Klarinet Archive - Posting 000859.txt from 1995/10

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: ordering music
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 23:51:44 -0400

On the subject of ordering music - in addition to Fred J's list, all of
which I use from time to time, I have the following:

Yesterday Music Service
1972 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Mass 02140
(617) 547-8263

The people here know the music biz - who publishes what, and whether it
is still available. They often offer a discount, will send music with a
bill, and get to know you after while. It is always the same few people
on the phone - no disgruntled unemployed tenors working here (like the
bad old days at Patelson's in NYC!!) - so the service is good. I once got
a post card apology for wrong information which delayed an order!

One word of warning - never send a letter with the salutation "Dear
Sirs". A friend was taken to task by the woman who owns the place!

Fred's mention of Frank music reminds me of a true story - it happened to
me. In the 70's, Frank Music was still owned by Frank Marx, and it was at
the top of the Sophia building on 62nd or 63rd and Broadway in NYC. After
the trip to the 24th floor on the freight elevator, one waited at the
screen for FM to take your order (no browsing here), and he disappeared
into the dark stacks to come up with your music. He never said much - if
he didn't have something, he'd tell you it was out of print, or he'd have
it next Tuesday, or whatever the case was. On numerous occaisions, some
little old lady piano teacher would ask for "Fluffy the Puppy" (or some
such), and FM would say "I don't have that, but here are X, Y, and Z with
"Puppy" or "Dog" in the title - will they do?"

One day I recited my list to FM, and he silently retreated into the
stacks. Upon his return, he had three of the four items, and was missing
the "March" for WW 5tet by John Barrows. He said "The Barrows March has
been out of print for some time. You'll have to borrow it from someone...

and not return it" (!!!) It was all done completely deadpan!

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David Niethamer
niethamer@-----.edu
dbnclar1@-----.com
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