The Lost Chord

This little piece of history is explained in detail on Wikipedia. The song “The Lost Chord” was composed in 1877 by British composer Arthur Sullivan at the bedside of his very ill brother Fred, who died five days later. Sullivan later said, “I have composed much music since then, but have never written a second Lost Chord."

But the part of this particular piece of history that I find interesting involves the introduction of Thomas Edison’s phonograph to London, which included a recording of The Lost Chord, one of the first recordings of music ever made. Afterward, Sullivan recorded a speech to Thomas Edison, saying in part,

I can only say that I am astonished and somewhat terrified at the result of this evening's experiments: astonished at the wonderful power you have developed, and terrified at the thought that so much hideous and bad music may be put on record forever. But all the same I think it is the most wonderful thing that I have ever experienced, and I congratulate you with all my heart on this wonderful discovery.

“Hideous and bad music put on record forever”: well said, Mr. Sullivan.