Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Willard Spencer's 1894 broadway musical, 'The Princess Bonnie' comes to life in a collection of waltzes played for piano solo in a very early record by Frederick William Gaisberg (1873-1951), who was a pioneer in the recording industry. He was more well known for his talent-scouting and his producing work, as he made only a handful of piano solos. One of the talents he discovered was one Enrico Caruso.
I noticed that the main theme of this waltz sounds suspiciously similar to the melody of Chauncey Olcott's 'My Beautiful Irish Maid', which was written the same year: youtu.be/0dPLrYEe4es?si=puKFsDHeZX1e2t9u. I do not know if there was plagiarism here, or just a coincidence; or if it is plagiarism, whether Olcott or Spencer are to blame.
An 1892 recording of Gaisberg playing Waldteufel's 'Geisterfunken': youtu.be/E7BuidcUUUA?si=pkvE2w7SNx3DS5Ej
Willard Spencer's 1894 broadway musical, 'The Princess Bonnie' comes to life in a collection of waltzes played for piano solo in a very early record by Frederick William Gaisberg (1873-1951), who was a pioneer in the recording industry. He was more well known for his talent-scouting and his producing work, as he made only a handful of piano solos. One of the talents he discovered was one Enrico Caruso.
I noticed that the main theme of this waltz sounds suspiciously similar to the melody of Chauncey Olcott's 'My Beautiful Irish Maid', which was written the same year: youtu.be/0dPLrYEe4es?si=puKFsDHeZX1e2t9u. I do not know if there was plagiarism here, or just a coincidence; or if it is plagiarism, whether Olcott or Spencer are to blame.
An 1892 recording of Gaisberg playing Waldteufel's 'Geisterfunken': youtu.be/E7BuidcUUUA?si=pkvE2w7SNx3DS5Ej
![We Will Trust You As Our Leader (1911) by Scott Joplin [1976 SMOOTH JAZZ SOLO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mskKU461Hu0/mqdefault.jpg "We Will Trust You As Our Leader (1911) by Scott Joplin [1976 SMOOTH JAZZ SOLO]
Mike Wofford plays a famed Treemonisha opera segment, the penultimate song, where Treemonisha is elected as leader of her community in the aftermath of her kidnapping. This is one of my favorite songs, not just in the opera, but in general. It reminds me of the last day of school back in 8th Grade, when we spent the day in the town park, one of the last times we were completely free of responsibility.
#ragtime #scottjoplin #smoothjazz
©1976 Flying Dutchman Productions, Ltd.
More Scott Joplin:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGAQvbfY3Z3FDwU5UdnwCnkd7zkbX4mS&si=dlDrjm5EjRfaaUKt
Full album of this song:
https://youtu.be/BL_43JExzVY?si=vnv4U-eSJCvV5Rxh")
![🎄A Dream of Christmas 🎄(1912) by H.A Rasch [Played by Stehl, De Jaeger, Schuetze]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nAzzYdHETVk/mqdefault.jpg "🎄A Dream of Christmas 🎄(1912) by H.A Rasch [Played by Stehl, De Jaeger, Schuetze]
Happy Christmas in July!
A harp, cello, and violin trio of George Stehl, Charles De Jaeger, and Charles Schuetze play a little known Christmas carol.
More Christmas songs:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGAQvbfY3Z2RNfPuflYhA7JazcbYeUsO&si=yGHToFwWR5wIeGMj")
![Only You (1915) by Clarence M. Jones [Played by Pathé Dance Orchestra]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ngl9CZhGCP4/mqdefault.jpg "Only You (1915) by Clarence M. Jones [Played by Pathé Dance Orchestra]
Only You can support this channel by liking and subscribing.
Clarence M. Jones was one of those ragtime composers who was able to switch forms from classical ragtime, to one-steps, to fox-trots, to novelty, and then to jazz. His versatility is what makes him stand out today.
