Axel Christensen: The Czar of Ragtime and His Ragtime Review

Chapter 3: Sheet Music of Axel Christensen and his Colleagues

By Ted Tjaden

 

Return to main menu ׀ Proceed to Chapter 4

Axel Christensen published a number of piano rags, many of which were also published in the Ragtime Review. Jasen and Jones (2000:126) describe his compositions as "musically competent" but "not very exciting." Set out below is a list, in chronological order, of links to sheet music and sheet music covers of compositions by Axel Christensen. Following this table are links to sheet music and sheet music covers of compositions by each of Edward J. Mellinger, Marcella Henry, Robert Marine and Bernard Brin, each of whom were teachers at Christensen schools. Following this is a link to a compilation in one source of all of the "movie music" published in various volumes of the Ragtime Review. Thanks to Rob Crausaz for providing old scans of the covers below for Press Club Rag, Minnesota Rag, Progressive Rag and Reinette Rag.

Sheet music for Axel Christensen compositions
Sheet music Edward J. Mellinger compositions
Sheet music for Marcella Henry compositions
Sheet music for Robert Marine compositions
Sheet music for Bernard Brin compositions

BONUS: Movie music published in the Ragtime Review

 

Axel Christensen Compositions   [top]

	Axel Christensen, Ragtime Wedding March (Apologies to Mendelssohn) (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1908). [view sheet music] Source:  Library of Congress, Music Division  [top]
	Axel Christensen, Irmena Rag (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1908). [view sheet music] Source:  Library of Congress, Music Division  [top]
	Axel Christensen, Cauldron Rag (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1909). [view sheet music] Source: Charles H. Templeton Sheet Music Collection Ragtime (MSU)   [top]
	Axel Christensen, Marching Thro' Georgia (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1909). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review, Vol. 1, No. 4: 6-7  [top]
	Axel Christensen, Star and Garter Ragtime Waltz (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1910). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 2, pages 11-14: February 1917)  [top]
	Axel Christensen, Glen Oaks Rag (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1912). [view sheet music] Source: Digital copy provided by Andrew Barrett [top]
	Axel Christensen, Press Club Rag (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1912). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 2, no. 10, pages 11-14: November 1916)  [top]
	Axel Christensen (and John S. Meck), In My Mercer Racing Car (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1913) [view sheet music] Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections   [top]
	Axel Christensen, Minnesota Rag (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1913). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review, Vol. 1, No. 1: 10-12  [top]
	Axel Christensen, Pathetic Rag (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1913). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 3, pages 15-18: March 1917)  [top]
	Axel Christensen (arranger), Annie Laurie (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915). [view sheet music] Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections   [top]
	Axel Christensen (arranger), Auld Lang Syne (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915). [view sheet music] Source: IN Harmony: Sheet Music from Indiana   [top]
	Axel Christensen (arranger), Believe Me, If All These Endearing Young Charms (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915).
	Axel Christensen (arranger), Home Sweet Home (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915). [view sheet music] Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections   [top]
	Axel Christensen (arranger), Massa's In the Cold, Cold Ground (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915).
	Axel Christensen (arranger), The Last Rose of Summer (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915). [view sheet music] Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections   [top]
	Axel Christensen (arranger), My Old Kentucky Home (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915). [view sheet music] Source: Charles H. Templeton Sheet Music Collection Ragtime (MSU)   [top]
	Axel Christensen (arranger), Old Black Joe (Ragtime Version) (simplified version from Ragtime Review). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review, Vol. 1, No. 2: 7  [top]
	Axel Christensen, Ragtime Rings The Bell (song). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review, Vol. 2, No. 2: 13  [top]
	Axel Christensen (arranger), 'Way Down Upon The Swanee River (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915).
	Axel Christensen (arranger), When You and I Were Young, Maggie (Ragtime Version) (Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1915). [view sheet music] Source: IN Harmony: Sheet Music from Indiana   [top]
	Axel Christensen, Webster Grove Rag. Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1915. [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review, Vol. 1, No. 3: 9  [top]
	Axel Christensen, That Potatoe Bug Rag. Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1916. [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 2, no. 11, pages 16-17: May 1916)  [top]
	Axel Christensen, Nobody's Business. Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1923.
	Axel Christensen, Teasing the Klassics. Chicago, IL: Forster Music, 1923.
	Axel Christensen, Axel Grease. New York, NY: Jack Mills, 1924. [view sheet music]
	Axel Christensen, Take It Easy. New York, NY: Jack Mills, 1924.
	Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No. 1. Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1925.
	Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No. 2. Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1925.
	Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No. 3. Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1925.
	Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No. 4. Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1925.
	Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No. 5. Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1925.
Additional Instrumental Rags Published by the Christensen School
	The Cactus Rag (by Lucien Porter Gibson) (St. Louis, MO: Stark Music Co., 1916) [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 4, no. 2, pages 14-16: February 1918)  [top]
	Happy Sam Rag (by Oscar Chilton) (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1918) [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 4, no. 2, pages 12-13: February 1918)  [top]
	Progressive Rag (Dance Comique) (by Tobe Brown) (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1913) [view sheet music] [listen to MIDI file provided by Rob Crausaz] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 1, pages 15-17: January 1917)  [top]
	Reinette Rag (by David Reichstein) (Chicago, IL: Christensen School, 1913) [view sheet music] Source: IN Harmony: Sheet Music from Indiana   [top]

