Djenāb Damāvandi’s First Recordings - 1912
In 1912, coinciding with the consolidation of the constitutional government and the neutralization of plans for the return of Mohammad Ali Shāh’s forces, economic activity gradually revived, and foreign companies entered the Iranian market.
One such company was Gramophone Record, which had earlier completed its first round of Tehrān recordings in 1905, producing 216 tracks.
The company intended to begin its second series of recordings of Iranian singers through the studio of the trading house of Monsieur Hambārtsoum Hāirāpiān.
Consequently, prominent musicians and vocalists from across the country were invited to record their works on 78 rpm disc records. Djenāb Damāvandi was among these singers.
Since recordings during this period were made mechanically using a large conical horn, fluctuations in audio quality were evident. For this reason, the invited singers were required to perform in a high-pitched register, known as “chap kouk”(sharp tuning).
YouMost chosen artists were either women or men whose voices could reach a high range. All of Djenāb Damāvandi’s recordings from this series were performed in a high pitch and recorded in a lower octave.
In total, nineteen tracks by this singer were recorded by Gramophone Record and sent for duplication at a factory in Rigā, Russia.
Accompanying Djenāb Damāvandi in his first recording session were notable musicians such as Mirzā Hossein Gholi Khān Farahāni, Mirzā Hossein Khān Esmāeil-zādeh, Mirzā Asadollah Khān Atabaki, and Ali-Akbar Khān Shahnāzi.
The Musicians Who Accompanied Djenab Damavandi in This Series
Mirzā Hossein Gholi Khān Farahāni
Tar Player
Mirzā Hossein Khān Esmāeil-zādeh
Kamancheh Player
Ali-Akbar Khān Shahnāzi
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Mirzā Asadollah Khān Atabaki
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Playlist of the First Series of Djenab Damavandi's Songs
Recorded in 1912
