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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 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 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]

Ragtime Wedding March (Apologies to Mendelssohn) Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Ragtime Wedding March (Apologies to Mendelssohn) (Chicago: Christensen School, 1908).

[view sheet music]

Source:  Library of Congress, Music Division [top]
Irmena Rag Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Irmena Rag (Chicago: Christensen School, 1908).

[view sheet music]

Source:  Library of Congress, Music Division [top]
Cauldron Rag Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Cauldron Rag (Chicago: Christensen School, 1909).

[view sheet music]

Source: Scholar's Junction (MSU) [top]
First page of music for Lange's "Flower Song" in Ragtime


Axel Christensen, Lange's "Flower Song" in Ragtime (Chicago: Christensen School, 1909).
[view sheet music] [top]
First Page of Marching Thro' Georgia Sheet Music


Axel Christensen, Marching Thro' Georgia (Chicago: Christensen School, 1909).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 1, No 4: 6-7) [top]
Star and Garter Ragtime Waltz


Axel Christensen, Star and Garter Ragtime Waltz (Chicago: Christensen School, 1910).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 2: 11-14: February 1917) [top]
Glen Oaks Rag Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Glen Oaks Rag (Chicago: Christensen School, 1912).

[view sheet music]

Source: Digital copy provided by Andrew Barrett [top]
Press Club Rag Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Press Club Rag (Chicago: Christensen School, 1912).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 2, No 10: 11-14: November 1916) [top]
In My Mercer Racing Car Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen (and John Meck), In My Mercer Racing Car (Chicago: Christensen School, 1913)

[view sheet music]

Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections [top]
Minnesota Rag Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Minnesota Rag (Chicago: Christensen School, 1913).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 1, No 1: 10-12) [top]
Pathetic Rag Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Pathetic Rag (Chicago: Christensen School, 1913).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 3: 15-18: March 1917) [top]
Annie Laurie (Ragtime Version) Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen (arranger), Annie Laurie (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).

[view sheet music]

Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections [top]
Auld Lang Syne (Ragtime Version) Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen (arranger), Auld Lang Syne (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).

[view sheet music]

Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Axel Christensen (arranger), Believe Me, If All These Endearing Young Charms (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).
[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy] [top]
My Old Kentucky Home (Ragtime Version) Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen (arranger), Home Sweet Home (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).

[view sheet music]

Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Axel Christensen (arranger), Massa's In the Cold, Cold Ground (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).
[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy] [top]
The Last Rose of Summer (Ragtime Version) Sheet Music Cover Music Cover


Axel Christensen (arranger), The Last Rose of Summer (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).

[view sheet music]

Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections [top]
My Old Kentucky Home (Ragtime Version) Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen (arranger), My Old Kentucky Home (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).

[view sheet music]

Source: Scholar's Junction (MSU) [top]
Old Black Joe (Ragtime Version), Page 1


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]
Ragtime Rings The Bell


Axel Christensen, Ragtime Rings The Bell (song).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 2, No 2: 13) [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Axel Christensen (arranger), 'Way Down Upon The Swanee River (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).
[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy] [top]
When You and I Were Young, Maggie (Ragtime Version) Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen (arranger), When You and I Were Young, Maggie (Ragtime Version) (Chicago: Forster Music, 1915).

[view sheet music]

Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections [top]
Webster Grove Rag Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Webster Grove Rag. Chicago: Christensen School, 1915.

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 1, No 3: 9) [top]
That Potatoe Bug Rag


Axel Christensen, That Potatoe Bug Rag. Chicago: Christensen School, 1916.

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 2, No 11:16-17: May 1916) [top]
 Sheet music cover for Nobody's Business (Axel Christensen)

Axel Christensen, Nobody's Business. Chicago: Forster Music, 1923.

[view sheet music]

Source: Scholar's Junction (MSU)   [top]

Sheet music cover for Teasing the Klassics (Axel Christensen)

Axel Christensen, Teasing the Klassics. Chicago: Forster Music, 1923.

[view sheet music]

Source: University of Alberta Libraries Sheet Music Collection [top]

Axel Grease - A Slick Novelty - Sheet Music Cover


Axel Christensen, Axel Grease. New York, NY: Jack Mills, 1924.

