P.J. Tonger

A.J. Tonger, founder

P.J. Tonger

early cover 1877

early cover 1870s

decorative cover 1895

cover 1900

cover 1928

History

Tonger of Cologne was the main publisher in the densely populated Rhine-Ruhr industrial conurbation, with a population growing to 10 million in the 20th century, including the cities Dusseldorf, Cologne and Essen. Its regional competitors were F.W. Arnold of Elberfeld and Schwann of Dusseldorf.

The firm was founded by Augustin Josef Tonger (1801-1881) in 1848 in Cologne, with the aim of maintaining the local choral tradition, which was particularly active in the carnival season (Feb-Mar).
Under his son P.J.Tonger, from 1869 the firm was very productive, publishing nearly 2000 works by the end of the century. Its catalog included many genres, mainly of light music: piano music, especially dances, violin, solo songs and male voice choir songs. By 1900 it was the main music publisher in the Rhineland, only surpassed by Schott of Mainz, and had outlived local competitors Joh. Fr. Weber, M. Schloss and Alt & Uhrig. The company has operated as a family firm in both publishing and retailing to the present.

Tonger's string works were by Gustav Jensen and Hermann Schröder (violin), John William Harmston, (cello) and Hermann Ritter (viola). Piano works were by Hermann Necke, August Cahnbley, and Littescheid, among others. Some more famous composers appeared: Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, Lachner, Wilhelm Taubert, and Ferdinand Hiller. Many of the songs were on local themes such as the carnival and the pleasures of the Rhine, in the local dialect.

Editions

Imprints, Addresses, Agencies

Imprints

• P.J. Tonger
• Peter Joseph Tonger

Addresses

• Cologne/Koln/Coln
• Rodenkirchen (1934)

Engraving and Printing Partners

Plate Numbers

• The letters P.J.T. #### were usually included as part of the plate numbering scheme. Dates in italics are estimated.

Sources Consulted

Authority Control