Persian Records by the Lindström Company: Triangle of Political Relationships, Local Agents and Recording Company

Abstract

The earliest engagement of German gramophone companies in recording Persian music dates back to 1906-7, when three tracks were recorded for the Beka Company and a dozen recordings were issued on the Globophon label. About twenty years later the Lindström company was engaged in the process of recording music in Persia through a subsidiary company, Baidaphone. Recording activities of Persian music by German companies reached their peak during the 1930’s. This can be explained as a result of intensified political relations between (Nazi) Germany and Persia, which eventually caused changing the international name of Persia to the local name of Iran. During this period, local agents and traders had a determinant role in connecting native musicians with German recording companies. Finally, the Lindström company’s multinational nature and policy ensured penetration of the Lindström labels far into the East including Persia.