Music recorded in October 1890
October 1890 was a month when industrialization, environmental conservation, and internationalization all intersected on the same calendar. Yosemite National Park was established in the United States on October 1, 1890, and the efforts of John Muir (1838–1914) and others spread the new idea of the state protecting its landscapes and resources. On the same day, the McKinley Tariff of 1890 was enacted. The protective tariffs initiated by William McKinley (1843–1901) became an industrial policy under the Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901) administration, which had a profound impact on domestic and international trade. On October 11, 1890, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded, and the organization of genealogy and memory by Mary Smith Lockwood (1831–1922) and others helped shape modern patriotic civic culture. Furthermore, on October 14, 1890, the International Convention concerning the Carriage of Goods by Rail was adopted, furthering efforts to establish common rules for markets connected by rail. The atmosphere of this month, where protection and openness, nature and industry, local memory and international standardization collided, would later resonate with the foundations for the widespread distribution of recordings and entertainment products.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in October 1890
Existing materials related to recordings made in October 1890 convey the outline of recording activities through the "type of recording" and "number of recordings" rather than individual song titles, as well as supplier circulars (catalogs). Business memos from Thomas Alva Edison's (1847–1931) laboratory record the number of recordings for clarinet, brass quartet, xylophone, and band by client and date, but the song titles are not available. Furthermore, a Columbia Phonograph Company circular dated October 1, 1890, lists United States Marine Band cylinders by genre and number of recordings, allowing us to understand the composition of recordings in circulation at the time based on "category and quantity" rather than guesswork. However, information on individual songs with specific recording and release dates is limited within this range of materials.
"Type" and "number" as seen in the recording order memo from October 1890
As a first clue regarding the recordings made in October 1890, The First Book of Phonograph Records lists the type of recording (such as "clarinet," "brass quartet," "xylophone," and "band") and the number of recordings by client (person) along with the date. This range of information is more indicative of the type and quantity of recordings required at the time than the titles of individual pieces, and the titles of the pieces cannot be confirmed within the document.
Clarinet demand on October 9, 1890 (number of orders by customer)
The entry for October 9, 1890, in "The First Book of Phonograph Records" indicates that recordings of various clarinet types were arranged for multiple clients on the same day: ten clarinets for Shultzburger (years of birth and death unknown) and eight clarinets for Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931). Again, the titles of the pieces are not given.
Reproduction clarinet cylinders dated October 9, 1890 (quantity, defective units, and invoice)
Similarly, "The First Book of Phonograph Records" contains an entry for Wm Tuson (date of birth and death unknown) for "October 9, 1890," which lists "48 clarinet cylinders for reproduction" for clarinets with piano, a charge of 105, and a note for "9 incomplete cylinders." This is a fragmentary document that shows that recordings were incorporated into the distribution and duplication process, and that quality control and charges were handled as specific figures (although the song titles cannot be confirmed from the document).
Mixed Order of October 19, 1890 (Brass Quartet/Clarinet/Xylophone/Band)
The First Book of Phonograph Records, dated October 19, 1890, lists a total of six items ordered for Mr. Hiese (date of birth and death unknown), including a combination of two brass quartets, one clarinet, two xylophones, and one band. The same day also lists six clarinets for Auchincloss (date of birth and death unknown), indicating that in mid-October there was both a demand for clarinets and an order for multiple items (although the titles of the pieces cannot be confirmed from the documents).
Note dated 20 October 1890 (Galvanometer Room) and a clue to the recording location
The entry for October 20, 1890, includes a note for "galvanometer room" for Thompson (date of birth and death unknown), recording six brass quartets. Furthermore, the entry for "AO Tate House" can be seen in the same order, and at least according to the records, the names of rooms within the laboratory and private homes appear in the recording-related notes (although from this alone it is not possible to determine the actual recording locations or operational details).
The United States Marine Corps Band's provision system as seen in the October 1, 1890 circular (organized by category)
"The Recordings of the Columbia Phonograph Company 1889-1896" indicates the existence of a "United States Marine Band Circular" dated October 1, 1890. This circular organizes the repertoire into categories such as "March," "Waltz," "Polka," "Gallop," "York," and "Miscellaneous," and states that orders should be made by category, number, and name. Rather than indicating the dates of individual recordings, this document presents the repertoire available (offered) at the time, grouped by genre.
Recordings and releases of musical pieces with specific dates (October 1890)
October 1, 1890: Columbia Phonograph Company catalog of the United States Marine Band, listing pieces by category (March, Waltz, Polka, Gallop, York, Miscellaneous).
