Evening star., 1953-10-18
News of Music

111C 0VOAA4WoJ OA4OS1~A~A
celebration which starts on
tomorrow in New York with o
mammoth concert, will be
close to the hearts of long
time residents of this city. For
the name Of Steinway and OF
the late Edward H. Droop.
are linked together in the
musical annals of Washing
ton. For more than half q
century, the local firm, con-
sisting in its last years, OF
Edward and Carl Droop. was
the representative here of the
famous piano manufacturers.
The Steinway piano first came
on the Washington market
through the efforts of e. F.
Droop, father of Edward and
Carl, when Is years before the
turn of the century, he bought
out the music house Of Mez-
zerotte and established his own
concern.
After housing the music
business first on F street, later
at 925 Pennsylvania avenue,
and finally at 1900 G street,
the firm passed out of exist
ence in 1943 after the deaths
of the two brothers. But dur
ing their active lives, it was
the focal point of all the great
artists who came to WASH
ington, especially the pian-
lists. In an upstairs room,
they not only selected the
Steinway they wished to use
for their concert but practiced
their programs diligently.
One of those great artists,
Ignace Jan PaderewSki, was a
long standing friend of Ed
ward Droop. Trying out the
pianos for one Of his appear
ances, the colorful pianist was
asked by Mr.. Droop how he
could tell which was the bet
ter one. Nov if I gave you
a bunch of beautiful red
roses" said Mr.. Droop, could
you tell me which one was
the beSt?" Paderewski an
swered "I could if I were q
rose grower"
Gold One for T. R.
PaderewSki and Mr.. Droop
often played cards together
when the noted pianist was
not a guest at the White
House. The Steinway legend
has been associated with mus
tc at the White House since
the first Steinway was in
stalled there in the Theodore
Roosevelt administration. At
that time, the famous manu-
facturers presented to the Ma
ton the 100,000th grand pi-
ano they had made in this
country. It was overlaid with
gold and the shields OF the 13
original States were painted
on the sides, joined with
wreathS of carved leaves. The
instrument stood on three
eagles with spread wings
placed on pedeStals ornament
ed with laurel leaves.
The first article OF Mrs.
Cleveland's furniture put into
the White House when Pres
ident Cleveland assumed Office
for the second time, was a
Steinway grand. When Frank
lin D. Roosevelt came to the
historic mansion, the gold
Steinway was replaced by one
of fine Honduras mahogany.
The carvings on the sides pic
tured the folk music OF this
country. The musical pro-
grams following all the i'm
portant state dinners, were
arranged by the Steinway
liaison officer, the late Henry
Junge, who brought all the
great musicians to the White
House. The artists were guests
at the preceding dinner, and
at some of the less formal
afternoon affairs, stayed for tea
with the White House hostess.
But each time Paderewski. for
whose first American tour,
William Steinway, father OF
the present head Of the firm,
put up q guarantee Of $4,000,
appeared, he was overnight
guest of the President.
Knew Steinwoys
Mr.. Droop never missed one
of these White House musi-
Gales. He was on intimate
terms with all the Steinway
family. A superlative pianist
himself, he was chosen by the
firm to demonstrate the new
five-foot Steinway for the deal
ers in New York when 1t was
first put on the market \1n
1886. President Of the piano
manufacturers association for
two years, he was also the
second oldest dealer In the
United States.
His friendship with the most
famous pianistS Of the time
was very close. He was a great
admirer of Rachmaninot1 In
particular. At a concert Rach-
maninoff gave here shortly be-
fore leaving for a trip TO
Europe, Mr.. Droop went back
stage at Constitution Hall
during the intermiSsion to visit
him. He found the artist in
detected mood. After an ex-
change of greetings, he asked
him how he was. "Oh, I am
not WELL" said Rachmaninott.
Concerned, Mr.. Droop inquired
what was the matter. Il am to
be operated upon," answered
the artist ploomily. Not wish
I.nesanirikiHrn vet dA.