Mechanical Recordings in Brazil and Portugal (1900-1927)

between Music Industry, Soundscapes and Ethnographic Archives

Abstract

Based on the soundscape concept proposed by SAMUELS et al. (2010), this article seeks to provide a comparative analysis between phonographic recording processes in Portugal and Brasil (1900-1927). In the first section, relying on studies as COTRELL (2010), GARCIA (2010) and GUTIÉRREZ (2014), I discuss the controversial relations between the concepts of ethnographic and commercial recordings in the beginning of XXth century. In the second section I present some comparative analysis of mechanical recording processes in Portugal and Brazil: based on the premise that the two countries were part of capitalism periphery, I try to point out parallels between the development of their respective recording industries, highlighting the central role played by small traders as mediators between big majors and local markets. In the conclusions, I summarize a brief analysis of some mechanical recordings in both countries, arguing that such recordings provide a view of urban soundscapes of the period, and thus they could be considered as ethnographic recordings.