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THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW. April 5th, 1881. 88 THE COMBINATION ORGAN. I N the issue of this paper for Dec. 5, 1880, we had occasion to record the completion of the first of a series of instruments patented and manu- factured by The Mechanical Orguinette Co., of 831 Broadway, New York, and given by them the very appropriate name of "Combination Organ." The instrument is in reality what its name implies, a combination, embody- ing three different kinds of organs, one of which can be played with the fingers as reed organs usually are; one which can be played automatically by means of a perforated paper sheet on a roller revolved by the pedals which are used to furnish wind to the reeds, and a third, which is perhaps the most remarkable one, in which an air can be played by means of the perforated sheet, while at the same time a person accustomed to the keyboard and possessing some musical ability can vary the theme by playing variations or an accompaniment with the fingers and the keys as in the ordinary reed organ, thereby producing charming musical effects, and furnishing an excel- lent method for improving the style and creative power of advanced musical pupils. We consider this one of the most important features which this novel and valuable instrument possesses, and one which is destined to make a sale for it in places where a merely mechanical instrument would not be considered by intending purchasers. Looked at as a reed organ alone, the " Combination Organ " has quali- ties which must commend it to the musical public. The range of the instru- ment, as made by The Mechanical Orguinette Co., is from two to three sets of reeds, and from four to fourteen stops, six of the latter belonging to the reed organ proper, and four to the automatic instrument. These stops are all genuine ones and each performs a special work; they are not as is so often the ease put in merely for show to make the instrument appear more costly, and thereby to deceive the public, but each one serves a specific pur- pose which may be easily proven by an inspection of the instrument. The reeds of the Combination Organ are made at the celebrated factory of the Munroe Organ Reed Co., in Worcester, Mass., are constructed on a novel principle and made specially heavy, whereby a very powerful tone is pro- duced when the size of the instrument is taken into consideration. The construction of the " Combination Organ," that is to say, that part of it whereby the instrument is changed at the will of the performer, from an ordinary reed organ to an automatic one and vice versa, is so simple that a child ten years old of ordinary intelligence can be taught in a few minutes to make the necessary changes, and all the parts are constructed so simply and durably that it is almost impossible for it to get out of order. The cases of the " Combination Organs " are very varied but in the main tend toward what is called the "chapel " style, that is they do not have the high backs which until within the past few months have been so much in vogue among organ builders, neither do they possess so much of the florid mere- tricious ornamentation, which is characteristic of the cheaper grades of reed organs; but the,r cases are unpretentious and quiet and show excellent taste on the part of the designers. They are all heavily veneered with the best woods, highly varnished and polished, and in this respect will bear favorable comparison with pianos of the highest grades. Since the introduction of the "Combination Organ," the demand for it has become exceptionally large and the Mechanical Orguinette Co. has been obliged to make extra efforts to supply it. The company are now turning out these instruments at the rate of 150 per month and appearances all indi- cate that this will be decidely the most popular of their instruments. We predict a very large sale for it. CHICAGO MUSIC CO., Chicago, HI. EMIL LIEBLING. "Feu Follet." Scherzo for Piano. 50 cts. The prin- cipal theme is happily invented, and elegant players will be enabled to score a good effect with the charming scherzo. NEW MUSICAL INVENTIONS PBEPARED ExPBESSIiY FOB THE MtJSIOAL CRITIO AND TfiADE REVIEW. William F. Ulman, of No. 238,733. PIANOFORTE, dated March 8th, 1881. Boston, Mass. This inventor provides a firm plank of wood or other similar substance to which the hitch-pin plate is fastened, thereby overcoming, the inventor claims, the discordant vibrations which ensue when the hitch-pin plate is only fastened to the frame at its ends, and not provided with a backing. The inventor also claims as new the device of a double bridge made in one piece but having a crescent shaped air space, across which the strings pass at about right angles. The strings which cross this air space are in con- tact with both sides of the bridge so that their vibrations are communicated to the sounding-board at two points, and by the vibration of the air in this space, it is claimed that a louder tone is produced. Instead of passing the strings between pins or through agraffes on the bridge, the inventor provides a strip which is let into the bridge edgewise and secured therein, and the strings are passed through its upper projecting portion. The top of the bridge is bevelled on both sides towards the strip through which the strings pass in order that they may have a bearing on both sides of the bridge, the perforation through which the strings pass being on a lower level than the edges of the bridge. In addition to the above described devices, the inventor claims an improvement in the method of inserting the tuning-pins in the wrest-plank, the improvement being triangular or wedge-shaped holes in which the pins are driven instead of the usual circular holes, whereby it is claimed that the tension of strings drawing the pin toward the narrowest part of the hole, causes it to be held immovably in its position and that the only way in which the instrument can become out of tune is by the stretching of the strings. METHODIST CHUBCH MEMBERS RISING IN WRATH AGAINST D, BEATTY- F. WASHINGTON, N. J., March 16, 1881. To the Editor of