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Music recorded in June 1889

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Music recorded in June 1889

In June 1889, the world was engulfed in the momentum of modernization. In the United States, the Great Seattle Fire prompted urban rebuilding, and in Oregon, the successful long-distance transmission of electricity ushered in the age of electricity. In Italy, pizza for Queen Margherita was invented (June 11th?), and a railroad accident in Ireland led to the enactment of safety legislation. In France, the Paris World's Fair continued, and the Eiffel Tower became a symbol of modern technology. Meanwhile, Van Gogh painted "Starry Night" in a sanatorium in the south of France, marking the beginning of a new era for both art and technology.

Confirmed recordings this month: 199

1 day (2 songs)

TitleArtist
Spring Song SchumannMax Franklin
Miss LankowMax Franklin

[Events on June 1, 1889]
Johnstown flood coverage
The Johnstown Flood, a major flood caused by a dam burst the previous day (May 31st), was widely reported both domestically and internationally, and the full extent of the damage was widely reported for the first time in newspapers dated June 1st, attracting international attention as "one of the worst disasters in American history at the end of the 19th century."

3rd (10 songs)

TitleArtist
The Puritan March MosesFrank Goede
Berceuse (Cradle Song) RenaudFrank Goede
Little Gretto Polka PiccoloFrank Goede
Honeymoon Waltz FluteFrank Goede
Selections “Falka” I [flute]Frank Goede
Selections “Falka” II [flute]Frank Goede
Galop “Won't You” BakerFrank Goede
Polka “La Cinquantaine”Frank Goede
Selection “Gypsy Baron”Frank Goede
Galop “Halter Polter”Frank Goede

[Events on June 3, 1889]
Practical application of long-distance power transmission
In the US state of Oregon, electricity was transmitted from the Willamette Falls hydroelectric plant to the city of Portland, approximately 22 km away, making long-distance power transmission practical enough to power street lights. This was recorded as the first successful full-scale power transmission in the US, and marked the beginning of an era of urban electrification and power infrastructure.

5th (11 songs)

TitleArtist
Graziosa Mignonette EilenbergHenry Giese
Polonaise From MignonHenry Giese
Gavotte By WaldowHenry Giese
May-Pole DanceHenry Giese
Waltz Blooming YouthHenry Giese
Kladeradatsch By FliegeHenry Giese
Melodie In F RubinsteinHenry Giese
Carlotta Spanish SongHenry Giese
Birds Festival WaltzHenry Giese
Polka “Toast” FahrbachHenry Giese
Polka Hast De GesehenHenry Giese

[Events on June 5, 1889]
Relief and Inspection After the Johnstown Flood
This was the day when the relief and investigation following the Johnstown Flood was institutionalized in one fell swoop. The American Red Cross, led by Clara Barton (1821–1912), established a model for full-scale disaster relief, and at the same time, the American Society of Civil Engineers began investigating the cause of the flood. This marked the emergence of the modern idea that "the failure of public infrastructure is a society-wide problem."

6th (11 songs)

TitleArtist
Musical Exchange MarchMr. Wehnert?
Mr. Rose?
Mr. Gast
St. Valentine's MarchMr. Wehnert?
Mr. Rose?
Mr. Gast
Waltz “Manuscripte” StraussMr. Wehnert?
Mr. Rose?
Mr. Gast
New Dance “Columbia”Mr. Wehnert?
Mr. Rose?
Mr. Gast
Spanish Serenade MétraMr. Wehnert?
Mr. Rose?
Mr. Gast
Polka Tric-Trac Waldteufel Piccn/a
Song SchuberthMr. Wehnert
Scherzo Kuhlau For Trio (3 flutes)Mr. Wehnert
Mr. Rose
Mr. Gast
Flute SoloMr. Wehnert
Adagio Beethoven 3 Flutes op.87Mr. Wehnert?
Mr. Rose?
Mr. Gast
Scherzo BeethovenMr. Wehnert?
Mr. Rose?
Mr. Gast

[Events of June 6, 1889]
Massive fire in downtown Seattle
A devastating fire broke out in downtown Seattle, Washington Territory, destroying approximately 25 city blocks. This incident marked a turning point for the city, which introduced fireproof buildings and a public water supply, and made a major shift toward modern city administration and infrastructure reconstruction.
Founding of "BFC Viktoria 1889"
The general sports club "BFC Viktoria 1889" was founded in Berlin, Germany, and became a pioneer of modern clubs that integrated soccer, rugby, etc. It later became one of the founding members of the German Football Association (DFB), laying the foundation for the development of German soccer.

