Congratulations Valse.
New York: G. Ricordi & Co., [c. 1914–1915]. Folio sheet music, 13 ½ x 10 ½ inches, illustrated pictorial cover. 5 pp. (including cover). Signature on cover, some tearing to wraps at seam, good. Item #List3615
A dance-era waltz by the influential African American bandleader and composer James Reese Europe (1881–1919), issued during the height of the early twentieth-century ballroom dance revival associated with the celebrated dance team Vernon and Irene Castle, and recorded by the Castles as “Castles Lame Duck Waltz.” Europe was already emerging as one of the most important Black bandleaders of the period through his work with the Castle House Orchestra, which provided music for the performances and dance instruction of Vernon and Irene Castle. As noted in Library of Congress program materials on the Castles:
“In 1914, the most famous exponents of modern social dance were Vernon and Irene Castle. Their revolutionary style did away with bulky moves associated with dances of the late nineteenth century and replaced them with elegant and streamlined athleticism. The Castles brought a new wave of popularity to dancing and much of their popularity was due to their daringness; the white Castles had hired an African-American orchestra to accompany them in a time when such public integration was nearly unknown. James Reese Europe (1881–1919) served as the Castle’s musical director.”
Publications such as “Congratulations Valse” represent Europe’s pre-war commercial output in New York’s dance music market, issued just prior to his later national fame as leader of the 369th Infantry “Hellfighters” Band during the First World War. Five copies in OCLC.
Price: $200.00