Music recorded in May 1889
In May 1889, the world was in the midst of the formation of modern nations and technological innovation. In Japan, a constitutional system was established after the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution, and the modernization of political systems and industry progressed. In France, the Paris World's Fair opened, and the Eiffel Tower was opened to the public, becoming a symbol of modern architecture. In the field of music, the Edison Company demonstrated and exhibited wax cylinder recordings at the Paris World's Fair, widely introducing the culture of "recording and playing" sound to the international community.
Confirmed recordings this month: 79
2 days (5 songs)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Brahms: Tragic Overture, Op.81 | Hans von Bülow |
| Haydn: Symphony No.102 in B-flat major, Hob.I:102 | Hans von Bülow |
| Meyerbeer: Overture to Struensée | Hans von Bülow |
| Beethoven: Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, Op.55 (Eroica) | Hans von Bülow |
| Wagner: Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg | Hans von Bülow |
[Events of May 2, 1889]
・Hans von Bülow's New York Concerts and Early Recordings
Pianist and conductor Hans von Bülow (1830–1894) gave a concert with an orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on May 2, 1889. According to the chronology on the research site, fragmentary recordings made on an Edison phonograph linked to this performance in the United States existed from the same period, placing it among the earliest examples of recordings by a classical musician.
・Earliest references to cylinder recordings of popular songs
According to the timeline in the talking machine publication Phonographia, a document dated May 2, 1889, is the earliest known reference to "phonograph cylinders onto which professional singers recorded the popular songs of the day." It is cited as an example of the shift in use from the traditional recording of demos to commercial recording of popular songs.
24th (14 songs)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Gilmore's 22nd Regiment March (piccolo) | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Gilmore's 22nd Regiment March (piccolo) | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| The Warbler (piccolo, solo) | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| The Warbler (piccolo, solo) | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Selection Marquis (I) flute | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Selection Marquis (II) flute | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Waltz “Abandon” | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| [Waltz] La Source | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Polish Dance Scharwenka | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Lilliput Polka Picc. | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Lilliput Polka Picc. | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| College Songs Lanciers | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| College Songs Lanciers | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
| Birds Festival Waltz | Frank Goede Original name: Mr. F. Goede |
[Events of May 24, 1889]
・Unusual defensive record
Pittsburgh Alleghenies third baseman Bill Kuehne (1858–1921) set the unprecedented record of completing 13 defensive opportunities without committing an error in a single game.
25th (14 songs)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| New Vienna Waltz (I) | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| New Vienna Waltz (II) | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Polonaise by Spies | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Polonaise by Spies | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Patrol Comic | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Oberlandler (tyrolean airs) by Wangemann | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Dreams on the ocean | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Offenbachinana | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Overture, Fra Diavolo | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| The Esprit Francais Polka | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| The Esprit Francais Polka | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Waltz “Abandon” | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Arm In Arm Polka Mazurka | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
| Enter the Gillet | Alle Amrhein (Alf. Amrhein) |
[Events of May 25, 1889]
・Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky (1889–1972)
Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky (1889–1972) was born in Kiev, Russia. He would later be called the father of the practical helicopter and brought about decisive innovations in the history of aviation technology.
28th (14 songs)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Amusement Polka | John Mitthauer |
| Amusement Polka | John Mitthauer |
| The Cruiskeen Lawn | John Mitthauer |
| Within a Mile of Edinboro | John Mitthauer |
| Washington Guard Polka | John Mitthauer |
| Washington Guard Polka | John Mitthauer |
| King's Air Lohengrin | John Mitthauer |
| King's Air Lohengrin | John Mitthauer |
| Venice Carnival | John Mitthauer |
| Lizzie Polka | John Mitthauer |
| Once Again Song | John Mitthauer |
| Rigoletto | John Mitthauer |
| Army Calls | John Mitthauer |
| Long Notes | John Mitthauer |
[Events of May 28, 1889]
・Michelin founded
The founding of Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, France, marks a step towards modernizing transport infrastructure, focusing on the tire and rubber industry.
