Music recorded in 1889
The year 1889 marked a turning point in the establishment of modern civilization. In Japan, the Meiji Constitution was promulgated in February, marking the beginning of a modern state system under a constitutional monarchy. France hosted the Paris World's Fair, and the Eiffel Tower was completed, becoming a symbol of modern architecture and technology. In the United States, major disasters such as the Johnstown Flood and the Seattle Fire prompted urban reconstruction, while new infrastructure technologies such as electricity and transportation began to be put into practical use. In Europe, socialist movements and labor disputes spread, transforming the relationship between politics and civil society. In the arts, Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) painted "Starry Night," naturalist literature and symbolist poetry developed, and in music, recording technology entered the commercial stage. It was a year in which both the arts and sciences reflected modern consciousness.
Identified recordings from this year: 1,607
Possibly recorded around 1889 (year and date uncertain)
Here, primary sources and research papers state that the work was created around 1888–1889, 1889–1890, or around 1890.Possibly recorded in 1889The audio sources are compiled here for reference. Because there are various theories about the year and recording date, they are not included in the monthly pages or the annual number of songs (1,503 songs), but are treated separately as "candidates for around 1889."
5 songs possibly recorded in 1889
Edison Exhibition Recordings (Three Demonstration Cylinders, 1888–1889)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Around the World on the Phonograph | n/a |
| The Pattison Waltz | n/a |
| Fifth Regiment March | n/a |
The three demonstration cylinders that Edison produced to showcase his improved phonograph, "Around the World on the Phonograph," "The Pattison Waltz," and "Fifth Regiment March," are collectively listed as "Edison exhibition recordings" in the Library of Congress, with recording dates of 1888–1889. However, since no primary sources remain for the individual recording dates, the MOPM lists them as "Recording date: circa 1888–1889 (possibly 1889)" as reference information separate from the confirmed years.
Hungarian Melody / Emanuel Mohr (Late 1889, estimated date)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Hungarian Melody | Emánuel Moór |
The "Hungarian Melody" recorded by Theodor Edward Wangemann (1855–1906) during his European tour is described by the U.S. National Park Service as a piano performance by Emánuel Moór (1863–1931), and is estimated to have been recorded "sometime between September and December 1889." Because the exact date cannot be determined from primary sources, MOPM includes the recording year in 1889, but classifies it separately as "Recorded in 1889 (estimated September–December)."
Untitled Violin & Piano Recording (Krahmer / Schmalfuß?)
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| n/a | Krahmer Schmalfuß? |
One of Wangemann's European recordings, Untitled Violin and Piano, is listed in National Park Service documents as "recorded on an unknown date (possibly September 13, 1889), possibly at the Siemens & Halske factory in Berlin." Because the piece's title, performer, and recording date are all only estimates, MOPM assigns the recording year to around 1889 and classifies it separately as "sound sources possibly recorded around 1889."
The Fifth Regiment March (Issler's Orchestra)
"The Fifth Regiment March" by Issler's Orchestra is a march medley that is said to have been recorded in the West Orange area by Walter H. Miller of the Edison Laboratory. The Edison National Historical Park documents list the recording date as "c. March 1889," but the exact date is unclear. While it is almost certain to have been recorded in 1889, it is also an Exhibition Recording and is often associated with the appearance of the "Perfected Phonograph" in 1888, so it seems natural to group it together as a borderline recording around 1888.
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| The Fifth Regiment March | Issler's Orchestra |
Gruo's "phonogramic album" (c. 1888–1891)
The Gruaud "phonogramic album" (c. 1888–1891) is a collective term used to refer to the earliest wax cylinder recordings made by George Edward Gouraud (1842–1912) in London and other parts of Europe, as well as his concept of an album compiling "the voices of the world's greatest men." MOPM has organized related recordings from around 1888–1891 under this framework, and has posted a list of the recordings and background information on a dedicated page.
Ruben Collection
The Ruben Collection (Ruben-samlingen) is a collection of Denmark's earliest wax cylinder recordings, produced in Copenhagen by Gottfried Moses Ruben (1837–1897) between 1889 and the mid-1890s. MOPM has collectively organized the wax cylinder recordings made between 1889 and the mid-1890s as the "Ruben Collection," and has posted a list of the recordings on a dedicated page.
