THE

SIXTH EXHIBITION

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION

AT FANEUIL AND QUINCY HALLS,

IN THE CITY OF BOSTON,

SEPTEMBER, 1850

The Committee on Music have availed themselves of the opportunities afforded during the silent watches of the night, to prosecute the objects of their appointment.

So beset is Faneuil Hall during the day time, with all manner of noises from the street, that it was found impracticable to form accurate discriminations during that portion of the twenty-four hours, and it was only after the close of the rooms for the day, that any thing like a fair hearing of the various claimants for premiums could be obtained. The Committee have devoted as much time to the labor of examination, as was needed to satisfy their minds of the relative deserts of each instruments. It may be added, that there has been no essential difference of opinion on the part of the individual members ; so that there has been less occasion than was at first anticipated, to regret that the number of Judges was not such as to admit of a casting vote to determine disputed points.

Attention was first directed to the array of Piano Fortes. There were in number, including all species, twenty-six of these instruments, from twelve different manufactories.

658. JONAS CHICKERING, Boston. One Seven-Octave Grand Piano Forte. This instrument had no competitor in the exhibition. The Committee could only, therefore, compare it with their reminiscences of others which had been met with in former times, and in this or other places. While there was a somewhat vague impression on the minds of one or two, that this particular instrument has been excelled by others by the same maker, the judges were unanimous in their opinion as to its absolute merits. There is nothing which can be said in praise of it, that the Committee would not fully endorse. Indeed it seems superfluous to commend that which of itself commands universal admiration. Mr. Chickering's Grand Pianos,are famous throughout the civilized world. He received the highest award of the Association for Grand Pianos, at the exhibition of 1847.

On Seven-Octave, Semi-Grand Piano Forte. This Instrument, considering its dimensions, is not inferior to the last named, with the single exception that three or four of the lower strings, upon their being struck, give out a sharp harmonic ring, in addition to their proper sound. And for some reason this peculiar sound is not in the correct ratio of a natural harmonic, but seems foreign and unrelated to its generator. The effect is of course unpleasant. The cause is supposed to reside entirely in the string, and may therefore be easily removed. In all other respects, the instrument is unexceptionable.

One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. This is clearly the best of its class in the exhibition. It combines all the best qualities of the highest rank of Pianos. For breadth, freedom, and evenness of tone ; for promptness and elasticity of action ; and for a combination of everything that is rich and splendid it this description of musical instrument, it is quite unapproached. The Committee are unanimously of opinion that if a Gold Medal is ever to be awarded for great excellence and decided superiority, Mr. Chickering should receive one for this instrument. Gold Medal.

One Six-Octave Square Piano Forte. This, all things considered, is assigned the third place in the upper class. It was thought that the upper tones were not precisely a balance for the lower and middle ones. But the latter were so rich and full, and the former so nearly in perfect likeness to them, that the judges had no hesitation in determining its relative merit. Bronze Medal.

1615. LEWIS H. BROWN, Boston. One Semi-Grand Piano Forte. There was little opportunity to judge of the merits of this instrument, as it was kept locked, at the times appropriated to examinations. But from such observation as could be made, while the rooms were open, the Committee are satisfied that it cannot rank with those of the same kind described above, though its qualities are tolerably good.

282. HALLETT, DAVIS & CO., Boston. One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. This instrument has many good qualities. The action is excellent. The character of tone is good, though not of the []est grade. There is a slight unevenness, which strikes the ear like a good voice imperfectly cultivated, passing though its different registers. The fault is by no means glaring, however. Upon the whole it is deemed worthy of a Bronze Medal.

One Six-Octave Square Piano Forte. A very good Piano Forte.

One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. This ranks as second of the Square Pianos in the Hall. It falls behind one of Mr. Chickering's in power and breadth of tone, but in all the qualities of sweetness of tone, evenness of strength, and delicacy of action, it treads []ely upon the heels of its successful rival. The character of its [] is very beautiful, and it will be difficult to find an equal to this instrument in this respect. It is deemed richly worthy of a Silver Medal

417. HALLETT, DAVIS & CO., Boston. One Seven-Octave Boudoir Piano Forte. Full rich tone, but not well balanced.

259. CONRAD MEYER, Two Piano Fortes. Very fine action, for which the Committee award a Bronze Medal.

1142. LEMUEL GILBERT, Boston. One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. An agreeable quality of tone, but wanting freedom and resonance.

One Seven-Octave Boudoir Piano Forte. The Committee think this is the best instrument of the class they have ever seen. The grand fault of the Boudoir Piano, has been the relative weakness of the upper notes. In this of Mr. Gilbert, the fault is in a good degree avoided ; so that he hope may be entertained that this kind of instrument will finally come to enjoy a good share of public favor. The Judges recommend a Silver Medal.

260. GEORGE HEWES, Boston. One Six and-a-half Octave Square Piano Forte. This is brilliant, and free in tone, with a very excellent action. It takes rank among its worthy competitors. The Judges esteem it as the fourth in the class, and worthy to receive Silver Medal.

One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. This is not quite equal to the last named, in regard to the qualities of its tones. It lacks volume.

One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. Very fine action ; brilliant and even in tone ; wanting breadth and volume of the first class. Deemed worthy of a Bronze Medal.

[A model, shewing the different species of action made use of in the Piano Forte, was inspected by the Committee. It illustrated the French, the English, and what Mr. George Hews calls the American action. The only observation which can be made from the inspection of the model, is that the American action seems the more simple. By comparison of instruments in which the two kinds are used, the Judges arrived at this conclusion, viz ; that the specimens of the new action, which came under notice, were fully equal but not superior to the beset of the ordinary.]

1322. WILLIAM P. WINCHESTER & CO., One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte.

1032. CHICKERING & CO., Boston. One Six-Octave Piano Forte ; one Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte.

243. WILLIAM P. EMERSON, Boston. One Six and-a-half Octave Square Piano Forte. This deserves a good deal of praise. As a specimen of Mr. Emerson's work, it leads to the expectation of a high rank to be attained by persevering effort, The Committee recommend a Bronze Medal.

1409. WOODWARD & BROWN, Boston. One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. A good instrument. Even and brilliant ; rather too brilliant. It is not equal to the next named, from the same manufactory.

One Seven-Octave Square Piano Forte. A very fine instrument, well balanced and lively in tone ; worthy of a Bronze Medal.

One Six-Octave Square Piano Forte. Square corners.

One Six and three-quarters Octave Square Piano Forte. Round corners. A superior instrument, deserving to rank among the best on exhibition. It is highly creditable to its enterprising and persevering builders, and is adjudged worthy to receive a Silver Medal.

626. EDWARD HARPER, Boston. One Six-Octave Square Piano Forte.

1223. WILKINS & NEWHALL, One Six and an Eighth Octave Boudoir Piano Forte.
...

The Judges of Cabinet Furniture, Upholstery and Pianoforte Cases, deem it due to the Contributors, to say, with regard to the articles submitted to them, that they far exceed those of any previous Exhibition. With such an elaborate display of taste, elegance and ingenuity, the duty of the Judges was that of pleasure, and they have spared no time in their examination, to make their awards according to merit.

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