29th (16 songs)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Volunteer March | Henry Giese C. Agu. Goepel John Helleberg |
| Volunteer March | Henry Giese C. Agu. Goepel John Helleberg |
| Waltz Love's Treasures | Henry Giese C. Agu. Goepel |
| Serenade Title | John Helleberg C. Agu. Goepel |
| Black Hussar Select | Henry Giese C. Agu. Goepel |
| Black Hussar Select | Henry Giese C. Agu. Goepel |
| Sant Jago Spanish Waltz | Henry Giese C. Agu. Goepel |
| Theme & Variat. | Faggotti C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| Loin Du Bal | Faggotti C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| Loin Du Bal | Faggotti C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| Faust Select | Faggotti C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| Faust Select | Faggotti C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| University Lanciers | Faggotti C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| University Lanciers 1st & 2nd & 5th / 3rd & 4th & 5th | John Helleberg C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| Ida Polka | John Helleberg C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
| Hash Galop | John Helleberg C. Agu. Goepel Henry Giese |
[Events of May 29, 1889]
・Premiere of the play The People of Hemsöborna (1887)
Swedish playwright August Strindberg's (1849–1912) play Hemsöborna (1887) premiered in Copenhagen, marking the beginning of the development of Nordic naturalist literature into the performing arts.
・Opening of "Texas Spring Palace"
In Fort Worth, Texas, USA, the Texas Spring Palace, a regional exposition aimed at promoting agriculture and immigration, opened and attracted attention as a symbolic event for the development of the West and industrial growth.
31st (16 songs)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Dorscht March Wiegand | Henry Giese |
| Carmen Selection | Henry Giese |
| Carmen Selection | Henry Giese |
| Slightly On The Mash Schottische | Henry Giese |
| Slightly On The Mash Schottische | Henry Giese |
| Theme with variat. Freischutz Clar Solo | Henry Giese |
| Air From Barbiero Di Sevilla | Henry Giese |
| Brass Monkey (Razzle Dazzle) Lanciers | Henry Giese |
| Brass Monkey (Razzle Dazzle) Lanciers | Henry Giese |
| Confidences Waltz Waldteufel | Henry Giese |
| Pearl Of Pekin Waltzes | Henry Giese |
| Pearl Of Pekin Waltzes | Henry Giese |
| La Paloma | Henry Giese |
| Spring Song | Henry Giese |
| Selection “Pete” | Henry Giese |
| Galop “Leichtes Blut” Strauss | Henry Giese |
[Events that occurred on May 31, 1889]
・The Johnstown Flood
The South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA, collapsed, causing the Johnstown Flood, a major disaster that killed more than 2,200 people.
Summary of information on recordings made in May 1889
The recording events of May 1889 are considered a key turning point, marking the full-scale systematization of music recording at the Edison Laboratory and the subsequent development of the commercial recording industry. This exhibition focuses on recording sessions with May dates clearly indicated in primary sources, as well as the technical and business developments closely linked to them, in the context of recording history.
The First Book of Phonograph Records, a recording book from the Edison Laboratory, is launched.
The opening page of the Edison Laboratory recording ledger, "The First Book of Phonograph Records," is inscribed "Edison Laboratory / A. Theo. E. Wangemann / Musical Cylinder Account," and lists its first date as May 24, 1889. This ledger, compiled by recording engineer Adelbert Theodor Edward Wangemann (1855–1906), is one of the most important known primary sources for systematically recording dated wax cylinder recordings made between 1889 and 1890.
Recorded programs and "Commercial Music Cylinder" sales begin in late May
Some researchers believe that Wangemann's recording ledger, which he began keeping in May, coincides with the North American Phonograph Company's official introduction of music cylinders into its product line. The consecutive sessions at Edison Labs from May 24 to 31 are considered both individual experimental recordings and the creation of the earliest repertoire of "commercial music cylinders" intended to be cataloged and sold.
North American Phonograph Co “Price List of Supplies No. 1” (1889-05-28)
Dated May 28, 1889, the North American Phonograph Company printed a "Price List of Supplies," indicating the stage at which sales and services such as batteries and cylinder recordings were first organized as "items." Music phonograms were also presented as "assorted boxes of 6 or 12," suggesting that this was a distribution format prior to ordering by song title.
- https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8962AAG
- https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/photosmultimedia/theo-wangemann-biography.htm
- https://griffonagedotcom.wordpress.com/2020/09/12/nathaniel-smith-and-the-song-that-reached-my-heart/
