Music recorded in January 1889
January 1889 was a month marked by a series of events that would have a major impact on both astronomy and information technology. For example, a total solar eclipse was observed from western North America to central Canada on January 1st, and on the 8th, Herman Hollerith (1860–1929) obtained a U.S. patent for a punched card tabulating machine.
In terms of thought and politics, the mental collapse of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) in Turin effectively put an end to his creative activities, and on the 30th the double suicide of Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf von Österreich (1858–1889) and Mary Vetsera (1871–1889) (the Mayerling affair) shocked European society, raising the issue of the succession to the House of Habsburg.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Can the "date unknown, month confirmed" music recording from January 1889 be confirmed?
From the extent of checking the major archives and research materials that are publicly available, it is clear that the recording met the conditions of "recorded in January 1889 (= the month is confirmed)" but "the date (day) is unknown," andYou can even identify the song titleNo musical recording has been found at this time. In other words, there is insufficient evidence (primary information linking the song title to the month) within the scope of public disclosure to declare it as a "specific work recorded in January 1889."
Still, the reason why it's highly likely that music was recorded in January
However, we can confirm from contemporary writings that "music cylinders" involving Theo Wangemann (Adelbert Theodor Edward Wangemann, 1855–1906) were already in circulation as early as January 1889, and that complaints were made about the inappropriateness of the short phrases (so-called closing figures) attached to the opera selections. This strongly suggests the possibility that music recordings were made as early as January 1889, but it is not possible to determine from publicly available information what specific "opera pieces" these were, making it difficult to definitively determine that a recording was made in January 1889 on a song-by-song basis.
Why is it difficult to determine the song title?
The background to this is that Wangemann is said to have opened a systematic recording ledger in May 1889, and recordings made before that (including January 1889) were likely produced on a trial and piecemeal basis in response to demand. As a result, it is difficult to preserve "metadata that can be determined down to the month" or "clues that link song titles to recording dates" for future generations, and there is a structural problem in that it is difficult to present "dateless recordings with determined song titles" limited to January 1889 using only publicly available contemporary materials.
- https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/photosmultimedia/very-early-recorded-sound.htm
- https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2017/10/whats-in-a-whistle-the-curious-beginnings-of-an-ending-trope
- https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/photosmultimedia/theo-wangemann-biography.htm
Summary of information on recordings made in January 1889
Many of the recording events in January 1889 are unclear in terms of the actual recording dates, and are often lumped together as "late 1888 to early 1889." Here, we've selected primary sources that directly mention January, or recording, technology, and corporate trends that are said to date to "early 1889," in the context of recording history.
Incorporation of Columbia Phonograph Company
In January 1889, the Columbia Phonograph Company was incorporated in Washington, D.C., and officially launched as the Washington-area agent for the North American Phonograph Company. Founder Edward D. Easton (1856–1915) initially focused on leasing dictation phonographs and wax cylinders, but the company would later evolve into Columbia Records, a major entertainment recording label.
North American Phonograph's branch network and recording demand
According to a Library of Congress overview, by early 1889, the North American Phonograph Company had established approximately 30 regional companies across the United States. By January, these companies were seeking recordings not only for business purposes but also for exhibition and entertainment purposes, forcing Edison Phonograph Works to expand its supply of music cylinders.
Edison Orange Factory Preparations
The January 11, 1889 edition of the Australian newspaper Euroa Advertiser reported that Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931) was building a new factory and laboratory in Orange, New Jersey, employing 400 to 500 people in preparation for mass production of phonographs. The article also mentioned that Edison himself called the phonograph "the greatest invention of his life," and spoke of plans to soon lease large quantities of machines and recording wax cylinders around the world, indicating that the large-scale supply of recording media was already in sight as early as January.
Gladstone speech recording project
An article titled "Edison's Phonograph" in the Tasmanian newspaper, the Launceston Examiner, dated January 12, 1889, reported that Edison had prepared a special phonograph to record a speech by William Ewart Gladstone (1809–1898). While it is not possible to confirm whether any recordings were actually made, this story shows that as early as January, recording was recognized as a new medium for recording and preserving important speeches by politicians.
Wangeman's "Musical Trademark" Complaint
In a letter dated January 1889, one promoter complained about Adelbert Theodor Edward Wangemann (1855–1906), who was in charge of music recording at the Edison Laboratory, saying, "Every cylinder Wangemann makes has a strange 'musical trademark' at the end." This indicates that a large number of musical wax cylinders for exhibitions had already been produced between the end of 1888 and the beginning of 1889, and that by January the format had become so well established that not only the content of the performance but even the "way of ending the recording" was being discussed.
"Edison Exhibition Recording" for exhibition
Between approximately October 1888 (estimated) and March 1889, Edison Exhibition Recordings were made at the Edison Laboratory with the intention of being used for exhibitions and demonstrations. Surviving examples include "Around the World on the Phonograph" narrated by Edison (approximately October 1888), "The Pattison Waltz" sung by Effie Stewart (dates of birth and death unknown) (February 25, 1889), and "Fifth Regiment March" performed by Issler's Orchestra (approximately March 1889).
Prototype recording for the Edison Talking Doll
The National Park Service's "Hickory, dickory, dock" metal cylinder has been described as "probably recorded in West Orange, New Jersey, early 1889." It is a prototype produced as part of Edison's "talking doll" project, indicating that as of January, recording technology was being experimented with not only for entertainment and demonstration purposes, but also as a microrecording device incorporated into toys.
Changes in wax cylinder composition and the shift to "white wax"
The wax cylinders used for the recordings in the exhibition were called "white wax" cylinders at the time, but archival documents indicate that they were actually made of yellow paraffin (a mixture of ceresin, beeswax, and stearic wax). These materials were gradually replaced by brown metallic soap composite wax in the 1890s, which affected the preservation quality and sound quality.
"The Pattison Waltz" and a recording program from January 1889
The earliest surviving example with a clear recording date is the wax cylinder of "The Pattison Waltz," which begins with an announcement that it was recorded in Orange, New Jersey, February 25, 1889, and features Effie Stewart (birth and death years unknown) singing, with Wangemann providing the accompaniment and announcement. Although this recording was made in February, the content and recording style are consistent with the exhibition set mentioned above, and it can be seen as an example of the "music + announcement" format for exhibition recordings, which was already being established in January 1889, coming to fruition as a concrete work of art.
