Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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On a rare record label called Pyramid Records, pianist Peter Van Spall gives an excellent rendition of Felix Arndt's 'From Soup to Nuts', a ragtime turkey trot/one step from 1914. It sticks pretty closely to the original sheet music, while also giving some creative improvisations throughout. This was recorded at an unknown date in the early 1950s, during the 50s Ragtime Revival.

Flip side of this record: youtu.be/d_4aJ36cLl4?si=NsQv8R3ZwNXvZnKA

Felix Arndt, a relative to French Emperor Napoleon III, was the father of novelty piano. His song 'Nola' from 1915 is regarded as the very example of this genre. But aside from that, he was no stranger to one steps, fox trots, waltzes, and popular songs. 'Clover Club', 'Toots', and 'Marionette' are examples of these. But you can't forget his ragtime arrangements of classical medleys, 'Desecration Rag' and 'Operatic Nightmare.' Unlike most ragtime composers of the era, he recorded piano solos of most of his songs and others, as well as piano rolls. I find these to be very valuable to the ragtime community.

Felix Arndt died young before the novelty era formally arrived, at the height of his career. He contracted the infamous Spanish Influenza and died in 1918 at the age of 29.

More Felix Arndt: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLMkuz4vEFoMGlLb94xnPjmcULthr04AI&si=gXyys7p0BddriV0g

Felix Arndt piano and celeste recordings:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGAQvbfY3Z2evd3Ws5JDn_CrgrohpzDQ&si=6CIyJp5Mqs_cRabz