In an era when even the most humble mobile device boasts an MP3 player capable of accessing global music libraries, the time when a piano was the equivalent of the home stereo seems very distant indeed.During the tenure of Governor Lord Harris (1846-53), a public primary education system known as the Ward Schools was introduced. A generation later, in the 1890s and early 1900s, the positive effects of this progressive action began to emerge in the establishment of an educated, coloured middle-class which was rooted firmly in Belmont and later on, in Woodbrook, when that former sugar plantation was laid out for housing.The new middle class prided itself on the emulation of the graces and lifestyle of the ruling elite in a modest way. A great deal of the family's efforts would be concentrated on the education of their boys for a clerical vocation, or else, at great sacrifice, studies in medicine and law. For the girls, acquisition of the trappings of ladyship were of utmost importance and aside from instruction in academic subjects, needlework and music were greatly emphasised as being the hallmarks of a fine young lady capable of making a good marriage.
In the elegant yet small gingerbread suburban homes, the lifestyle of the rulers also reigned. The pride of place would be given to a polished standing piano and accompanying stool. Anybody who remembers a drawing-room of old would recall the highly polished instrument standing in a corner, draped in lace and sporting framed photographs of loved ones, and possibly a small bust of Queen Victoria.In the upper classes, too, the family piano was a centrepiece of the house. PET O'Connor (1899-1986), a member of the white elite, remembers when New Year's Day (1908) at the palatial home of his grandfather (Gaston de Gannes), La Chance in Arima, was characterised by a lavish luncheon followed by the young ladies' recital of "the latest pieces of music."The families who aspired to class elevation would put themselves in debt to acquire a piano and underwent further expense to pay for music classes for their daughters (and to a lesser extent, sons). In this period, there were several good music tutors and small private schools (such as the one run by the Misses Cadiz) that offered tuition. Additionally, there were firms like the furniture store of Monceaux which offered pianos which were delivered in a specialised horsedrawn van that minimised potential damage to the instruments.
The best known name in pianos, however, was by far H Strong's Piano Warehouse.It was founded in 1851 by an Englishman, Harold Strong, who was an accomplished concert pianist and tuner, and who, not being able to thrive in London, came out to Trinidad in order to establish his signature store. The cholera epidemic of 1854 was a severe blow to his enterprise, since the stricken population had other matters to engage their attention. Nevertheless, there remained a moderate demand for pianos which kept Strong going.Aside from pianos, the firm sold almost every kind of musical instrument and was the agent for John Brinsmead and Sons, Carol Otto, as well as the unique Victrola talking-machine, with its wooden turntable and signature brass speaker horn. Unusual clockwork and tintype toys were sold too. Mr Strong died in 1904 and the business went through several ownership changes, finally landing in 1918 in the hands of Albert Victor Stollmeyer, a cocoa proprietor and one of the richest men in the island.
After Strong's death, pianos remained a primary concern, but the premises were moved from Tragarete Road (then known as St James Street) to more spacious environs on 21 Frederick Street to accommodate stationery, Swift bicycles, Avon car tyres, photography equipment, furniture and even groceries.In the early days, sheet music was a big seller, being musical notations to popular songs. I suppose the equivalent of this would be iTunes today. A sheet of music was usually between ten cents and a half-dollar and in the hands of a good pianist, took little time to master.The firm often bragged of its status as tuner to Sir F Broome, who was governor of the colony from 1891-97 and was known as a talented musician. One of the more notable employees was JW Mahabirsingh, a converted Indian, who was for several years the in-house tuner and piano expert until he branched out in 1910 to operate under his own aegis.Strong's piano warehouse closed in the 1950s, bringing an end to an era.