Think back. Think way, way back, to a time before recorded music. It's difficult for us, today, with all the world's music available to us on our phones. But there was such a time when music was only ever listened to live; it was played by family members and during gatherings, and was shared by teaching and by sheet music.
Deutsche Austroton was a record label founded in 1948 by Gerhard Mendelson in Vienna, Austria. The label was originally a subsidiary of the Swiss Turicaphon AG, but it became independent in 1954. Deutsche Austroton specialized in recordings of classical music, opera, and jazz. The label also released a number of popular music recordings, including by artists such as Peter Alexander and Peter Kraus. Deutsche Austroton ceased operations in 1969.
The label's recording studio was located in the famous Wiener Konzerthaus, a concert hall located in Vienna, Austria. It was built in 1913 and is considered one of the most important concert halls in the world. The Konzerthaus is still home to a variety of musical performances, including classical concerts, opera, and jazz.
Gerhard Mendelson himself was himself a musician, though primarily a music producer and record distributor. Through his leadership, the Austroton label quickly became the center of post-war German music.
Deutsche Austroton's records were known for their high quality and their distinctive reinforced ring, which embraced the center hole.
Deutsche Austroton was an important part of the Austrian music scene in the 1950s and 1960s. The label's recordings helped to promote Austrian music and culture to a wider audience. Deutsche Austroton's legacy continues to this day, and its recordings are still enjoyed by collectors and music lovers around the world.
Previous Record Labels:
- Homokord
- Cairophone
- Vocalion
- Apollo
- Madison
- Cameo
- Grey Gull
- Rodeheaver/Rainbow Records
- Gotham
- Leeds
- Berliner
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
Blind Skeleton
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