same. Appellant Zwecker publishes himself as "proprietor" of said academy; the academy is hence strictly a private institution, conducted in the sole interest, pecuniarily, of appellant, and presumably the chief end and aim of appellant in the establishment and conduct of the academy is pecuniary advantage or profit.
41Under ordinary circumstances private individuals who should import such articles as are here the subject of controversy would be required to pay duty upon them according to the rates imposed in the tariff upon the materials of which they are composed, notwithstanding such private persons might not design to sell them, but might desire to employ them in scientific pursuits.
43Has appellant removed himself from the category of the ordinary private individual by calling himself an "institution for educational and scientific purposes?" We incline to the opinion that he has not. He has not even caused himself to be incorporated. He is not the artificial person known to the law as a corporation; he is a natural person who may, therefore, do any act not forbidden by the law, but may not claim any rights beyond those to which a natural person is entitled.
45We are led by this course of reasoning to the conclusion that appellant has not brought himself within the purview of the statute whose benefits he seeks, because this academy is a private institution, established primarily for pecuniary profit, and only secondarily for educational or scientific purposes.
47The protest is overruled and the collector's decision is affirmed.—Reported by American Statistical Protective Bureau
49"Crown" Pianos.
50All nature hath her songs of praise,
51'Tis said the stars together sing;
52Angelic hosts their voices raise,
53While harps make heaven's arches ring.
55There seems within our souls to be
56An instrument of wondrous kind,
57Whose strings vibrate in sympathy
58With tones musicians love to find.
60No instrument can stir and thrill
61This inner harp, this gift divine,
62Like Bent's Piano: it can fill
63The souls that worship at its shrine.
65Combined in "Crown" is all the skill
66Of modern artisans of fame;
67A long felt want 'twas made to fill,
68Perfection was its maker's aim.
70A Valuable Instrument.
71On his recent trip through the West and South Mr. M. H. Andrews, of this city, made a most fortunate find, and is now one of the happiest musicians in the country. While looking around the music stores of Boston Mr. Andrews stumbled onto a violin that made him jump with delight, and he was not satisfied until he had it in his own possession, to have and to hold, &c.
73The instrument was made about 75 years ago by J. B. Villaume, of France, the most noted violin maker of modern times. It is an exact copy of the celebrated Paganini violin of Genoa, and its tone is magnificent. For over 40 years it was played in Bilse's Berlin orchestra and was brought to this country about 15 years ago by Bilse's brother. For many years it was the most noted violin in Europe, and was much sought after by famous first violinists.
75When the instrument was brought to this country it needed repairs and its owner traded it with L. O. Grover, the Boston maker, in whose hands it has remained until its purchase by Mr. Andrews. It is in all probability one of the best toned instruments in existence and its value must be reckoned with three ciphers. Mr. Andrews is extremely fortunate to have such a famous violin in his possession, and it is to be hoped that Bangor music lovers may some time listen to its strains in the hands of their favorite artist.—Bangor, Me., "Commercial."
77—The Lowell-Spofford Manufacturing Company, of Lowell, Mass. are sending to the trade a circular showing cut of their number 33 upholstered stool. The appearance of this stool is handsome, and it should be a good seller.
79WANTED—Position by first-class piano and organ salesman, either wholesale or retail, who has had years of varied experience in both branches. Address "A. B. C." care THE MUSICAL COURIER, New York.
81MALCOLM LOVE PIANOS.
82A High Grade Piano, equal to any!
83MANUFACTURED BY
84WATERLOO ORGAN CO., Waterloo, N. Y.
86We invite correspondence from Dealers in localities where we are not represented.
88Story & Clark Organ Company.
89FACTORIES:
90CHICAGO. LONDON.
91Largest Exclusive Organ Manufacturers in the World.
92HIGH GRADE ORGANS ONLY.
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