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Paul Aumonier

Hymne National Russe & Marseillaise

Gramophone Concert Record
G. C.-32110
25 cm / 10-inch single-sided shellac record

An early vocal record by the French bass Paul Aumonier, bringing together the Russian national anthem and La Marseillaise on the same recorded side. This striking programme offers a glimpse of the political and musical culture surrounding the Franco-Russian alliance.

The record bears the writing-angel label and the historical company name The Gramophone and Typewriter Ltd. This copy has a plain, flat reverse without an angel design and carries the reproduction wording “Reproduced in Hanover”.

◆ Details

Artist: Paul Aumonier, credited as “Monsieur AUMONIER”

Title as printed: Hymne National Russe & Marseillaise

Voice: Bass

Label: GRAMOPHONE CONCERT RECORD

Catalogue number: G. C.-32110

Dead-wax inscription: 32110

Format: 25 cm / 10-inch shellac record, 78 rpm, single-sided

Reverse: Plain and flat, without an angel design

Reproduced: Hanover

Language designation on the label: FRENCH

Location printed on the label: PARIS.

Genre: Vocal music / national anthems

Style: Patriotic and ceremonial repertoire

The title and catalogue number are documented in Paul Aumonier’s historical discography. The exact recording date and the issue date of this copy have not been confirmed.

♫ Tracklist

• Recorded side — G. C.-32110
  Hymne National Russe & Marseillaise
  Both anthems are presented under one combined title on the same side.

At first sight, this programme appears politically contradictory. The Russian imperial anthem, commonly known in English as God Save the Tsar, represented the monarchy, while La Marseillaise carried the revolutionary heritage of the French Republic. Their juxtaposition brings two very different political traditions into a single recorded programme.

The historical context makes the pairing understandable. France and Russia developed their alliance through agreements between 1891 and 1894, despite the profound differences between their regimes. The naval visits to Kronstadt in 1891 and Toulon in 1893 helped turn diplomatic rapprochement into a public spectacle, accompanied by ceremonies, patriotic music and commemorative objects.

The two anthems were heard together at celebrations of this friendship. This record can therefore be understood within that culture of Franco-Russian solidarity: a musical expression of an alliance that crossed ideological boundaries. Its specific connection to any individual visit or ceremony has not been established.

The historical interest lies in the combined programme and its vocal presentation by a French bass. The precise arrangement and extent of each anthem have not been verified through playback.

◆ Personnel

• Paul Aumonier: bass, credited on the label as “Monsieur AUMONIER”.

No accompanist, conductor or ensemble is named on the label.

Paul Aumonier was a French bass born in Paris in 1872. Trained at the Conservatoire, he became active in recording at an early stage of his career and later joined the Paris Opéra in 1914. His recorded repertoire included operatic selections as well as music intended for a wider domestic audience.

His surviving recordings include bass roles from Meyerbeer’s operas, among them Bertram in Robert le Diable and Marcel in Les Huguenots. Historical discographies document his work for several recording companies, making him a useful figure through whom to explore French bass singing in the acoustic recording era.

This anthem programme shows another aspect of his recorded activity. Alongside the operatic repertoire, his voice was used for patriotic music whose significance extended beyond the theatre. For collectors, the disc combines a documented French singer with a programme that reflects the diplomatic culture of its time.

◇ Technical details

Material: Shellac

Speed: 78 rpm

Record size: 25 cm / 10 inches

Configuration: Single-sided

Reverse: Plain, flat reverse without an angel design

Catalogue number: G. C.-32110

Dead-wax inscription: 32110 — the only inscription reported in the dead wax

Company: The Gramophone and Typewriter Ltd.

Additional company wording: “and Sister Companies.”

Reproduction: Reproduced in Hanover

Label design: Writing-angel trademark, with gold-coloured lettering on a dark background

Location inscription: PARIS.

The inscription 32110 corresponds to the catalogue number; no separate matrix inscription has been reported. “Reproduced in Hanover” identifies the place of reproduction. “PARIS.” is printed on the label, but the exact recording location and date have not been independently verified.

◆ Condition

Record condition: VG+ — slight surface marks. Visually graded.

Label: The lettering is noticeably worn and partly rubbed away. Spindle marks are present.

Please examine the photograph carefully for the extent of the label wear and spindle marks. Playback performance has not been confirmed.

◆ Buy with confidence

• The photograph shows the actual record offered.
• The catalogue reference, dead-wax inscription, surface condition and label wear are clearly described.
• A historical programme of interest to collectors of early French singing, national anthems and Franco-Russian cultural relations.
• Careful handling and packaging specifically designed for fragile shellac records.

◇ Shipping

• Secure and robust packaging specifically suitable for fragile shellac records.
• Combined shipping available for multiple purchases.
• Airmail priority, insured, and tracking number provided.

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Historical Record Collection

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◇ Keywords

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