Music recorded in January 1916

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Music recorded in January 1916

January 1916 was a month in which the restructuring of military, political, and social institutions due to the prolonged First World War became even more pronounced in various places. On January 8-9, the final withdrawal of Allied forces from the Gallipoli campaign was completed at Cape Helles, confirming the Ottoman Empire's defensive victory. In the Balkans, following the fall of Mount Lovčen and the occupation of Cetinje, the resistance of the Kingdom of Montenegro came to an end in January. In Britain, the Military Service Act 1916 was ratified on January 27, marking a major shift from a volunteer-based system to conscription. In North America, January 28 saw the granting of state voting rights to women, and on the same day, Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) nominated Louis Dembitz Brandeis (1856–1941) to the Supreme Court of the United States. This month is marked by the simultaneous end and expansion of war, strengthening of national control, and expansion of civil rights.

Confirmed recordings this month: 0

Summary of information regarding the recording from January 1916.

In the recording industry in January 1916, contemporary documents confirm the following: Thomas A. Edison, Inc. strengthened its cylinder sales, Victor Talking Machine Co. announced new releases for January, and Columbia Graphophone Co. improved its factory operations. All of these activities relate to sales networks, supply systems, and product announcements, and can be organized around corporate activities in line with the purpose of the monthly pages. Companies whose activities in January 1916 cannot be directly confirmed in the documents have not been included here.

Edison

In the opening pages of the January 1916 issue of "Edison Phonograph Monthly," Thomas A. Edison, Inc. emphasized that the Blue Amberol Records released in January had reached a new level of sonic excellence. The issue went beyond simply announcing new releases; it also outlined a concrete sales strategy for the beginning of the year, listing 100 recommended cylinders to stock from the outset for new cylinder dealers, urging them to join the International Edison Phonograph Dealers' Association, and recommending demonstration sales in factory towns and immigrant communities. Furthermore, a proposed display for the Diamond Amberola for January was also included, demonstrating that the company still placed importance on maintaining and expanding its cylinder sales network in early 1916.

Victor

Regarding Victor Talking Machine Co., the December 15, 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" featured an article titled "RECORD BULLETINS FOR JANUARY, 1916," confirming that they were preparing records for sale in January 1916 for wholesalers and retailers, and promoting the products with the aim of launching them in the market at the beginning of the month. What can be said with certainty about the company's business activities in January 1916 is that at this point, the company was clearly indicating in industry publications that it would be supplying and promoting new releases for January. At least from the available documents, it is clear that Victor Talking Machine Co. was preparing its product lineup for the first sales season of the new year.

Columbia

Regarding Columbia Graphophone Co., the January 15, 1916 issue of "The Talking Machine World" reported that a new person in charge had been appointed to manage the Bridgeport plant, confirming that strengthening of the manufacturing division's operations was underway that same month. From the perspective of the monthly pages, this was not merely a personnel change, but a corporate activity that supported the stable supply of records and machines. Of the Columbia Graphophone activities that can be safely confirmed in the January 1916 documents, this improvement in plant operations is the most certain.

December 1915
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February 1916
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