 

Sheet music Edward J. Mellinger compositions   [top]

 

	Edward J. Mellinger, That Corrugated Rag (St. Louis, MO: Stark Music Co., 1911). [view sheet music] Source: Charles H. Templeton Sheet Music Collection Ragtime (MSU)   [top]
	Edward J. Mellinger, Edward J. Mellinger Rag (St. Louis, MO: Stark Music Co., 1913). Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 358
	Edward J. Mellinger, In Love's Paradise (words by E.W. Coulson) (Copyright: Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1914). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 1, no. 1, pages 9-11: December 1914)  [top]
	That Contagious Rag (St. Louis, MO: Stark Music Company, 1913). Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 397  [top]
	Edward J. Mellinger, That Easy Rag (Copyright: Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1914). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 2, no. 6, pages 9-11: May 1916)  [top]
Additional Compositions Published by Mellinger Music Publishing Co.
	Bandit King Rag (by G.W. Haskins and J.A. Poston)  (St. Louis, MO: Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1914).
	Esther Rag (by David Reichstein)  (St. Louis, MO: Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1915). [view sheet music] Source: Digital copy provided by Andrew Barrett [top]
	Noisy Notes Rag (by Ralph Wray)  (St. Louis, MO: Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1915). [view sheet music] Source: Digital copy provided by Andrew Barrett [top]
	Slippery Elm: That Raggy Tango (by Emma Biba)  (St. Louis, MO: Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1914). [view sheet music] Source: Digital copy provided by Andrew Barrett [top]
	Sweet Baby Blues (by Ralph Williams) (Chicago, IL: Christensen School of Popular Music of Chicago and Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1917). [view sheet music] Source: Historic American Sheet Music (Duke)  [top] Note: This composition was also published in Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 5, pages 11-13: May 1917)
	The Tantalizer Rag (by Frank S. Butler) (St. Louis, MO: Mellinger Music Publishing Co., 1916). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 4, pages 14-17: April 1917)  [top]

 

 

Sheet music for Marcella Henry compositions   [top]
 

