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The COLUMBIAN Mazurka
The COLUMBIAN Mazurka

The COLUMBIAN Mazurka

Composer (1829-1863)
Publisher
Date1857
Object number00027125
NameSheet music
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 378 x 265 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
Description'The Columbian Mazurka' features an oval shaped lithograph of Sydney Heads. It shows the steam ship SS COLUMBIAN travelling through the heads and was dedicated to the Captain and officers on board. This sheet music was written to coincide with the vessel's 1857 visit to Sydney. It was believed to have been performed by the renowned visiting pianist Edouard Boulanger who assisted W Paling at concerts in 1855 and perfumed at Sydney Philharmonic Society concerts.HistorySheet music offers an insight into popular culture and social values at the time of their production. The widely distributed pieces were sold fairly cheaply, making them popular with the general public. Music was an integral part of people's social life in the home and at public events such as balls, recitals, concerts and theatres. The Mazurka originated in Poland and became a popular fast ballroom dance after the mid-19th century. The dance was designed for couples in the style of a polka. The SS COLUMBIAN was built at Glasgow in 1855 and had a capacity of 2500 tons. It was part of a fleet of steamships used for transporting mail to Australia. After 1857 it was charted by the European and Australian Royal Mail Co, one of four vessels they were operating. COLUMBIAN travelled between Southampton and Sydney under the command of Master William Pender and arrived in Sydney on 23rd March 1857. It continued on the Australian run until 1859 when it was bought by the P&O Company. SignificanceThis booklet highlights the commemoration of important vessels and events on 19th century sheet music. The arrival of ships to Australia was commonly celebrated at public balls and on commemorative souvenirs such as sheet music.