Listen to the voices of Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Fyodorovna!
Pavel Kulikovsky confirms:
“Yes, I do believe these are the voices on my great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother, Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna, better known in Denmark as Empress Dagmar.This recording have been known to me since 2014, where Stig Nielsen was the first to tell me about it. I have since done some research and in short I can give the following information.
The phonograph was demonstrated at the Danish Royal Palace Fredensborg on 28 September 1889. It is known that it was during one of the Emperor and Empress’ stays in Denmark.The next day it was reported in the newspapers - “Edison’s Phonograph was presented to Their Majestys King and Queen with tall guests at Fredensborg Castle. The presentation took place in Havesalen (Garden Hall) and commenced at 10. The most popular melodies captivated the royal and imperial rulers in two hours, and it was solely because of the advancing time that the presentation was interrupted.
There is no mentioning of a recording being made at this event, but it might well have happen before or after (next day), as Emperor Alexander III was very interested in the phonograph.The event was repeated about two month later in Russia. On Sunday, November 10, 1889, a similar demonstration took place at the palace in Gatchina. The Emperor invited a number of friends (there were 39 present), among whom were two brothers and his children, several ministers and ladies of the court, and others.Julius Block tells to a friend - “I was asked to show and explain the phonograph after dinner, which ended at 8 ¾. After a brief explanation, I went to a demonstration of the phonograph with one of a solo cornet, which was with the Emperor himself playing the cornet. The Emperor and Empress expressed their full satisfaction and said that they were surprised by the cleanliness and the intensity of the phonograph, in comparison with what they heard in the palace of the King of Denmark.“Emperor Alexander III made an order for the phonograph and Mr. Edison prepare the latest model with a sign that reads: “The phonograph is presented to His Majesty; ALEXANDER III, Emperor of Russia, by its inventor Edison in ____ 1889. ” It was the intention that the blank space was to be filled in with the specific date. However, the phonograph arrived to Emperor Alexander III only in 1890, so it was never filled in. With the phonograph was send two dozen first-class music tracks and 50 blank discs for recording.
Maria: We are very glad to see you today because it’s a good weather and we can go on walk.
(some talks on distant; probably they tell the emperor to come closer.)
Alexander: You want me to say something in Russian? It’s not always so easy when you want it. Do you expect me to sing or what? Well fine, here for example…
(I’m not a poet so it’s very rough translation in google style)“Bismarck himself from joy
Almost tear off a lock of hair
When telegraph bring such news
That the Germans bravely occupied
The big and important point
And approved in Africa
The rights of their homeland
Since then in Berlin old and young
Just only one repeat
Nah Africa, Nah Africa,
Nah Kee-Cameroon
As the Germans say”Alexander: If you would tell me before it would be much better. I would take a book with me or something like that to read anything at last. And just right like this from head it’s not easy. You caught me off-guard, goodbye gentlemen.
Maria: I’m very amused to hear my husband’s voice (from the Danish)Some people say Alexander III (if it really him) speak with huge foreign accent. I actually disagree, Alexander III or fooled around for the record or have such manner of speech. He just pulls words on French manner. He doesn’t sound as foreigner to me, more just like person from another epoch.
This is perfect!
(via romanovdreams)
