"Die Wacht am Rhein"
by Male Quartet
Sheet music courtesy of Lester Levy Sheet Music Collection |
When the Edison Company issued "Die Wacht Am Rhein" in 1914, there was as much German sympathy in the United States as any other kind. It was suggested, by a German diplomat, that Germany had 500,000 reservists in the United States who would rally to the Kaiser if called. Indeed, American sympathies, before the souring of relations occasioned by the German bludgeoning of neutral Belgium, would likely have been with Germany against France and Russia. Thomas Edison was rumored to be a German sympathizer as the result of their vast technological superiority and their reputation for innovation. So when Edison issued the Kaiser's own choice for the German National Anthem (it seems it was never officially sanctioned), for which the Kaiser, himself, wrote the melody, Edison was simply reflecting the national attitude and tapping an ample market of well-to-do, largely college educated, German speakers. It was smart marketing.
This recording of "Die Wacht am Rhein" is the first half of a 4-minute record, the second half of which is "Deutschland Uber Alles." The Edison Diamond Disc attributes it to "Male Quartet," while the corresponding Blue Amberol cylinder credits the Manhattan Quartet.
Listen: Streaming Real Audio | Windows Media Audio
