Music recorded in July 1894
July 1894 was a month in which the simultaneous tensions between industrialization and imperialism became visible. In the United States, the Pullman Strike disrupted rail transport nationwide, and the introduction of federal troops into Chicago on July 4, 1894, intensified the conflict. In the Pacific, the Republic of Hawaii was established on July 4, 1894, establishing a fait accompli for the transition of government. In Europe, the Paris-Rouen "chariot race" (July 22, 1894), organized by Le Petit Journal, symbolized the era of mechanized transportation. In East Asia, military conflicts, including the Battle of Pungdo (July 25, 1894), led to the Sino-Japanese War.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in July 1894
The recording culture of July 1894 marks a time when, while wax cylinders continued to be the primary medium for entertainment, the commercialization of discs was becoming a reality. The United States Gramophone Company, founded by Emile Berliner (1851–1929), is known to have introduced disc records to the market in 1894, signaling the beginning of competition among recording media other than the cylinder alone. However, comprehensive verification of individual recordings (specific titles/specific recorders) that can be dated down to the month of July 1894 is not available in general overview materials.
The United States Gramophone Company's first disc record (1894)
The year 1894 is often described as the year the United States Gramophone Company introduced disc records to the market, marking the beginning of the industrialization of discs as "easily replicable recording media." As of July 1894, this movement still existed as a new commercial model running parallel to the "cylinder-centered recording culture."
The recreational use of cylinder recordings and the establishment of the early recording industry (early 1890s)
In the early 1890s, the focus shifted from business use to entertainment, and the practice of playing pre-recorded wax cylinders in homes and performance venues became widespread. July 1894 was a time when, while cylinders were still the mainstream, the commercialization of discs was occurring at the same time, and the competitive conditions for "which medium to record and sell" were beginning to be established.
- https://www.loc.gov/collections/emile-berliner/articles-and-essays/gramophone/
- https://www.loc.gov/collections/edison-company-motion-pictures-and-sound-recordings/articles-and-essays/history-of-edison-sound-recordings/history-of-the-cylinder-phonograph/