7th (7 songs)

TitleArtist
March “Newburgh Centennial”Mr. Henry Giese
Selection “The Prophet”Mr. Henry Giese
March “Prophet”Mr. Henry Giese
Offenbach Select.Mr. Henry Giese
Polka “Rosebud”Mr. Henry Giese
Gavotte MignonetteMr. Henry Giese
Mazurka “Alpine Echoes”Mr. Henry Giese

[Events on June 7, 1889]
The Great Seattle Fire is put out
The flames of the Seattle Fire finally subsided, revealing the full extent of the damage that had destroyed approximately 25 blocks of the city center. From that day on, the city began full-scale reconstruction, and the rebuilding of a modern city centered on fireproof buildings and a public water supply began.

8th (6 songs)

TitleArtist
Long Notes (for Phon. Works)Mr. Theod. Hoch
Theme With Variat.Mr. Theod. Hoch
Une Perle De OceanMr. Theod. Hoch
Swiss SongMr. Theod. Hoch
The Mail In The ForestMr. Theod. Hoch
The Reed Bird (La Grive) PolkaMr. Theod. Hoch

[Events of June 8, 1889]
Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889)
The British poet Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889) died in Dublin. His innovative stressed rhythm and religious symbolism had a major influence on later modernist poetry, and his death is considered a turning point in the history of English poetry.

10th (11 songs)

TitleArtist
Non E Ver SonJohn Mitthauer
L'éclair (Call Me Thine Own)John Mitthauer
Blue Bells Of ScotlandJohn Mitthauer
Polka “Surf”John Mitthauer
Un BalJohn Mitthauer
Polka SurfJohn Mitthauer
Un BalJohn Mitthauer
Mass'a's In The Cold Cold GroundJohn Mitthauer
Tyrloean Air With VariatJohn Mitthauer
IrishJohn Mitthauer
Culver PolkaJohn Mitthauer

[Events of June 10, 1889]
Sessue Hayakawa (1886 or 1889–1973)
Japanese actor and film director Sessue Hayakawa (1886 or 1889–1973) was born. He achieved success as an international star in the early days of Hollywood and left his mark in film history as a pioneer of cross-cultural expression. Recent research has placed the 1886 theory as the most likely, but previous sources and film history timelines often list him as born in 1889, and there are multiple theories about his birth year.

11th (? song)

The entry for June 11th reads "Anton Seidl's Orchestra at Chickering Hall NY," indicating that the recording was made by Anton Seidl's (1850–1898) orchestra at Chickering Hall in New York. Although the detailed program is not listed, the fact that Seidl, a renowned Wagner conductor, had an orchestra cooperated with the Edison experiment makes this one of the earliest recordings of large-scale classical music.

[Events of June 11, 1889]
The legend of the birth of Pizza Margherita
There is a famous anecdote that Neapolitan craftsman Raffaele Esposito (date of birth and death unknown) presented a new pizza made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to Queen Margherita of Savoy (1851-1926), who visited Naples on June 11, 1889. This is said to be the origin of "Pizza Margherita," but existing evidence is limited to later documents, and its historical accuracy is debated among researchers, and it is considered a legend that needs to be re-examined.

12th (5 songs)

TitleArtist
Anniversary MarchMax Franklin
Waltz Sweet DreamsMax Franklin
AidaMax Franklin
Polka Mazurka “Woman’s Heart”Max Franklin
Gavotte “Heart Throbs”Max Franklin

[Events of June 12, 1889]
Armagh Rail Disaster occurs
The Armagh Rail Disaster occurred in County Armagh, England. A Sunday school excursion train ran out of control on a slope and crashed into the carriage ahead. Approximately 80 people were killed and over 260 were injured, which led to the enactment of the UK Railway Safety Act.

13th (8 songs)

TitleArtist
Russian Hymn By Princess KotocubyTheod. Hoch
Theme & Variat. From Anna BolenaTheod. Hoch
Ireland to EnglandTheod. Hoch
Nadjy Piano (solo)Theod. Hoch
Fantasie By WeberTheod. Hoch
Sweet Spirits Hear My PrayerTheod. Hoch
The Reed Bird (La Grive) PolkaTheod. Hoch
Little BanquetTheod. Hoch

[Events of June 13, 1889]
Adolphe Pégoud (1889–1915)
Adolphe Pégoud (1889–1915) was born in France. He was a French military pilot during World War I, a pioneer of acrobatic flying, and a renowned ace pilot.
Gao Qifeng (1889–1933)
China was home to Gao Qifeng (1889–1933), who later became involved in the innovative movement in modern Chinese painting known as the Lingnan School, and is highly regarded as a painter who attempted to combine traditional ink painting with modern realism.

