REPORT

OF THE

SEVENTEENTH TRIENNIAL EXHIBITION

OF THE

Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association,

HELD IN THEIR

EXHIBITION BUILDING, COR. OF HUNTINGTON AVENUE

AND WEST NEWTON STREET,

BOSTON,

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1890.

The present exhibition of musical instruments is of such a nature that more than usual labor and care has been required to arrive at a result which will, in our judgment, be just to all. As in former years, the piano-fortes occupy the prominent place. A great gain has been made in their construction, and the general quality is far in advance of that of former exhibitions ; indeed, the average piano of to-day would have astonished the best workman of thirty years ago. Much ingenuity is shown, in a mechanical direction, in improvements in action, arrangement of desks, and ornamentation of cases. While this is seen on every side, and for which we desire to give credit, we also regret that so much effort is constantly directed to the construction of larger instruments, with greater volume of tone. The responsibility of this must be divided between the public and the manufacturers, but we are sure that the larger share must be assigned to the makers, caused largely by rival firms who have led the purchasers to use, as a standard of excellence, the tape measure rather than the quality of tone.

For our homes, we need small pianos, with pure and even scales and with quick and easy action. Mammoth grands and uprights belong to the concert hall. In the house, they are out of place, causing annoyance to those under the roof where found, or even to those who are unfortunately in the neighborhood. That this statement is not exaggerated is shown by the many inventions like dumb or semi-dumb pianos, to be used during practice hours.

All students do not aspire to be concert players, and those who do can avail themselves of the various means of suppressing sound, and at the same time use the concert instruments. The particular devices that have been invented and applied, improvement in tone and adjustment of action, would all come into use in the smaller instruments, and we should have pianos more fitting to the needs of the average player. Elegance of finish, as well as power, is everywhere seen ; but in quality of tone, through the more important factors of sounding-boards and scales, we do not find so much progress in the last few years. In the organ variety, there is but a meagre exhibit, and this only in the direction of reed instruments. We wish that more attention had been given to the exhibition of pipe organs, if only by showing a collection of pipes and the modern arrangement of the organ action, in which great progress has been made. But a small number of violins of American manufacture are shown, and none of the larger variety of stringed instruments are to be found. Encouragement should be given to the manufacturer of all the orchestral instruments. There has been sufficient evidence in the past of the skill of American workmen, and we regret that in this direction the progress has not kept pace with that shown in the manufacture of instruments of percussion. The banjo, mandolin, and guitar have not gained places in our orchestras, but their popularity for private use is such that we are glad to notice a marked improvement in the quality of tone. The large variety exhibited gives evidence of the increasing demand by the public, and the different makers manifest much taste in their construction and ornamentation.

106. KRANICH & BACH, of New York, make, through their agent, H. W. Berry, 592 Washington Street, Boston, a large exhibit of Grand and Upright Pianos. - They are of excellent workmanship, and of good tone. There are several important and valuable inventions in actions, desks, etc. A patent Agraffe action, rack, folding desk, damper head, and grand action are among them. For these, and the upright piano, No. 23,562, the award is a

Silver Medal.

...
241. THE SMITH AMERICAN ORGAN AND PIANO CO., Boston, exhibit four Upright Pianos, two in the usual style of cases, and two covered with silk plush. - It is claimed for the plush, or cloth-covered pianos, that the tone is so modified that harder, and in consequence, more durable hammers may be used. The elegant exterior will, in many cases, be more in keeping with the highly decorated modern house. From these considerations, the award is a

Silver Medal.

274. THE ESTEY ORGAN CO., 139 Tremont Street, Boston. - An excellent exhibit of Upright Pianos, and also of Reed Organs, in various styles. - For the latter, the award is a

Bronze Medal.

335. KROEGER & SONS, of New York, show, through their agent, George W. Beardsley, 176 Tremont Street, Boston, one Grand and two Upright Pianos. - Of these, we can speak in highest terms for their beauty and evenness of tone, certainty of action, and all that contributes to make an instrument of great excellence. The award is a

Gold Medal.

Mention should also be made for the Wheelock Piano, an instrument of fine quality.

341. GEORGE V. LEICESTER, Worcester, Mass. - Two Upright Pianos.

324. A. T. COOMBS, 2058 Washington Street, Boston. - Upright Piano.
...
519. GEORGE M. GUILD, 101 Bristol Street, Boston. - Upright Pianos. - For an ingenious, and, as we believe, a valuable device for tuning in an exact and easy manner, with no added difficulty in stringing, also, a new and extended desk, the award is a

Silver Medal.

...
625. EDWIN BROWN, Jamaica Plain, Mass. - For an improved action for Grand Pianos, the award is a

Diploma.

800. V. WENTWORTH & CO., 41 Bristol Street, Boston. - Two Upright Pianos.

402. CHAS. P. CUMMINGS & CO. (agents for S. G. Chickering), 158 Tremont Street, Boston. - Exhibit Upright Pianos, of which No. 3,059 has an unusually musical tone, combined with good workmanship. For this the award is a

Silver Medal.

Chas. P. Cummings & Co. also exhibit a collection of three Grand and four Upright Pianos, manufactured by BLU"THNER, in Leipsic, Saxony. These instruments are of acknowledged merit, and are admitted for competition for the first time in the Fairs of the Mechanic Association.

Silver Medal.

765. THE EVERETT PIANO CO. (by E. B. Wood, Agent), 180 Tremont Street, Boston. - Six Upright Pianos, showing good construction and style of workmanship.

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