[view sheet music] [top]
 Sheet music cover for Take It Easy (Axel Christensen)


Axel Christensen, Take It Easy. New York, NY: Jack Mills, 1924.

[view sheet music] [top]

 Cover of folio of music for Syncophonics (Axel Christensen)


Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No 1. Chicago: Christensen School, 1925.

[view sheet music] [top]

 Cover of folio of music for Syncophonics (Axel Christensen)


Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No 2. Chicago: Christensen School, 1925.

[view sheet music] [top]

 Cover of folio of music for Syncophonics (Axel Christensen)


Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No 3. Chicago: Christensen School, 1925.

[view sheet music] [top]

Cover of folio of music for Syncophonics (Axel Christensen)


Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No 4. Chicago: Christensen School, 1925.

[view sheet music] [top]

Cover of folio of music for Syncophonics (Axel Christensen)


Axel Christensen, Syncophonic No 5. Chicago: Christensen School, 1925.

[view sheet music] [top]

Boogie Woogie Blues sheet music cover

Axel Christensen, Boogie Woogie Blues. Hollywood, CA: The Christensen Method, 1927.

[view sheet music]

Source: Hathi Trust [top]

 

Additional Instrumental Rags Published by the Christensen School
Cactus Rag First Page


The Cactus Rag (by Lucien Porter Gibson) (St Louis, MO: Stark Music Co, 1916)

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 4, No 2:14-16: February 1918) [top]
Happy Sam Rag First Page


Happy Sam Rag (by Oscar Chilton) (Chicago: Christensen School, 1918)

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 4, No 2: 12-13: February 1918) [top]
Progressive Rag (Dance Comique) Sheet Music Cover


Progressive Rag (Dance Comique) (by Tobe Brown) (Chicago: Christensen School, 1913)

[view sheet music] [listen to MIDI file provided by Rob Crausaz]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 1: 15-17: January 1917) [top]
Reinette Rag Sheet Music Cover


Reinette Rag (by David Reichstein) (Chicago: Christensen School, 1913)

[view sheet music]

Source: Indiana University Sheet Music Collections [top]

Sheet music Edward Mellinger compositions top]

Corrugated Rag Sheet Music Cover


Edward Mellinger, Corrugated Rag (St Louis, MO: Stark Music Co, 1911).

[view sheet music]

Source: Scholar's Junction (MSU) [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Edward Mellinger, Edward Mellinger Rag (St Louis, MO: Stark Music Co, 1913).

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy]

Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 358 [top]
In Love's Paradise


Edward Mellinger, In Love's Paradise (words by EW Coulson) (Copyright: Mellinger Music Publishing Co, 1914).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 1, No 1: 9-11: December 1914) [top]
Sheet Music Cover for That Contagious Rag (Mellinger) 


Edward Mellinger, That Contagious Rag (St Louis, MO: Stark Music Company, 1913).

[view sheet music]

Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 397 [top]
That Easy Rag


Edward Mellinger, That Easy Rag (Copyright: Mellinger Music Publishing Co, 1914).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 2, No 6:9-11: May 1916) [top]

 

Additional Compositions Published by Mellinger Music Publishing Co
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Bandit King Rag (by GW Haskins and JA Poston) (St Louis, MO: Mellinger Music Publishing Co, 1914).
[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy] [top]
Esther Rag - Sheet Music Cover


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 - First Page of Music


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 - Sheet Music Cover


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 Sheet Music Cover


Sweet Baby Blues (by Ralph Williams) (Chicago: Christensen School of Popular Music of Chicago and Mellinger Music Publishing Co, 1917).

[view sheet music] Note: This composition was also published in Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 5: 11-13: May 1917)

Source: Historic American Sheet Music (Duke) [top]
Tantalizer Rag


The Tantalizer Rag (by Frank Butler) (St Louis, MO: Mellinger Music Publishing Co, 1916).

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 4: 14-17: April 1917) [top]

Sheet music for Marcella Henry compositions [top]
 

Broadway Rag


Marcella Henry, Broadway Rag. Chicago: Christensen School of Popular Music, 1917.

