011. The Advent of Recording
How we experience and remember music has undergone a remarkable transformation, mirrored by the recording industry's journey from clunky wax cylinders to ubiquitous streaming and the personal intimacy of almost invisible headphones. This century-long odyssey (1890s-2020s) underscores the profound impact technology has had on both the development and preservation of music, but more importantly, on how we engage, experience and remember music at both cognitive and emotional levels.
Breaking Concert Hall Barriers
Imagine orchestras confined to the walls of concert halls, their reach limited by geography and time. Then came the late 19th century…
The advent of recording technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, swiftly followed by the more widespread dissemination of radio broadcasting in the 1920s, brought about a seismic shift in the way orchestras and musicians reached their audiences. As the accessibility of recorded music ascended, orchestras began to surmount the physical limitations of the concert hall, thereby disseminating their performances to an increasingly expansive and diverse listener base. This advancement served to unlock new sources of income, with orchestras reaping financial benefits from the royalties engendered by their recording sales.
For instance, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) made its first recording in 1913, performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8. Over time, the LSO has compiled an extensive portfolio of recordings, and in 1999, it inaugurated its proprietary label, LSO Live. This venture has enabled greater control over its recordings and enhanced the financial returns on its performances.
Alongside recorded music, the rise of broadcasting technology and its widespread acceptance have catalysed the development of radio orchestras, affording them the opportunity to deliver live performances to a tremendous regional and national audience. The BBC Symphony Orchestra, established in 1930, stands as a prominent example, having evolved into an indispensable pillar of British classical music. It frequently performs on BBC Radio 3 and at the annual BBC Proms.
Such technological innovations significantly impacted the managerial strategies, necessitating adaptability to emergent markets, and establishing fresh alliances with recording companies, broadcasters, and audiences. The Philadelphia Orchestra, guided by Leopold Stokowski, was amongst the pioneering organisations that embraced electrical recording technology during the 1920s. The orchestra further marked its historical importance by conducting the first live radio broadcast of a symphony orchestra in the United States in 1933.
In reaction to these evolutions, senior management was impelled to formulate strategies for negotiating recording contracts, advocating for fair remuneration for musicians, and striking a balance between recording and live performance schedules. They also were tasked with inventing novel methods of marketing their recordings and capitalising on their radio presence to bolster their reputation and audience engagement.
Overall, the impact of technology and recording during the early decades of the 20th century profoundly reshaped the ways in which these institutions engaged with audiences, generated revenue, and governed their operations. Innovation and adaptability to the changing landscape empowered orchestras to broaden their outreach, establish new alliances, and position themselves as crucial cultural entities in an embryonic interconnected world.
Beyond Capture: The Art of Recording
The historical journey of recordings is a tale of ceaseless evolution, shaped by technological advancements and artistic vision. In the early 20th century, the cumbersome process of acoustic recording presented challenges, with orchestras arranged around a single horn that captured the sound on wax cylinders. The advent of electrical recording in the 1920s, with microphones and amplifiers, greatly enhanced sound fidelity. This innovation allowed for more nuanced capturing of the dynamic range, and the recording process became more sophisticated. The history of recording is a complex one given the variety of early technological approaches utilised to carry out the recordings (acoustic, electric, etc.). Therefore, several orchestras (rightfully) claim to be the first.
The journey of recordings was further revolutionised by the introduction of multitrack tape recorders in the mid-20th century that allowed for each instrumental section to be recorded separately, providing the opportunity for a detailed post-production process, and refining the balance and blend of the ensemble. The evolution of digital technologies in the late 20th century further refined the recording process, introducing new possibilities for sound editing and manipulation.
Yet, amid these technological evolutions, the art and science of capturing the essence of an orchestra in a recording remained a delicate balancing act: the orchestral sound is defined by the complex mix of different sections, the resonant acoustics of the concert hall, and the interpretive vision of the conductor. The challenge for recording engineers was to capture this elusive quality, often referred to as the ‘magic’ of live performance – this required not just technical expertise, but also a deep understanding of the music, the performing ensemble, and the acoustic environment.
A Few Discussion Prompts
Do you think orchestral recordings can capture the "magic" of live performances?
How can orchestras leverage technology to reach new audiences in the digital age?
What challenges do you see for orchestras in the modern musical landscape?
How will orchestras utilise technology to connect with new audiences and continue captivating listeners? This ongoing saga continues to unfold, with music at its heart.
More details and relevant bibliographic references may be found in my new book, Orchestra Management in Practice (Routledge, London, 2024).
The author, not a native English speaker, used Large Language Models (LLMs) for editing the article, addressing grammar, syntax, and spelling, enhancing fluency and readability, and translating sections from his native languages. Academically, LLMs helped in peer-reviewing, identifying gaps, and suggesting improvements.
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