Music recorded in October 1897
October 1897 saw a series of events across the country, revolving around the "shape of the state" and the "speed of modernization." In South America, government forces of the First Brazilian Republic finally defeated the War of Canudos (October 5, 1897), destroying the community of leader Antônio Conselheiro (1830–1897). In Africa, Menelik II (1844–1913) ordered the adoption of the tricolor flag in the Ethiopian Empire, marking the establishment of a symbolic nation-state. In East Asia, Gojong (1852–1919) proclaimed the Korean Empire (October 12, 1897), demonstrating independence and the strengthening of the regime in external relations. In Europe, peace negotiations began on October 21, 1897, as a post-war settlement between the Kingdom of Greece and the Ottoman Empire, bringing the "politics of peace" to the forefront with the intervention of the great powers. Culturally, Gustav Mahler (1860–1911) assumed the position of director and manager of the Vienna Court Opera on October 8, 1897, marking a period in which the city's music system was being restructured through the efforts of individuals. Social and economic trends included the continued influx of people during the Klondike Gold Rush, and the freezing of rivers from autumn onward made travel and supplies more difficult.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in October 1897
One example of a recording in Vienna in October 1897 where the date can be determined is the composer's own recording. However, within the scope of this research, we were unable to find sufficient primary sources that could be corroborated with the same degree of accuracy, such as recording lists and release lists for various companies (cylinder and disc) that were limited to that month. Therefore, in this section, we will organize recordings that are dated to October 1897 separately from events that occurred in the disc recording industry around the same time (we will clearly state any matters that may have affected the distribution and system in October, but cannot be determined to have occurred on that day).
Giacomo Puccini's recording (Vienna, October 1897)
An audio recording made by composer Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) during his stay in Vienna is introduced as an event that occurred in October 1897. The content is in Puccini's own voice, and the recording is explained as being part of a system aimed at collecting "portraits of the voices of famous people" (however, technical information such as the recording date, recording method, and type of media cannot be determined from the description on the page alone).
Loss of Berliner Grammophon equipment (September 29, 1897) and restoration (within a few months)
Berliner Gramophone, a pioneering company in the disc record industry, notes that its mastering facilities in Washington were destroyed in a fire on September 29, 1897, but that they were up and running again "within a few months." While this is not an October date, it is an event that directly underlies understanding the disc recording business environment (supply system and relocation of bases) in October 1897.
Berliner Gramophone's move to Britain (1897)
An explanation from the Library of Congress states that Emile Berliner (1851–1929) sent relevant personnel to England in 1897. While the specific date of the dispatch cannot be determined from the page, it is positioned as a peripheral event indicating that the "international expansion of disc recordings" was underway as of October 1897.