More Clarence M. Jones: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLMkuz4vEFoMn8cfxw9ZsWxtbfNnxyb0G&si=R55K29b4coGOuGvc")
![🎄 Fifteen Vintage Christmas Songs 🎄 - A Very Merry Compilation [VOLUME II]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/niwfdaoLh0I/mqdefault.jpg "🎄 Fifteen Vintage Christmas Songs 🎄 - A Very Merry Compilation [VOLUME II]
Merry Christmas! Christmastime, though festive and merry, can sometimes feel like a hurdle, just another tradition that must be fulfilled. When those emotions arise, one must look back at what makes the holiday so special. In music, we unlock a new facet of human experience, bringing out feelings that words cannot properly describe without melody. Some of these songs are well-known classics. Others are as obscure as they get. Nonetheless, they all embody the spirit of the season. I hope these 15 songs bring delight and yuletide joy to your Christmas celebration.
#vintagechristmasmusic #78rpm #christmasjazzsongs
Timestamps:
0:00- Carol of the Bells
1:59- Winter
4:33- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
7:50- The Sleighride
10:24- Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
13:07- O du Fröliche
15:44- On a Good Old Time Sleigh Ride
19:01- Santa Claus Patrol
22:17- Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle
25:33- Cantique de Noël
29:50- Christmas Night in Harlem
32:32- You Must Think I’m Santa Claus
35:16- Snowflakes
38:36- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
40:32- Puer Natus est Nobis
Audio of the following songs were courtesy of the following channels:
Santa Claus is Comin to Town:
@the78prof72
O du Fröhliche:
@Nyckelharpabuilder
Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle:
@michaelkazmierskidunn7189
Christmas Night in Harlem:
@timgracyk
You Must Think Im Santa Claus:
@OldGrooves-eh5uz
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear:
@vincent.wilson0807
Snow Falling in Tuntorp Footage:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snow_falling_in_Tuntorp.webm
VOLUME I: https://youtu.be/W8InlMWZPxo?si=raOwI5Qw4Ghw1up5")
![Dizzy Fingers (1922) by Zez Confrey [CINEMA ORGAN SOLO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nl5lxg3BHMg/mqdefault.jpg "Dizzy Fingers (1922) by Zez Confrey [CINEMA ORGAN SOLO]
An unknown performer from an unknown year (c. 1922-1928) plays Zez Confreys novelty classic.
This song reminds me of an episode from July 28, 2022, in which I ventured to Mackinac Island, Michigan, and biked the entire 8-mile perimeter of the island.
Zez Confrey was the King of the Novelty Piano Genre, the composer of Kitten on the Keys, Nickel in the Slot, and Coaxing the Piano. His fast-paced novelties are only half of the picture of his range: his melancholic and refined jazz overtures Mighty Lackawanna, Moods of a New Yorker: Suite, and Motif du Concert show a different side of his works that may merit more musicological attention. Listen to Eteri Andjaparidzes interpretations of Confreys works to hear from both.
More Zez Confrey: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGAQvbfY3Z3LYc7c4w3vXDAe8q3y26m8&si=0w-RDNaPZImyfroo
Zez Confrey Piano Recordings (1921-1924): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLMkuz4vEFoMxRkQv7sQvNa1rWtUdrzrF&si=dvoTjpdnI7QfAKXy")
![Jésus est Né [Christ is Born] (1924) by Emile Louis [Sung by Alphonse W. Coté]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oKhCKH-Rb4Y/mqdefault.jpg "Jésus est Né [Christ is Born] (1924) by Emile Louis [Sung by Alphonse W. Coté]
An obscure French Christmas recording from 100 years ago.
In the Catholic Church, we celebrate Christmas until the Baptism of the Lord, which this year takes place on January 12th. So I will keep posting Christmas videos until then.
1916 Recording of A Christmas Carol:
https://youtu.be/88I2aOQoIWw?si=LGVoNvuiQoSPaV3d
My Official Christmas Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGAQvbfY3Z2RNfPuflYhA7JazcbYeUsO&si=VMDt0_Y-M-Rn0Ebg")
![🎄 O Holy Night [Jule Nat] 🎄 (1917) - Nathalie Hansen](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oNKZzXJ2NVw/mqdefault.jpg "🎄 O Holy Night [Jule Nat] 🎄 (1917) - Nathalie Hansen
A Norwegian Christmas record!
A Christmas classic written by Placide Cappeau and Adolphus Adam in 1843. Theres Norway you can pass on this one!
#christmas #78rpm #norway
Subscribe and stay tuned- there are many Yuletide records to come!
My official Christmas playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGAQvbfY3Z2RNfPuflYhA7JazcbYeUsO&si=OYGdwR6eCkfwyIrt")
