Piano Manufacturers & Organ Makers Association Dinner

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On April 24, 1890, William Steinway, the first President of the Piano Manufacturers & Organ Makers Association, presided over the organization's gala dinner at the Hotel Brunswick. The dinner was attended by many of the celebrities of the day.

William's own address was followed by the speeches of many notables, each introduced by William with "witty remarks." Extensive coverage followed, both in the daily press and in the musical papers, as duly noted in considerable detail by William in his Diary. "At 7 P.M. in dress coat, forgetting my keys + pocket book, drive to Hotel Brunswick Piano Mfrgs & Organ Makers Asct. dinner, which turns out a splendid affair. I conduct Pres. Grover Cleveland, present also Mayor Grant, Carl Schurz, Wm. R. Grace, Genl O Beirne, altogether 265 persons. At 9 P.M. I rise and make a speech, which is recd with immense enthusiasm, Cleveland, Carl Schurz, Thurber, Dr. Stoeckel, Genl Beirne and several others speak all in turn introduced by me in different style and witty remarks which are much applauded. Only Cotterill speaks in pessimistic style and poor taste. The dinner is over at 1? AM when I take Pres Grover Cleveland to a carriage" (Diary, 1890-04-24)

William continued to be delighted by the reportage of the event.(Diary, 1890-04-25) He noted in particular, "All the musical papers have made great efforts to properly report this dinner, with pictures of myself and Cleveland Schurz +c. +c. Harry S. Freund has surpassed all the others and has all speeches and my introductions of speakers complete, and a large fine picture of myself, colored.... The enthusiasm as to my speech is constantly rising." (Diary, 1890-04-27)

The event was truly a gala affair that included a dining hall decorated in a "life-size representation of an upright piano in violets, roses, lilacs, and white carnations." Following the description of the Hotel Brunswick's decorations, and a listing of notables present, The New York Times summarized William's speech: "Mr. Steinway opened the regular speaking of the evening with an interesting review of the growth of the piano trade in this country." Then followed several paragraphs of quotations from ex-President Cleveland's speech and a brief summary of remarks by Carl Schurz. (2)

The "musical papers" provided much more extensive reportage of the event. The American Art Journal's report, running five pages, included a brief history of the dinner's organization and planning, a diagram showing seating at all of the tables, the menu, the toasts, sizable excerpts from the speeches by William Steinway, Grover Cleveland and Carl Schurz, and portraits of some twenty-one of the principal participants. (1)

As William noted, coverage in Supplement to Freund's Music and Drama was in some ways even more complete, as it included the table seating, the menu and the toasts, and also texts of all the speeches and William's introductory remarks for each speaker, as well as the full-page picture of William. (3)

In his speech, remarks to his fellow diners on the history of piano manufacture in America, William focused on improvements in the piano, the superiority of materials available in this country, reliance upon skilled European immigrants, labor relations, and future prospects for the piano trade. Each speaker he introduced with was to respond to a different toast, these including "Our American Industries," "Development of Music in America," "America," "The City of New York," "Our Judiciary," "The Press," "Our Merchants," "American Artists and Composers," "Our Kindred Trades," and "The Ladies." (3)

[JFB]

Sources:

  1. "Annual Dinner of the Piano and Organ Manufacturers' Association, Thursday Evening, April 24, 1890, Hotel Brunswick, New York: A Brilliant Gathering," American Art Journal, April 26, 1890, pp. 27-32.
  2. "Dining With Piano Men: Mr. Cleveland Greeted With Cheers - The Speakers and Toasts," The New York Times, April 25, 1890, p. 5.
  3. "The Trade Dinner, A Splendid Success: A Great Event in the History of the Music Trade: A Very Large and Enthusiastic Attendance: The Distinguished Guests Who Were Present, William Steinway's Great Speech, The Brilliant Responses to the Toasts, The Perfect Arrangements of the Committee," Supplement to Freund's Music and Drama," April 26, 1890, pp. 9-14.