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 10 9-10: October 1917) [top]
The Covent Garden: Rag-Time Waltz


Marcella Henry, The Covent Garden: Rag-Time Waltz. Chicago: Christensen School of Popular Music, 1917.

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 10: 11-12: October 1917) [top]
Glittering Stars: Rag-Time Waltz


Marcella Henry, Glittering Stars: Rag-Time Waltz. Copyright: Marcella Henry, 1916.

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 2, No 6 5-8: May 1916) [top]
The Green Mill: Rag


Marcella Henry, The Green Mill: Rag. Chicago: Christensen School of Popular Music, 1917.

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 4, No 1: 12-13: January 1918) [top]
Kentucky Rag


Marcella 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]
National Colors Rag Sheet Music Cover


Marcella Henry, National Colors Rag. Published in Ragtime Review 3:6 (June 1917): 10-11.

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 3, No 8: June 1917) [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Marcella Henry, Player Piano Rag: Fox Trot. Issued on piano roll: Kimball 7582.

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy] [top]
First page of music for Shepherd's Lullaby for Left Hand Alone


Shepherd's Lullaby for Left Hand Alone. Marcella Henry. Pittsburgh, PA. Theo. Presser Co, 1911.
[view sheet music] [top]
Who Got The Lemon? Buck Dance Rag - Sheet Music Cover


Marcella Henry, Who Got The Lemon? Buck Dance Rag. Peru, IL: Marcella Henry Pub. Co, 1909.

[view sheet music]

Source: Digital copy provided by Andrew Barrett [top]

Sheet music for Robert Marine compositions [top]
 

Marine Fox Trot


Robert Marine, Marine Fox Trot (Copyright: Robert Marine, 1915)

[view sheet music]

Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 2, No 5: April 1916) [top]
Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Robert Marine, Burning the Keys (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc, 1928)

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy]

Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 349 [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Robert Marine, Coaxing the Ivories (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc, 1928)

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy]

Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 353 [top]
Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Robert Marine, Full of Tricks (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc, 1928)

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy]

Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 361 [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Robert Marine, Hot Fingers (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc, 1928)

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy]

Source: Jasen and Tichenor (1978): 235 [top]
 Keyboard Klassic - first page

Robert Marine, Keyboard Klassic (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc, 1928)

[view sheet music]

Source: Musescore.com Jasen and Tichenor (1978): 236 [top]
Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Robert Marine, Lotta Trix (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc, 1928)

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy]

Source: Jasen and Tichenor (1978): 236 [top]
 Image of question mark indicating this music is still being sourced

Robert Marine, Marine Syncopations (New York, NY: Robert Marine, Inc, 1928)

[click here for Google search results trying to source an online copy]

Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 373 [top]

Sheet music for Bernard Brin compositions [top]

Jitney Bus Rag


Bernard Brin, Jitney Bus Rag (Copyright: Bernard Brin,1915).

[view sheet music] Source: Ragtime Review (Vol 1, No 8: August 1915) [top]

For a similar song from the same year, see Gasoline Gus and His Jitney Bus by Byron Gay and Charley Brown (Los Angeles: WA Quincke & Co, 1915) available here from the University of Colorado Digital Sheet Music Collection.
 Sheet music cover for Can't Think of the Name

Bernard Brin and Al Newman, Can't Think of the Name (Seattle, WA: Melody Shop, 1922).

[view sheet music from MuseScore]

Source: Jasen and Jones (2000): 350 [top]

How Can I? Waltz Ballad

Bernard 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 JS 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

Photo of Axel Christensen

Compilation of "Movie Music" from the Ragtime Review

[view sheet music] [top]

Perfessor Bill Edwards also has a page devoted to ragtime music used for silent movies, including details on the folios by JS Zamecnik (Sam Fox Moving Picture Music) and Bodewalt Lampe (Remick Folio of Moving Picture Music).

Update (December 2018): I included the movie music above when creating this essay in 2006 since such music was not widely available. However, as of 2014, the Silent Film Sound & Music Archive provides excellent access to movie music.

Return to main menu ׀ Proceed to Chapter 4] [top]

 

  
 

Creative Commons License  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

This site created by Ted Tjaden. Page last updated: January 2025.