Music recorded in December 1896
December 1896 was a month of simultaneous developments in archaeology, culture, urban infrastructure, and the political situation under colonial rule. In Lumbini, Nepal, Alois Anton Führer (1853–1930) and Khadga Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana (1861–1921) were involved in the discovery of an inscription on the Ashoka Pillar, marking a major milestone in the history of research into the identification of the birthplace of Gautama Buddha (dates of birth and death unknown). In Europe, Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) passed away on December 10, solidifying the context of his legacy that would later lead to the establishment of the Nobel Prize. On the same day, December 10th, Alfred Jarry's (1873–1907) stage work Ubu Roi was performed in Paris, marking a landmark in the history of avant-garde theater. In the United States, the New York Aquarium opened on December 10th, marking a new beginning in the lineage of popular science education facilities. In the UK, the Glasgow Subway opened on December 14th, signaling the modernization of urban transportation. On December 25th, John Philip Sousa (1854–1932) is said to have composed The Stars and Stripes Forever, marking a turning point in modern popular music culture. At the end of the month, on December 30th, José Rizal (1861–1896) was executed in the Philippines under Spanish rule, a milestone remembered as a key event in the history of the anti-colonial movement.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in December 1896
At the end of 1896, the disc gramophone and the cylinder phonograph were running side by side, and sales of home equipment were expanding in tandem with peripheral media (sound recordings and advertising media). Increased demand during the holiday shopping season, in particular, and information about new releases reported in industry papers at the time, signaled a shift in recording culture from a "novel technology" to "music as a commodity."
Berliner Grammophon's year-end demand and equipment popularity
One explanation is that increased demand around the end of the year (Christmas period) gave the Berliner Gramophone Company (official English name unconfirmed) of Washington, D.C., an advantage over its competitors, and production was unable to keep up with demand. While this is not a detailed list of the recordings themselves, it provides important background information for the end of 1896, as the spread of home playback devices laid the foundation for an increase in the distribution of recordings and listening habits.
Mention of new recordings in December 1896 and signs of new repertoire
The December 1896 issue of the trade paper "The Phonoscope" (the official Japanese spelling of the publication is unconfirmed) reportedly mentioned some of the new recordings, and it is said that the titles of ragtime pieces were mentioned. As of the time of writing this page, the full text of the primary source itself has not been confirmed, so here we will limit ourselves to the extent that "the article states so."
The position of cylinder recording media
The late 1890s marked the beginning of widespread commercial recording on cylinders, a precursor to the later mainstreaming of discs. This overview by the Library of Congress provides a foundation for understanding the historical position of cylinder recording and its competitive dynamics (as multiple companies entered the market, resulting in a subsequent reorganization of the market).