17th (9 songs)

TitleArtist
Polka “A Delightful Time”Max Franklin
Waltz “Confidences” WaudteufelMax Franklin
Selection “Amorita”Max Franklin
Our Naval Officers MarchDuffy & Imground's 5th Regt. Band
Nadjy QuickstepDuffy & Imground's 5th Regt. Band
5th Regt. PromenadeDuffy & Imground's 5th Regt. Band
Song of the RosesDuffy & Imground's 5th Regt. Band
5th Regt. PromenadeDuffy & Imground's 5th Regt. Band
Washington Centennial ParadeDuffy & Imground's 5th Regt. Band

[Events of June 17, 1889]
Louisville Colonels strike ends
Players from the Louisville Colonels of the American Association returned from strike after negotiations with manager Billy Barnie (1858–1900). They played in a doubleheader that day, but suffered a crushing defeat, demonstrating that professional baseball at the time was already an industrialized business plagued by labor-management conflict.

18th (12 songs)

TitleArtist
Air By BergsonH. Giese
The Daily Question Miss Stewart
(Only 1 Machine Running)
H. Giese
Air By DonizettiH. Giese
Slightly On The Mash SchottischeH. Giese
Waltz “Pearl Of Pekin”H. Giese
Selections “Mikado”H. Giese
Selections “Mikado” IIH. Giese
March “Volunteer” MetraH. Giese
Polka “Wiener G’schichten”H. Giese
Holter Polter GalopH. Giese
March “Dorscht No. 2”H. Giese
Waltz “The Gipsy Baron”H. Giese

[Events of June 18, 1889]
Tamworth by-election
A by-election was held in Tamworth, New South Wales Colony, and Robert Henry Levien (1849–1938) was re-elected unopposed after a scandal.
・Patent for improved stroller
In America, inventor William H. Richardson is said to have patented an improved stroller (US Patent No. 405,600), marking the start of the modernization of living technology.

19th (9 songs)

TitleArtist
Gavotte “Circus Renz”Henry Giese
EsmeraldaHenry Giese
The Owl & Pussy CatHenry Giese
Gavotte SpephanieHenry Giese
[Gavotte] PrincessHenry Giese
Galop “Lustig Im Kreise”Henry Giese
[Galop] BanditenHenry Giese
ErnaniHenry Giese
Waltz “Special Reports”Henry Giese

[Events of June 19, 1889]
Unusual defensive record
American outfielder William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy (1862–1961) achieved an unprecedented defensive feat by throwing from center field to home plate to tag out three consecutive runners.

20th (9 songs)

TitleArtist
Waltz “Theorien”Max Franklin
Selection “Nadjy”Max Franklin
Polka “Mary” BialMax Franklin
La TraviataMax Franklin
“Beggar Student” SelectMax Franklin
Waltz “Lune De Miel”Max Franklin
Selection “Black Hussar”Max Franklin
Potpourri Kladderradatsch [??]Max Franklin
Mazurka “Fata Morgana”Max Franklin

[Events of June 20, 1889]
A performance of the play "A Doll's House"
The Novelty Theatre Company staged Henrik Ibsen's (1828–1906) play A Doll's House at the Theatre Royal in Brighton, England. The production was controversial as a social drama that explored themes of family, marriage, and female independence, sparking debates in the British theatre world over morality and censorship.

21st (10 songs)

TitleArtist
Fanfani MarchAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
Swedish Wedding MarchAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
Yeoman Of The GuardAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
A Sweet Dream WaltzAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
Polka “Hastdegesehen” FunkensteinAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
Selection “Pete”August Rubel
E. Zilm
EsmeraldaAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
For Fame $ Fortune GalopAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
Plantation EchoesAugust Rubel
E. Zilm
La GitanaAugust Rubel
E. Zilm

[Events of June 21, 1889]
Cause of Seattle fire revealed
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, a local newspaper, corrected its report on the cause of the Great Seattle Fire (June 6–7, 1889) by reporting that the fire started in Victor Clairmont's workshop.

