Music recorded in April 1915
April 1915 was a month in which the world was caught between the intensification of World War I and the diplomatic and social movements progressing amidst it. On the Western Front, the Second Battle of Ypres began on April 22, and the large-scale chlorine gas attack by the German Empire dramatically altered the nature of the war. On April 24, Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian leaders en masse in Constantinople, marking the beginning of what would later be remembered as the Armenian Genocide. On April 25, the Gallipoli Campaign began, shifting the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean to a new phase. On April 26, the Treaty of London was signed, establishing a diplomatic framework to encourage the Kingdom of Italy to enter the war. Meanwhile, from April 28 to May 1, the International Congress of Women was held in The Hague, making visible the international solidarity of women seeking peace and international cooperation even during wartime.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the April 1915 recording.
April 1915 was a month in the recording industry where corporate activities such as reorganizing sales territories, improving supply, strengthening live performances, exhibiting at World's Fairs, and launching advertising campaigns were more prominent than the release of new albums. Thomas A. Edison, Inc. implemented a regional system to revise the distribution of Edison Diamond Discs, while Columbia Graphophone Company announced increased production and intensified advertising. Victor Talking Machine Company improved its order and shipping system and expanded its live performance operations, and Pathé Frères Phonograph Co. introduced new models and sought out distributors. Furthermore, Sonora Phonograph Co. and The Aeolian Co. also sought to expand their sales channels through exhibitions and in-store concerts, making April 1915 a month in which each company competed to meet increased demand while also showcasing their sales methods.
Edison
On April 1, 1915, Thomas A. Edison, Inc. implemented the "Zone Plan," a revised distribution system for Edison Diamond Discs. This system clarified the territories of each jobber and strengthened service responsibilities to retailers, representing a significant restructuring that can be observed in the company's activities that month. In addition, on April 5, 1915, Minnesota Phonograph Co. began daily dance demonstrations at its new Edison store in Minneapolis, strengthening in-store experiential sales. Furthermore, on April 5, Silverstone Music Co. began an endurance demonstration in which they continuously hammered an Edison Diamond Disc, and their continued prolonged demonstration was reported in subsequent issues. April was a month in which Edison simultaneously implemented distribution restructuring under the new system and strengthened sales demonstrations.
- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Edison-Phonograph/Edison-Phonograph-Monthly-1915-Vol-13.pdf
- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Talking-Machine/10s/Talking-Machine-1915-04.pdf
Columbia
In the April 1915 issue of an industry journal, Columbia Graphophone Company announced that it had increased factory output again to meet the growing demand for the Columbia Grafonola and Columbia Double-Disc. Furthermore, in San Francisco, the company continued its extensive public relations campaign using newspaper advertisements and worked with distributors to stimulate demand. At the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Columbia's exhibit was one of the few completed on opening day and attracted a large number of visitors. April 1915 was a month of clear offensive for Columbia, combining increased production, advertising, and exhibition displays.
Victor
By April 1915, the Victor Talking Machine Company was making improvements to its order processing and shipping systems. The Chicago column reported that company representatives were traveling around explaining the new record ordering system and were also conducting surveys of shipping facilities in anticipation of the operation of new distribution centers. Furthermore, the "Victor Temple of Music" at the Panama-Pacific World's Fair maintained high attendance, with San Francisco reports indicating that daily visitor numbers never fell below 1,500, and on busy days, more than double that number. In April 1915, Victor was demonstrating its presence both through the development of its supply chain and large-scale performances.
putty
In its April 1915 issue, Pathé Frères Phonograph Co. announced the launch of its new $200 model, the Pathephone. This new model was touted as being able to play not only Pathé records of various sizes but also records from other companies, a feature that salespeople explained was effective in closing deals. At the same time, the company advertised its plan to establish independent dealers in cities with a population of over 25,000, and promoted the expansion of its sales channels by emphasizing that "the new model is ready." April was a month in which Pathé pursued both the launch of its new model and the expansion of its dealer network simultaneously.
Sonora
A San Francisco newspaper from April 1915 prominently featured Sonora Phonograph Co.'s exhibit at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The exhibit was elaborately designed, consisting of a main exhibit, a rest area, and a performance room, and strongly emphasized its trademark design featuring a "bell," emphasizing the importance of making a lasting impression on visitors. In addition, the same issue reported that the company was using magazine advertisements to promote its special needles, and that these advertisements were functioning as support for its retailers. It can be seen that in April 1915, Sonora was expanding its sales channels through both the exhibition exhibit and advertising promotions.
Aeolian Vocalion
The Aeolian Co.'s Vocalion also has promotional activities for that month documented in the April 1915 issue of an industry journal. The St. Louis section reports that Aeolian-Vocalion is running a special advertising campaign, and that machine advertising, rather than relying on traditional dealers, is becoming more prominent. The Indianapolis section confirms that the company was holding short midday concerts at the Vocalion salons in Aeolian Hall for customers visiting during their lunch break. In April, Aeolian-Vocalion combined advertising with in-store concerts to create points of contact with new customers.
