Chop Sticks; Piano Solo
Chicago: Calumet Music Co., 1935. Presumed First Edition, First printing thus. Single sheet, printed on both sides. Format is approximately 18.5 inches by 12 inches. This is one sheet folded in half, creating four panels. Front panel is an illustrated cover. The two interior panels have the musical score. The back panel is a list of available items "on sale at all music counters." Name and date in ink (Alice Addis '38) at top of front cover. This may have belonged to the Alice Addis who was born about 1896. In 1940, she was 44 years old and lived in Upper Tyrone, Pennsylvania. "Chopsticks" (original name "The Celebrated Chop Waltz") is a simple, widely known waltz for the piano. Euphemia Amelia Nightingale Allen (1861–1948) was a British composer. She composed the song "The Celebrated Chop Waltz" or now known as "Chopsticks" in 1877, at the age of 16, under the pseudonym Arthur de Lulli. She was the sister of music publisher Mozart Allen. Allen was the daughter of William Elder Allen, a well-known dancing instructor in Glasgow, and Agnes Allen (née Letham). The 1901 Scotland Census states her occupation as 'teacher of the piano forte'. According to her death certificate, Allen was a Music Publisher (retired). She never married. It is the only published piece by the British composer Euphemia Allen (under the pen name Arthur de Lulli). Allen—whose brother, Mozart Allan, was a music publisher—composed the piece, with arrangements for solo and duet. The title "Chop Waltz" comes from Allen's specification that the melody be played in two-part harmony with both hands held in a vertical orientation, little fingers down and palms facing each other, striking the keys with a chopping motion. Most likely known as the only piece you may know on the piano, “The Celebrated Chop Waltz” was written in 1877 by sixteen year-old British composer Euphemia Allen. But there are some rather adventurous variations. Here at Upbeat we introduce you to some.
But first the original. Euphemia arranged the piece for solos and duets. Instructions on the original piece said “play both hands turned sideways, little fingers lowest, so that the movement of the hands imitates the chopping from which this waltz gets its name”.
She was trying to make the hands as if they were cleavers cutting a chop. Eventually people no longer did this in their kitchen so it was renamed “chopsticks”. Condition: Good / No DJ as issued.
Keywords: Music, Piano, Waltz, Solo, Duet, Euphemia Allen, Composition, Tempo de Valse Giocoso, Glissando, Sheet Music, Instruction, Lessons, Musical Training
[Book #84913]
Price: $25.00