Celebrating Irving Berlin’s Birthday with “Ragtime Violin” — In English, Yiddish, and on Piano Roll!

This May 11th, we’re celebrating the birthday of one of America’s most iconic songwriters: Irving Berlin (1888–1989). Born in Imperial Russia and raised on the streets of New York City’s Lower East Side, Berlin went on to write more than 1,500 songs, many of which are considered standards of the American songbook. From White Christmas to God Bless America, his music has left an enduring legacy—but long before those classics, Berlin had a knack for catchy tunes that captured the spirit of their time.

One of those early gems is “Ragtime Violin,” a playful and rhythmically spirited piece first published in 1911. To mark Berlin’s birthday, we’re featuring a special piano roll version of the song on our YouTube channel—bringing a bit of the ragtime era to life just as it might’ve been heard over a century ago.

But there’s more to discover: “Ragtime Violin” was also recorded on 78rpm records in both English and Yiddish, a testament to Berlin’s roots and the multilingual musical culture of the early 20th century. These rare recordings showcase not only the humor and syncopation of ragtime but also the immigrant voices that shaped American popular music.

So this week, we invite you to:

• Watch our new piano roll video of “Ragtime Violin”
• Explore the English and Yiddish versions of the song on 78rpm
• Celebrate the incredible legacy of Irving Berlin—songwriter, immigrant, and musical pioneer.

Stay tuned to the RSA as we continue to dig into the rich sounds of the past—one needle drop at a time.