The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1912)

8 Edison Phonograph Monthly, March, 1912 quite took the audience by surprise. The subject of the" "phonogram" was the benefits to be derived from home recording, and reference was made to the simplicity and inexpensiveness of the operation. In the course of the evening a suggestion was made to form a Northampton Phonograph Society, the chief object of which would be to encourage home recording, contests being held from time to time to judge results obtained by members, and Mr. Simons announced that the Edison Company would be pleased to give every encouragement and co-operate in that direction. The text of Mr. Cromelin's "phonogram" was as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen. — It would be a great privilege to be personally with you to-night, to participate in the first Edison Smoking Concert, which has been so cleverly conceived, and brought to such a successful conclusion, by our good friend, your genial host, Mr. R. P. Wykes. But this is not possible and I want you, nevertheless, to know that I am with you in spirit, and that the National Phonograph Company wishes you to feel that we appreciate the importance which should be attached to the first Edison Smoking Concert. We believe that by inaugurating such a scheme, Mr. Wykes has pointed the way by which thousands of users of Edison Phonographs can be brought into closer and more friendly relation with one another, and if this can be accomplished, the result must be of infinite benefit to all. I am going to send a full and complete report of your evening's entertainment to Mr. Thos. A. Edison, and know how pleased he will be to hear all about it. The idea of having an evening devoted to amateur recording is one which will strongly appeal to Mr. Edison, and I sincerely hope you will carry out the plan at an early date. The Edison Phonograph is above all things an instrument for the home, and aside from its powers as the greatest of all entertainers, it contains a feature which, I am sorry to say is too frequently overlooked, and that is you can make your own records. There should never be a family gathering at Christmas time in any home where there is an Edison Phonograph without a record being made of the voices of all present. I am firmly of the belief that you will prize these in later years, and treasure them as precious possessions, when your ordinary records of the same time will have long been forgotten. I myself, have hundreds of such records. The voices of my children made at various ages, the voices of my mother and my brothers long since deceased, and the voices of friends. It is all so simple and easy, and inexpensive. Take my advice and try it this Christmas — your Phonograph will have a new interest for you and you will find in it a greater enjoyment than you ever had before. On behalf of Mr. Edison and the company I send you, one and all, our best greetings. — Faithfully yours." Spalding's Violin There' are violins and violins; instruments which have as destined personalities as the artists themselves because of the wide difference in the quality of tone produced. The casual listener little realize the friendship and companionship which exists between the artist and the violin, and only wonders at the golden tone produced by the manipulation of horse hair over four frail strings. The writer shared the general illusion or delusion with the rest of the public until a sight of Spalding's famous Montagnano violin opened up to him a new world of thought. Domineco Montagnano was a Venetian master who thrived in the early part of the seventeenth century and served his apprenticeship in the great old school of Cremona. He is generally more noted for his 'cellos than his violins, but the specimen possessed by Albert Spalding is an exception, it being probably the chefd'oeuvre of his life. It has lived through nearly two centuries of experience and yet time has only laid a delicate hand of embellishment on it. The color is a rich cherry and the entire wood seems to have been bathed in a golden light; the tone has been born inherent in the soul of every Venetian artist, whether he be a Titian, a Tintoretto or simply an obscure violin maker. The formation is small, the instrument is very flat and the workmanship is of an amazing delicacy. One feels like sending a vote of thanks to the modest old master whose now famous instrument thrills the emotions of the countless thousands who sit enthralled by the luscious tone of Albert Spalding. — American Musician. With the increasing popularity and fame of Albert Spalding it will be well for Dealers to know just how many of this artist's Records we now have on sale. Therefore, we print below a list of Spalding Records, including the March offerings: Amberol Records. 177 Polonaise in D Major, Wienianvski Albert Spalding 203 Hungarian Dances — G Minor and A Major Albert Spalding 217 Garden Melody, Schumann Albert Spalding 290 Gypsy Airs, Sarasate Albert Spalding Amberol Concert Records. 28005 Ave Maria, Bach-Gounod Marie Rappold and Albert Spalding 28007 Prize Song — "Die Meistersinger," W agner-Wilhelm) Albert Spalding 28010 Meditation— "Thais" Albert Spalding