Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-14
LNSURES HARMONY FOR
FAVORITE OLD PIANOS
ART PRESERVATlVE OF THE
MELODY OF AGE
Artistic Mechanical Skill Now Delays
Wear of Pianos and Vet Saves
MeIIowness Brought by
Time
BY GEE O'JAY

Yesterday was visitors day at the
George j. Birkel company's piano hospital
I visited-and the effect upon me was just
about the same as tour through the
operating rooms of a real hospital-where
humans are done over.
There were pianos of all ages-many
that were old before l saw light (and m
not so younG). There were quaint OLD
'whalebacks," pondrous squares, every
imaginable style and size upright and
sprinkling of noble grands-all ailing,
many of them horribly sick-but most OF
them in a fair state of convalescence'
The owners of these instruments were
anxiously awaiting their return-l1ke look
ing for long lost children.
AS l neared the fifth floor operating
room my ears were assailed with the most
horrible ADMINISTRATIONS. A horrible
grooming in the vitals of an out-of-tune
grand-the treble protests of an upright
being newly strung. And then the
screeching of sandpaper over the back OF
a delicate miniature grand which had been
sentenced. to receive 8 cents worth of
bright new varnish.
AS ! have said, the effect was almost
saddening. Here were dozens of pianos
which had been caresSed and fondled Tor
the cruelest indignities. They were ham
mered and pounded, dismembered and dis
sected by a lot of men who seemed as in
different to their protests as doctor to
the cries of tortured child. Why not let
these time-wor pianos be? Why not give
them a peaceful old age? Right there l
decided to start,a society for the proven
ton of cruelty to seen their best-days
pianos
But Just then the chief operator, Mr..
Schadee, came around. Strange to say he
is a kindly looking man. l buttonholed
him Immediately and spoke of my purpose
to PUT him out of business. With 1
thought, a subdued emotion, he said;
Yes. it does seem cruel, to be sure, but
(here a beaming smile) come with me-"
He led me to a room full of pianos that
looked for all the world as if they had
just arrived from the factory. Pausing
where stood a very handsome colonial up
right he lovingly carressed its glowing
surface Here" said he, lis piano with
a very interesting history. 1t is Stein
way, bought by San Francisco musician
years ago Many a noble thought has it
voiced many a ranking trouble has it
soothed. It's life was placid and blissful
In the hands of loving owner. But sud
denly came the earthquake-which it
easily withstood but, alas! not the fire.
Slowly the flames crept to it's abiding
place. scorching its varnish and blacken-
ing the worries of its keys. The water
from the firemen's hose seeped through it's
well built frame, rusting its strings and
rendering it's felt-covered hammers use
less. But the destroying elements ceased
their wanton work.
For weeks this skeleton of piano stood
forlorn in it's deserted home. Its owner
will oil
destitute and discouraged. He is a talented
musician, and it took but little while for
him to gain recognition here. Then he
needed his piano, his own instrument the
companion of many years"
Here the genial chief operator gently
touched minor chord in the mellow
depths of the middle register, a chord
which seemed to encompass in its mystery
the soul fortunes of a troubled life. And
then" he continued. this battered piano
was sent to us. 1t looked like a large
closely watch it's progress from near 20
death to joyous life. And here is the re-
suit This piano is in every respect as
good as it was before the test of the
flames,
And that is but one instance of how the
George j. Birkel company brings almost
dead pianos to life. No matter whether
the damage is done by fire, water or rail-
way collisions there seems to be a remedy
In their piano hospital. My intention to
head a league of protest is abandoned.
The treatment is cruel while 1t lasts. but
then the good is lasting, and I'm sure the
pianos are grateful for the new lease of
life given them.
In charge of the piano tuning depart
ment of the George j. Birkel company is
Paul C. Fischer, so many years with
Steinway & Sons Mr.. Fischer has had a
wider experience, perhaps, than any living
piano tuner. He has Travelled as pro
fesslonal tuner for Steinway & Sons with
no less than thirty-nine great artists dur
ing the seasons they played the Steinway
piano. These artists include such famous
pianists as Lhevinne, Paderewski, Rosen-
thai, Hoffman,, Blooffeld- Zeiser, Joseffy
and De Pachmann,