Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-01
AN HONEST TEST.

The methods Of testing musical instru.
ments at fairs and other exhibitions give
small assurance OF accurate judgment, even
when there is an intelligent and reasonably
honest jury. Players of real ability and
experience naturally have their personal
preferences they have become accustomed
to certain qualities Of tone and results OF
mechanism and they are seldom tolerant
of new features and effects.
| But behind this is the greater difficulty
that of securing impartial and just jurors.
1t is very seldom that body of jurors is
convened which has not been privately
selected on account of their known prefer
ence for the instrument favored by the
secret junto of the management. l am not
referring to the Centennial Exhibition at
Philadelphia, although the composition
of the examining board OF that occasion
was aa peculiar as its awards. 1t does not
appear that there was any order of merit;
there was only different set of phrases
designed "to darken council and perplex
understanding" The phraseology was ap
parently arrived at, in each case, by toss
ing up dozen beautiful words in dice
box and printing them in the order they
fell. 1t was anticipating the brilliant
methods of the Concord Philosophers.
There was once judgment of pianos in
Boston, which was, in some respects,
unique Admitting that the judges were
possessed of good ears and good taste, it ID
probably the most satisfactory of any COM
petition in our time.
The Massachusetts, Charitable Mechanics
Association appointed committee OF nine
to make awards for pianos and organs.
| Three, at least, were men of musical knowl-
edge and ability Carl Zerrahn, the emf
nent conductor George James Webb,
composer and teacher, and Charles j.
Capen, an organiSt CT repute.
At the preliminary meeting, after the
choice Of Chairman 1.-THE present writer),
| desultory conversation ensued. The
members appeared to be engaged in keen
personal study Of each other.
There was private conversation soon
after between Mr.. Zsrrahn and the Chsir-
man, in which the Situation was dis
cussed. 1t was considered certain that five
members of the committee had been select
ed on account of their preference for a GER
tain piano, and that those members were
likely to be inaccessible to demonstration
or argument. With clear majority fixed,
or "sot," as the Yankees say, in advance,
an examination IN the usual way would be
a farce. Believing that our musical per-
| ceptions could be trusted, a plan was agreed
upon and at the next meeting Mr.. Ter
RAIN moved series OF propositions-one at
/ time. They could not have been carried
together, probably A; but they were carried
siugly, because each was obviously fair and
necessary. These were the rules agreed
lupon:
/ a. The examinations were to be con-
ducted in the Upper hall (Fareuil HalI),
beginning at midnight. This was done to
be rid of the terrible noise of the market
and express wagons in the vicinity.
L q The pianos were to be completely
encased in cotton cloth, with not a particle
of case work visible-only the key boards.
i q When so encased they were to be
arranged around the hall, in such order as
might happen, by the laboring men, and
without the knowledge of any member of
the committee.
a. No light to be allowed in the hall.
Only one allowed in the vestibule.
(5l One person tMr. Webb was desig.
mated as player. He was at liberty to test
the separate notes as he pleased but was
g. play the same ~ pieces, one solemn and
one brilliant, on each. The award on the
pianos was 30 be made upon this test-no
otheF person hcing sll0sed TO touch the
lsys a the trial
s.sss-1 s---.~-- marked out at
4 1Fst. 90 a. % hung ssu ss-.petition be-
/ tween those really meritorious.
Tee result proved that these rules
shutting up the committee in the recesses
o. their own souls-were fatal to the hopes
and projects OF the iive-if las bslieve)
such projects had been formed.
In comparatively short time so many
were marked out that the competition was
confined to three. They were at some dis
lance from the door, and were in deep
gloom.
Many times the player tried these three,
and at last, by vote of five 10 four, one
OF them was marked out.
| Then the two remaining pianos were
tried again and again, but no one could
detect the slightest difference in tone be-
tween them. 1t was, therefore, voted that
the same award should be given to the
makers of each.
The trial having been finished the gas
was turned on, and the covers were taken
from the successful instruments.
They were both Chickering's
The disappointment and scarcely con-
cealed anger of certain members of the
committee may be imagined. Had they
been able to see even one-half of an inch
of molding they would have known the
maker. The musicians on the committee
had not this technical acquaintance with
cabinet-making, and covering the cases
was not an objection to them.
This was many years ago, and it is not
well now to revive the account of the ex-
ceedingly unjust conduct of the committee
after the judgment. 1t is enough that the
piano triumphed which the majority had
determined to crowd out
Ii there has ever been another instance
of trial like this should be pleased to
know it. F. H, U.
This proves conclusively that the Chick
ering piano, when placed upon its true
merits, is sure to take the lead. Mr.. Ham,
mer can as truly say as of the Wilcox &
White organ, that it has no superior. At
his warerooms can always be found full
stock of musical instruments, strings, for
eign and American sheet music, music
4 =