22nd (11 songs)

TitleArtist
March “Greeting To America”Max Franklin
Waltz “The Lagoons”Max Franklin
Gavotte “Heart Throbs”Max Franklin
Selections “Erminie”Max Franklin
Polka “West End” ElliottMax Franklin
Waltz “Du & Du”Max Franklin
Potpourri Kladderradatsch (2)Max Franklin
Selections “The Marquis”Max Franklin
[Selections] “The Beggar Student”Max Franklin
The Shephard's PipeMax Franklin
Polka “Toast”Max Franklin

[Events of June 22, 1889]
Extending the losing streak
The Louisville Colonels of the American Association lost to the St. Louis Browns, extending their losing streak to 26. This game is known as one of the longest losing streaks in Major League Baseball history and is considered a symbol of the team's labor conflict and management collapse.

24th (12 songs)

TitleArtist
March “Monte Christo”Henry Giese
Theme With Variat. David IHenry Giese
Theme with Variat. David IIHenry Giese
Waltz “Abandon”Henry Giese
Exhilaration “Schottische”Henry Giese
Fantaisie “Reissiger” IHenry Giese
Theme With Viriat. “Reissiger” IIHenry Giese
Theme With Viriat. “Reissiger” IIIHenry Giese
Selection “Grand Duchesse”Henry Giese
Galop “Mazeppa”Henry Giese
[Galop] Aus Rand & BandHenry Giese
[Galop] “Wien Uber Alles”Henry Giese

[Events of June 24, 1889]
Marriage of Friedrich Leopold and Louise Sophie
On June 24, 1889, Prince Friedrich Leopold of Prussia (1865–1931) and Princess Louise Sophie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg (1866–1952) were married at Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin.
This marriage between two members of the royal family was seen as a symbolic event marking the "reconciliation" of the old conflict over the Schleswig-Holstein issue, and was a lavish ceremony attended by many members of European royalty, including German Emperor Wilhelm II.
Butch Cassidy's first bank robbery
On June 24, 1889, outlaw Butch Cassidy (1866–1908) and his accomplices robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride, Colorado, in broad daylight and escaped with over $20,000.
This incident is considered his first real bank robbery and the starting point of a series of criminal activities that would later become known as the "Wild Bunch," becoming a recurring theme in Western and outlaw history.

25th (11 songs)

TitleArtist
March Amazon. BachHG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke
Serenade, Horn & Flute. TitleE. Zilm
Henke
Dream Of The OceanHG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke
Song. Take Me To Thy Heart Again (Balfe)HG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke
Selection AidaHG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke
Quartette. RigolettoHG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke
Flute Solo RomanzeE. Zilm
[Flute Solo] PolkaE. Zilm
Polish Dance ScharwenkaHG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke
Erminie SelectionHG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke
Harlequin PolkaHG.
Rubel
E. Zilm
Henke

[Events of June 25, 1889]
Theodor Herzl's Marriage
On June 25, 1889, Theodor Herzl (1860–1904), who would later become a leader of the Zionist movement, married Julie Naschauer (1868–1907), the daughter of a wealthy Viennese merchant family, in Reichenau. Although the marriage itself was reportedly unhappy, it provided Herzl with financial support and social connections, providing the foundation for his later development of the Zionist movement.

26th (12 songs)

TitleArtist
March “22nd Reg. March”Henry Giese
??
Theme With Viriat. “Freischtz”Henry Giese
??
Song For Trombone (Mr. Groebler)Mr. Groebler
Waltz “Illusion” (Waudteufel)Henry Giese
??
Song For Trombone Am MeerHenry Giese
??
Polka “Harlequinade” FranklinHenry Giese
??
Overture “Orpheus”Henry Giese
??
Song “Evening Star” TannhauserHenry Giese
??
Selection “Nell Gwynne” IHenry Giese
??
Selection “Nell Gwynne” IIHenry Giese
??
Liliput Polka “Fahrbach”Henry Giese
??
Air With Variat KalliwodaHenry Giese
??

[Events of June 26, 1889]
John Danforth Herman Greenwood (1889–1975) born — British composer, known for his scores to films such as The Four Feathers.
Sergei Petrovich Yudin (1889–1963) born — Russian opera singer (tenor). He was active at the Bolshoi Theatre and made his mark in Russian vocal music history.