the Apollo: As a resident and voter of Washington, I have to ask you to give some little expression of the shame and mortification that every good citizen of our borough must feel, at this time, over the action of the Common Council, on Monday last. They called a special meeting to grant license, thinking that the incoming Council might not grant license indiscriminately. But they went at it with the intention of doing the work, and if ever there was a set of men lost to shame, it was some of the members of the Common Council. Among them was the Hon. (?) Mayor, who has his name con- spicuously painted on one of the church organs as a member of the church. Then right in the face of one of the main doctrines of the Methodist Church, to which he professes to belong, he encourages the worst form of vice. He not only did this work without any pleasure, but gloried in it by calling out to one of the ministers, saying: " Dominie, we done as you said, licensed everything." Now for a man whose great business depends on the fruga- lity and savings of poor men, by his setting such an example, shows him to be short-sighted as a business man, as well as unfaithful to his church. Rising up in the church at one time, he said that his great business was owing to his Heavenly Father. Then on another occasion, as on Monday last, after the meeting of the Common Council, he meets with drunken men at a champagne drinking party, to rejoice in the success of the rum and beer sellers. It is said that one or two members of the Council became drunk on the occasion. Now what is to become of the Methodist Church for con- sistency? If it's merely for the money that the Mayor will give, we'll keep silent on this great and crying evil. What can we, who view the church from the standpoint of a worldling, look for? Christianity means that Christian men should be pure and sincere, or it means nothing. The Metho- dist Church will be looked at now as it has not been before, if this act of one of the trustees can be passed by in silence, and find no rebuke within its offi- cial pale. Then its power and influence for good is greatly impaired. If I can hear that there is self-respect and consistency in the church, I will gladly inform you. OBSERVER. — The Belvidere Apollo, Belvidere, N. J. NEW PUBLICATIONS. OLIVEK D1TSON & CO., Boston, Mass. RICHARD GOERDELER. "Fata Morgana." Melody for Piano. 30 cts. The title informs us that this "Melody" is op. 118 of the writer; otherwise we should have considered it the work of a beginner. It is utterly insig- nificant. ARTHTJB W. MARCHANT. Bouree for Piano. 40 cts. A very interesting composition, which shows serious studies and is pleasing at the same time. HENRI DE BARRI. "Twelve o'Clock." Galop. 50 cts. The title page looks very neat and does credit to the publishers. The galop does not strike us as specially original, although it may amuse dancers. M. GRAY, San Francisco, Cal. J. F. PETRI. " Prelude for the organ." 40 cents. A very clever and nicely set organ piece. D. B. MOODY. "Bob Billy Boo and Wolly Po Pump." 30 cents. A little romance, written for the enjoyment of children; it fills its purpose splendidly. STEPHEN W. ADAMS. " The Blue Alsatian Mountains." 40 cents. This song reminds us of so many other songs, that it would lead too far, and take too long to point out all the originals. W. STUCKENHOLZ. Waltz from "Pirates of Penzance." 50 cents. The principal melodies from Gilbert-Sullivan's operetta have been concocted to the rhythm of Valse. II. L. YANKEE. Lancers from " Pirates of Penzance." 50 cents. It seems that just at present the "Pirates" are the rage in San Francisco. Such rage must have its time and then all is smooth again till something new stirs the minds. JOSEPH D. REDDING. " Twelfth Night," March. 40 cents. But for Suppe and some other composers this March never would have existed. GRATIFYING PROGRESS OF THE STAR PARLOR ORGAN CO. r T^HE Star Parlor Organ Co., of Washington, report a steadily increasing X trade for their instruments during the past six months, which must be very encouraging to them, especially as it occurs at a time when the business generally is comparatively quiet, and is a sign that their celebrated instru- ments are appreciated by the trade. They have a large factory in Washing- ton, N. J., filled with every facility in the way of power and machinery for making a very large number of instruments. The Star Parlor Organ Co. was organized last fall, and succeeded the old firm of Alleger, Bowlby & Co.,who formerly manufactured organs in the same building. The present management declare that no pains are being spared to turn out first-class work in every particular, that they are making instruments exclusively for the wholesale trade, and offer extraordinary inducements to responsible dealers throughout the country. Our reporter was in Wm. Schaeffer's Piano Factory at No. 524 West 43d street, this city, a few days ago, and asked him how his business was ; he said that he had no complaint to make about dull business, that he had all the business he could attend to, and that he had been keeping the usual number of men employed all winter and as to stock, he said, "you see I have nothing here. "Our reporter said that he had found it a little difficult to find Mr. Schaef- fer when he had called on previous occasions. "Well, you see," said Mr. Schaeffer, " I am my own foreman and busy in the factory most of the time and do not have much time to talk." Our reporter saw a very fine upright piano here just ready for shipment to W. J. Barbour, Ogdensburg, N. Y. WALDTETTFEL. " Gaite," a Suite of Valses. 60 cents. A melodious set of valses by this overrated French writer, who, after all, is but a faded edition of Johann Strauss, without having the Austrian composer's vim. HARRY DAVIS. "Dem Golden Shoes." Character song. 40 cents. A minstrel song, as many have been, are, and unfortunately will be. WM. ROHLFING & CO., Milwaukee, Wis. WM. E. LOUIS. " Vineta" and " Albumblatt." Two songs. 90 cents. The conception of the songs is not very remarkable, but we must praise them on account of the musicianly work we found. Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
