Music recorded in June 1895
In East Asia, following the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Japan advanced its occupation of Taiwan, establishing a new colonial reality through its advance into Taipei. In Europe, Wilhelm II (1859–1941) inaugurated the Kiel Canal on June 20, 1895, renewing naval power and logistical links. The ceremony was filmed by Birt Acres (1854–1918), further strengthening the circulation of filmed copies of events. In Africa, the Second Madagascar expedition followed, with Rainilaiarivony (1828–1896) making a stand at Tsarasaotra on June 29, 1895.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in June 1895
June 1895 is the month for which the dates of the first recorded spoken and instrumental music on 7-inch single-sided records by the Berliner Gramophone Company, which was involved with Emile Berliner (1851–1929), are concretely recorded. At the same time, the existence of lists by the United States Gramophone Company is also documented, indicating that disc records were not just sound recordings, but also began to be equipped with a "numbering system and product catalog" for the purposes of distribution.
Berliner's June 19 recording: Narrated by George Graham
Berliner Gramophone Company matrix number 626 lists "Auctioneer" by George Graham (date of birth and death unknown) as having an initial recording date of June 19, 1895. Matrix number 628 lists "The Story of a Tramp" on the same date, but the location of the recording is uncertain: Washington, District of Columbia, New York, or Philadelphia.
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/refer/2000148141
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/refer/2000148143
Berliner's June 28th recording: March and Gallop instrumental recording
The list of instrumental pieces such as "Carillon gallop" and "Honeymoon march" listed as being first recorded on a 7-inch single-sided record on June 28, 1895. Furthermore, the list also lists a recording of "Directorate march" on the same date, a work by John Philip Sousa (1854–1932), revealing the process by which march repertoire became the primary "format" for disc records.
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/objects/refer/228011
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/objects/refer/228012
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/mastertalent/detail/102569/Sousa_John_Philip
The list dated June 10, 1895 shows the progress of "cataloging"
The "Berliner User's Guide [excerpts]" lists the United States Gramophone Company's "Supplementary List of Records" dated June 10, 1895. This shows how recordings were organized by number and classification, and how they were updated as an addendum to existing catalogs, marking June 1895 as the time when "recordings" and "product catalogs" began to run side by side.
