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Musical Courier 1893-07-01: Vol 27 Iss 695, 1893
79 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE MUSICAL COURIER.
3THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION 1893 CHICAGO, U.S.A.
5HAPPINESS IN THE GERMAN SECTION.
7The gentlemen in charge of the musical instrument display of Germany are happy. For some time the heat has been so intense that people rather avoided a trip to the gallery in which the Liberal Arts Department of Germany is located. Having nobody to show goods to and the burning rays of a relentless sun to endure, these gentlemen were getting out of all patience with themselves and the Exposition in particular. This is now greatly modified by the recent cool weather, and from another source there comes happiness in crowds of people. A monster orchestrion from the house of M. Welte & Sohne, Freiburg, Germany, has been put in successful operation. The tones of this instrument draw the crowds from the main floor below, and after they have listened to a selection from the orchestrion, the piano men entertain the visitors by exhibiting their goods. They get the crowd by the assistance of the large orchestrion, therefore they are happy.
9All interested in musical instruments should visit this section, for there are some elegant pianos there. These instruments are standing the trials of this country's climate unusually well. The varnish is as fresh and free from checks as ever, while the glued work is in elegant condition. The instruments have experienced a great trial during the wet and dry days of this spring and summer, and the way they stand it speaks well for German workmanship.
11Messrs. Grotrian, Helfferich & Schulz are showing a grand that is almost marvelous in its superb carving. The tone is exquisite, while the action is well regulated. Their uprights are good also. A noticeable thing about this exhibit is the fine plate work in all instruments. The plate in their large upright is richly ornamented, and is quite a triumph of the molder's art.
13The pianos from the house of M. F. Rachals & Co. are of fine workmanship, and of that refined tone so noticeable in German pianos. The firm is displaying a novelty in the form of a sectional piano, which is described elsewhere in this issue under the head of novelties.
15Ludwig, Hupfeld's mechanical pianos vie with the orchestrion in drawing and retaining visitors. The instruments are played with a crank and regulate the rise and fall of the dampers automatically, instead of having the performer use the usual pedals for this.
17The pianos from the house of Carl Rönisch are delightfully toned instruments. The grand especially has a sweet sympathetic tone that delights the ear, while the action is finely regulated.
19To enumerate further is to go over the same ground. The musical instruments on exhibition from Germany are all elegant in case work and musical in tone. That cannot be said of several in other sections of the Exposition. Manufacturers can learn something of thoroughness by inspecting the musical instruments in the German section. Go and see.
21No More Steinway Pianos.
23Mr. Geo. H. Wilson, valet de chump to the Martinet of Music Hall, has been telling from the house tops that "we" are through with the Steinway Piano. One proof of this is that the Steinway piano has not been heard in any of the concerts of the Woman's Amateur Clubs of the United States the past week. While this piano is the recognized instrument in the concerts of several of the clubs, there was no attempt made to secure Steinway's for their use. Does it mean that July 1 is drawing nigh, and at the thought of the National Commissioners' next meeting Mr. Thomas and "his chumplets" tremble. When naughty boys have disobeyed their masters his approach is watched with much trepidation, while the offenders put on a virtuous air and loudly proclaim their good deeds, hoping that the sins of omission and commission will be overlooked in the surface view of right doing. Mr. Thomas' brass mouthpiece—Mr. Wilson—need not bray so loudly about pious intentions, because his talk is fishy and lacks substance. It takes a man with the trusting nature of a two-year old baby to believe the valet de chump of Music Hall.
25Crude Pavement.
27The finished Exposition is the most startling exhibition of crudeness. Perhaps it is impossible for man to conceive and execute such a gigantic scheme and make perfection. Still it does seem that in a few points perfection should have been approached. An examination of the entire grounds fails to produce anything that even approaches perfection outside of the meritorious value of exhibitors' wares. The crudest of the crude is the condition of the walks. They are simply abominable. In wet weather mud abounds, and when the weather is clear the sprinkling carts attend to the mire business with as much success as Dame Nature herself. When they are not sprinkled their white chalk-like composition gets into the eyes and covers the person with fine particles of the grittiest kind of dirt.
29In making walks the wrong kind of composition was used. Crushed stone furnished by a local street paving company was chosen, or rather the company became a concessioner of the Fair, and put down a pavement that the common council of a Congo village would demand relaying. Just imagine great and little stones wedged together, and stuck there with some kind of adhesive mortar for delicate ladies to walk over. A street pavement that horses would disdain, for the tread of the feet of men and women. The worst paved street in New York and Chicago would put to shame the World's Fair walks.
31Pianos in Recitals.
33The value of advertising pianos in Recital Hall was shown last week at the National Convention of the Women's Amateur Clubs, held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. These amateur clubs are composed of leaders of society in different cities of the United States, and to bring your pianos prominently forward among such people is in the nature of an augmentation of prestige. A piano well played before such people is appealing directly to a class of buyers who have ample means of gratifying their desires. It is a picked audience for displaying a meritorious instrument.