27th (11 songs)

TitleArtist
Song “Sleep Well Sweet Angel”Theod. Hoch
Serenade “Schuberth”Theod. Hoch
Singing bird “Fantaisie”Theod. Hoch
Song Fesca “Kehr Zurick”Theod. Hoch
Waltz “Levy Waltz”Theod. Hoch
”" " (Zuricke)Theod. Hoch
Song “My Angel Art Thou”Theod. Hoch
Polka “Only For You”Theod. Hoch
Song “The Enthusiast” (Polish) MoniuszkoTheod. Hoch
Remembrance Of PragueTheod. Hoch
Calls InternationalTheod. Hoch

[Events of June 27, 1889]
Carlotta Patti (1835–1889) — Italian soprano. Died June 27, 1889, Paris. Known for her wide vocal range, she was the daughter of the great singer Adelina Patti.
Whitney Eugene Thayer (1838–1889) — American organist and composer. He died June 27, 1889, in Burlington, Vermont. He left a mark on early American brass organ culture.
Moroni Olsen (1889–1954) — American actor. Born June 27, 1889 in Ogden, Utah. He had a long career on stage and in film, and is known for voicing the Mirror Fairy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

28th (12 songs)

TitleArtist
Love, Ah With Thee SongTheod. Hoch
Hussars De La Garde PolkaTheod. Hoch
Venice CarnivalTheod. Hoch
Waltz “White Rose”Theod. Hoch
Trumpeter's Mountain SongTheod. Hoch
Russian Song “Der Rothe Sarafan & Die Schone Minka”Theod. Hoch
The Minstrel Boy (Irish Song)Theod. Hoch
Remembrance Of PragueTheod. Hoch
The Rat-Charmere NeuendorffTheod. Hoch
The Little Fisher MaidenTheod. Hoch
Bacchus Chair HochTheod. Hoch
Y Czar Song From LortzingTheod. Hoch

[Events of June 28, 1889]
- An annular solar eclipse (Annular Solar Eclipse of June 28, 1889) occurred just after the moon passed its apogee and was observed from southern to eastern Africa.
This event had a magnitude of 0.9471, making it a record-breaking solar eclipse that falls into NASA's Saros 125 cycle.

29th (10 songs)

TitleArtist
Czar Song From LortzingTheod. Hoch
Polka “La Grieve”Theod. Hoch
The Heart Bowed Down BalfeTheod. Hoch
Polka “Only For You”Theod. Hoch
Song “How Fair Art Thou”Theod. Hoch
Italian Song “Fantaisie”Theod. Hoch
Love's Dream With Var.
-” “- Then You'll Remember
Theod. Hoch
Think Of Me Song By FescaTheod. Hoch
Waltz NilssonTheod. Hoch
Song “Mascotte”Theod. Hoch

[Events of June 29, 1889]
The First Inter-Parliamentary Conference was held in Paris, France, which later evolved into the Inter-Parliamentary Union and laid the foundation for international arbitration and peaceful diplomacy.

Summary of information on recordings made in June 1889

The recording activities of June 1889 are recorded in relatively detailed, dated records in the First Book of Phonograph Records, revealing a continuous flow from test recordings to shipment for the Paris World's Fair and preparations for the European tour. Here, we focus on recording, technology, and corporate trends that are directly mentioned in June from primary sources such as this book, and select them in the context of recording history.

Wangemann's trip to Europe and preparations for the European recording tour

In mid-June 1889, Edison received reports that his improved phonograph exhibit at the Paris World's Fair was not working properly, so Edison dispatched Wangemann, who set off for Europe on the steamship La Bourgogne on June 15. This trip was extended beyond the initial mechanical adjustments and became the "prelude" to what would later develop into a European recording tour that included recordings of Bismarck and Johannes Brahms.

Recording in June and full-scale management of cylinder grades A/B/C

The Paris shipping record for June 13th clearly states that of the 654 cylinders, 74% were grade A, 23% B, and 3% C, demonstrating a clear system of grading based on sound quality. A page from late June repeatedly tallies the number of A/B discs and totals for each session, suggesting the beginnings of master selection, which would later lead to a two-tiered product strategy of "high-end" and "budget" discs.

1888-89: The impact on imaging technology: Dixon and the development of the Kinetograph

Between 1888 and 1889, Edison proposed a concept for "a device that would do for the eye what the phonograph is for the ear," and entrusted his assistant William Kennedy Laurie Dickson (1860–1935) with the development of the kinetograph (a filming device) and the kinetoscope (a peephole projector). By June, the Edison Laboratory was already making progress in mass-producing and grading cylinder recordings, and the same laboratory was conducting experiments with continuous photography, a key technological trend in recording that would later lead to the development of audiovisual media such as the Kinetophone.