	Marcella A. Henry, Broadway Rag. Chicago, IL: Christensen School of Popular Music, 1917. [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 10, pages 9-10: October 1917)  [top]
	Marcella A. Henry, The Covent Garden: Rag-Time Waltz. Chicago, IL: Christensen School of Popular Music, 1917. [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 10, pages 11-12: October 1917)  [top]
	Marcella A. Henry, Glittering Stars: Rag-Time Waltz. Copyright: Marcella A. Henry, 1916. [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 2, no. 6, pages 5-8: May 1916)  [top]
	Marcella A. Henry, The Green Mill: Rag. Chicago, IL: Christensen School of Popular Music, 1917 [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 4, no. 1, pages 12-13: January 1918)  [top]
	Marcella A. Henry,  Kentucky Rag. Published in Ragtime Review 3, no. 7 (July 1917): 10-11 [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 7: July 1917)  [top]
	Marcella A. Henry, National Colors Rag. Published in Ragtime Review 3, no. 6 (June 1917): 10-11 [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 3, no. 8: June 1917)  [top]
	Marcella A. Henry, Player Piano Rag: Fox Trot. Issued on piano roll: Kimball 7582.
	Marcella A. Henry, Who Got The Lemon? Buck Dance Rag. Peru, IL: Marcella A. Henry Pub. Co., 1909. [view sheet music] Source: Digital copy provided by Andrew Barrett [top]

 

 

Sheet music for Robert Marine compositions   [top]
 

	Robert Marine, Marine Fox Trot (Copyright: Robert Marine, 1915) [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 2, No. 5: April 1916)
	Robert Marine, Burning the Keys (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc., 1928) Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 349
	Robert Marine, Coaxing the Ivories (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc., 1928) Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 353
	Robert Marine, Full of Tricks (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc., 1928) Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 361
	Robert Marine, Hot Fingers (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc., 1928) Source: Jasen and Tichenor (1978): 235
	Robert Marine, Keyboard Klassic (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc., 1928) Source: Jasen and Tichenor (1978): 236
	Robert Marine, Lotta Trix (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc., 1928) Source: Jasen and Tichenor (1978): 236
	Robert Marine, Marine Syncopations (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc., 1928) Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 373

 

 

Sheet music for Bernard B. Brin compositions   [top]

 

	Bernard Brin, Jitney Bus Rag (Copyright: Bernard B. Brin,1915). [view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol. 1, No. 8: August 1915)  For a similar song from the same year, see Gasoline Gus and His Jitney Bus by Byron Gay and Charley Brown (Los Angeles, CA: W.A. Quincke & Co., 1915) available here from the University of Colorado Digital Sheet Music Collection.
	Bernard B. Brin and Al Newman, Can't Think of the Name (Seattle, WA: Melody Shop, 1922). Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 350
	Bernard B. Brin, Al Hoffman and Wesley Barry, How Can I? Waltz Ballad (song) Seattle, WA: Brin Music Publishing Co., 1923). [view sheet music] Source: Pacific Northwest Sheet Music Collection [top]

 

Movie Music Published in the Ragtime Review   [top]

Set out below is a link to a single document containing all of the "movie music" samples contained in various editions of the Ragtime Review. Most of these samples were published in the Ragtime Review without attribution as to authorship. Presumably, those samples were composed by Axel Christensen. The samples in the link below are on the following themes suitable to be played to accompany silent movies:

• Hurry (Pursuit and Capture), from Vol. 2, No. 9: October 1916, page 12

• Moonlight, Vol. 2, No. 11: December 1916, page 18

• "Pantaloon" Danse Grotesque (for Comic Scenes), Vol. 3, No. 1: January 1917, page 18

• Coronation March (Also for Court Scenes, Pageants, Etc.) (by J.S. Meck), from Vol. 3, No. 5: May 1917, pages 16-17

• For Introductions, Lively Scenes, Western Pictures, Etc., from Vol. 3, No. 6: June 1917, pages 9

• Quarrel or Struggle Scenes, from Vol. 3, No. 7: July 1917, pages 9

• Turkish, from Vol. 3, No. 8: August 1917, page 12

 

Compilation of "Movie Music" from the Ragtime Review [view sheet music]

Perfessor Bill Edwards also has a page devoted to ragtime music used for silent movies, including details on the folios by J.S. Zamecnik (Sam Fox Moving Picture Music) and J. Bodewalt Lampe (Remick Folio of Moving Picture Music). Although both folios are quite rare, you may be able to find them in a local library.

---

Return to main menu ׀ Proceed to Chapter 4

[top]