Sadie G. Koninsky was an American composer, music publisher, and music teacher who lived most of her life in Troy.
A prolific composer, she authored over 300 pieces of music including waltzes and marches. “Eli Green’s Cakewalk,” which became a popular hit when it appeared in 1898, was also the first cakewalk published by a woman. Some of her work was published under her male pseudonym, Jerome Hartman, because, well you know, women were not supposed to do anything.
As a child, she received classical training in violin under Kate Atherton Barker, head of the Violin Department of the Emma Willard Conservatory in Troy.
Her first published compositions, “The Belles of Andalusia” (a waltz), a Spanish-tinged waltz, was published in 1894. The Troy Times wrote it up: “‘Belles of Andalusia’ is a Spanish waltz composed by Sadie Koninsky of this city and just published by M. Witmark & Co. of New York. The waltz is written in a minor key, and has the dreamy rhythm that comports with the subject. Miss Koninsky is one of a family of talented musicians.”
The next year she published “The Minstrel King” (a march). In 1896, she sold “Eli Green’s Cake Walk” to Joseph W. Stern, a music publisher in New York City, who published it (under her legal name) with lyrics added by Dave Reed, a staff writer. After studying piano with Harriet Brower, author of The Mastery of the Piano, she took a job at Stern’s company as a music arranger.
Sadie and brother Maurice went into the music business. By 1899, the family business, then known as “Edw. M. Koninsky & Brothers,” was publishing music, including Sadie’s sequel titled “Phoebe Thompson’s Cake Walk.” She became the main arranger and composer at Koninsky Music. During this time, her marches appeared under the name of “Jerome Hartman.”
During the 1920s, Sadie launched a publishing house of her own (Goodwyn Music Publishers) and also taught music and violin. In Troy musical society, Sadie was known as one of the finest violinists
In 1902, The Troy Daily Times took note of one of their new publications:
“The new military march and two-step, ‘The Return of the Troops,’ which bids fair to win instant popularity and take rank with the best marches of its class, has just been published by Edward M. Koninsky & Brothers [sic], music publishers, of this city. The march was composed by Jerome Hartman (Miss Sadie Koninsky), the author of ‘Beneath the Starry Flag’ march and many other popular pieces. Several hundred copies of the new march are displayed in the corner window at Frear’s Bazaar, and the striking title page of the sheet of music, coupled with an effective grouping of military figures symbolizing the title, ‘The Return of the Troops,’ makes a most attractive display. Edward M. Koninsky & Brothers have just issued a new catalogue of music and music supplies.”
Sadie and brothers had a retail sheet music business in the basement of Frear’s Cash Bazaar, one of Troy’s most famous department stores. In the 1930s, Sadie advertised music lessons on violin at her house.
The Music Trade Review of June 23, 1900, gave Sadie credit in terms of her role with the company:
The Review heard a number of songs from their catalogue this week, and they are of a very fine order. Miss Sadie Koninsky is the genius of the firm, and it is she, who is entitled to credit for the songs. “When I Return We’ll Be Wed,” “You Alone,” “I Didn’t Think You Cared To Have Me Back,” “Sing Me a Song of Other Days,” are four songs of the sentimental style, in which the lyrics and melody are both by Sadie Koninsky.”All these songs are being sung by various top-liners, in different parts of the country, and the orders for them come steadily along.
Sadie and her older brothers, Edward, David and Maurice, also formed their own ensemble around 1904, and were listed as the Koninsky Orchestra for more than 20 years.
With all of her brothers, Sadie expanded the sheet music enterprise changing the name to the Koninsky Music Company. They conducted their retail business from Frear’s Department Store. The firm published out of the former Troy Times newspaper building, but their listed address was 17 King Street (404 River which is the same building), where the family lived. They moved to 120 Second Street in the 1930s.
Sadie took on multiple roles as the primary composer, arranger, and song plugger for Koninsky Music. Most of her marches were released under the name Jerome Hartman.
She died on January 2, 1952, and was buried at B’rith Sholom Cemetery in Troy. In an odd coincidence, all three buildings Sadie was associated with are still standing.
Got History? Don is the author of a dozen books about his hometown. You can reach him at drittner@aol.com
RITTNER: Play it again, Sadie
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02.12.2023
Sadie G. Koninsky was an American composer, music publisher, and music teacher who lived most of her life in Troy.
A prolific composer, she authored over 300 pieces of music including waltzes and marches. “Eli Green’s Cakewalk,” which became a popular hit when it appeared in 1898, was also the first cakewalk published by a woman. Some of her work was published under her male pseudonym, Jerome Hartman, because, well you know, women were not supposed to do anything.
As a child, she received classical training in violin under Kate Atherton Barker, head of the Violin Department of the Emma Willard Conservatory in Troy.
Her first published compositions, “The Belles of Andalusia” (a waltz), a Spanish-tinged waltz, was published in 1894. The Troy Times wrote it up: “‘Belles of Andalusia’ is a Spanish waltz composed by Sadie Koninsky of this city and just published by M. Witmark & Co. of New York. The waltz is written in a minor key, and has the dreamy rhythm that comports with the subject. Miss Koninsky is one of a family of talented musicians.”
The next year she published “The Minstrel King” (a march). In 1896, she sold “Eli Green’s Cake Walk” to Joseph W.........
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