The 1888 Crystal Palace recordings

Box of wax cylinders from the ILN engraving

August Manns sends a phonogram to Theodore Thomas

Sir August Manns was the conductor at the 1888 Handel Festival.

Theodore Thomas (1835-1905) was an American violinist and conductor and, like Manns, was born in Germany. By 1888 he was as famous in America as Manns was in Great Britain. Thomas formed his own orchestra and toured the States with it for many years, eventually dissolving it in 1888. In 1891 he became the first conductor of what would become the Chicago Symphony.

This recording was probably made at one of the dinner parties held by Gouraud for his friends. Although indistinct, Gouraud's introduction appears to say '30th August 1888'. This would date the recording to the same evening at that made by Sir Henry Irving.

Gouraud: 30th [indistinct] August 1888. I am honoured ... by the first musical director in Europe, if not in the entire world - Mr August Manns. He needs no further introduction to you. Mr Manns will now speak to you.

Manns: My dear Edison. I have just had the pleasure of hearing a double...of you New York phonograph and feel almost by this extraordinary reproduction. It seems to me that ... compliment by forcing you one of my Crystal Palace record - recordings. I can now only send my hearty congratulations.

Gouraud: Now, Edison, Mr Manns wants to send a few words of greeting to his American colleague Theodore Thomas. Please see that Mr Thomas gets this message.

Manns: [speaks in German]