35In this convention the famous old Chickering & Son's piano was the greatest favorite, being used by 20 different clubs. The Kimball piano was second with a record of six clubs. The others used were the Hallet & Davis three times and the A. B. Chase once.
37Piano in the German Castle.
39A fine upright piano in American walnut has been selected by the German commissioners from the exhibit of M. F. Rachals & Co., Hamburg, and is now installed in a niche in the chapel of the German castle. The instrument's architecture is pure Gothic, and harmonizes nicely with its new surroundings. Mr. Rachals, in charge of the exhibit, is delighted that his house should have the honor of supplying the German castle with an instrument that in tone and case so elegantly fits the surrounding grandeur.
41Wanted an A. B. Chase Grand.
43Mr. Calvin Whitney, President A. B. Chase Company, Chicago:
44Dear Sir—There will be held at Music Hall, beginning Wednesday, June 21, a convention of the amateur musical clubs under the direction of Mrs. Theodore Thomas, chairman. At the session of Saturday, June 24, it was desired to use a Chase piano grand, the session lasting from 9 to 8 o'clock. If agreeable, will you have the piano delivered at Music Hall sometime previous to the day of the session, suiting your own convenience. If you will kindly notify Mr. Sauerberg, chief clerk, who has charge of the arrangements, what time your team will be on the Sixty-fourth street entrance to Jackson Park, he will see that someone meets you at the gate with a pass for admittance.
46Thanking you for the courtesy, I am, yours truly,
47G. H. Wilson, Secretary. one of two readings
48G. H. WILSON, Secretary. one of two readings
50The above letter was the first intimation that Mr. Whitney had that his house's piano was desired in the amateur concerts. He replied yes to the communication and sent an elegant grand. The instrument was highly praised by all who heard it. Particularly pleased was the pianist, who returned thanks to Mr. Whitney personally.
52Two Views of Mr. Geo. H. Wilson.
54"Mr. Wilson is a most courteous and urbane gentleman, and his method of doing business always leaves a favorable impression upon any with whom he comes in contact."
56The above is from a diurnal Chicago trade circular of the genus "softsoapfordough."
58Mr. Geo. H. Wilson is a most discourteous and ill-mannered ass, and his method of doing business always leaves the impression on anyone with whom he comes in contact that a greater fool and charlatan never existed.
60There is a wide difference of opinion in these estimates of the character of the fakir of Music Hall; but he and his methods of doing business have been so well shown up in past issues of THE MUSICAL COURIER that extended comment is unnecessary.
62Booth Attendants Complain.
64In one booth in Section I pianos are played in season and out of season, in tune and out of tune. The racket is something terrible. The booth attendant has no appreciation of the terrific din he is causing, neither has he any sense of the laughable spectacle he is making of himself. The practice of annoying others by playing out of time as well as going, into booths and inviting dealers to visit one's exhibit in a pleading, supplicating, offensive manner, is reprehensible and will not do the house of B. Shoninger any good, while it antagonizes the gentlemen in charge of other booths, who look with disgust on such conduct.
66It would be better to do business in a gentlemanly manner, thus avoiding a nuisance; but Mr. Max Stern, a gentleman from the cultured drawing rooms of Nova Scotia, has been so inoculated with the customs in vogue in that locality (no reflection on Nova Scotia) that he cannot adapt himself to the common politeness of Chicago society, and thus avoid making a consummate ass of himself. Some heavy weight in Section I should teach this gentleman "from the cultured drawing rooms of Nova Scotia" some decency through the medium of the manly art.
68To pose as promoters of pugilism is not our wish, but the offense against decency of this gentleman "from the cultured drawing rooms of Nova Scotia" is so flagrant that somebody should thrash the everlasting daylights out of this exponent of the doings of the "cultured drawing rooms of Nova Scotia."
70The Exhibit of Behr Brothers Company.
72The dealer that visits Chicago and the World's Fair, who does not look over the exhibit of Behr Brothers Co., will miss it. This firm has sent nothing to the Fair that they cannot duplicate at short notice from their stock. They do not believe in making a special exhibition of a grade far above the ordinary run of their goods. To this policy they have carefully adhered. They are not showing anything that is not regular in style. A Behr Brothers Co. catalogue can be obtained, and in it will be found enumerated all the instruments on exhibition. They have a great deal to show, albeit having no special work on view.
74Their grands are handsome in architecture, musical in tone and just right as to touch.
76The uprights are in perfect keeping with the grands, being fine instruments. The Louis XV. style is similar to the instruments that are in the gorgeous Hotel Waldorf, excepting the finish, which is white and gold instead of being all gold. The instrument is very attractive in case work, while the tone is rich and mellow, delighting the ear. The entire exhibit of Behr Brothers Co. possesses distinct merit. Mr. H. F. Brown is in charge and extends a hearty welcome to all dealers. Go and see him and his goods.
78Doctor Peabody took a stroll through Section I the other day, and has since ordered the demolition of what the gentleman attending the booths had named "Krell's graveyard." It was a case containing some elegant violins, violas and 'cellos from Albert Krell, Cincinnati. The case was painted black, with gold trimming, and was surrounded by posts of funeral
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