Sheet Music “Choicest Mexican Music: Worship to the Beautiful”

This sheet music entitled “Choicest Mexican Music: Worship to the Beautiful” was published in 1892 by the Thomas Goggans and Brothers Company, a music and instrument company from Galveston, Texas. The company was best known for selling top-quality pianos during the late 19th century, and was one of the first two music publishers in the state of Texas. At the time, the Hauschild Music Company was the forerunner for music publishing in Texas, especially music composed by Texan composers. The owners of the Goggan Company, Thomas and brother Mike Goggan, were Irish immigrants who came to Texas. By 1866, they established their company in Galveston, Texas selling pianos, organs, and other instruments.

The music sheet itself features the song “Worship to the Beautiful (Culto a Lo Bello)” by Genaro Codina. This song was a part of a larger compilation of music entitled “Choicest Mexican Music,” and was part of the third series of this compilation. The Thomas and Brothers Company seems to have published all three, from 1891 to 1892. The composer, Genaro Codina, was from Zacatecas, Mexico. He is better known for composing the March of Zacatecas, the anthem of the state of Zacatecas and often referred to as the second national anthem of Mexico.