Type

Sound Recording

Creator

Busch, Ernst

Robeson, Paul

Date

1940

Description

A complete three-disc 78rpm album set titled "6 Songs for Democracy: Discos de Las Brigadas Internacionales," featuring Ernst Busch and the Chorus and Orchestra of the 11th International Brigade. The songs are performed in Spanish and German. Originally recorded in Barcelona in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War, these discs were manufactured by Keynote Recordings, Inc. and released by The Music Room (133 West 44th Street, New York City, N.Y.).

The tri-color (white, red, and yellow) album sleeve depicts five Spanish Republican soldiers, one carrying a guitar. This specific copy is significant for a handwritten inscription on the interior sleeve by Paul Robeson, which reads:

"These songs of the Spanish struggle
deeply reflect the democratic spirit.
That spirit like Joe Hill 'never died.'
This album is a 'must.'
Sincerely,
Paul Robeson."

Each disc features a red and gold label with the logo of the International Brigade of the Spanish Republic. Labels include the text: "Originals made in Barcelona Spain, 1938. US copyright reserved."

The label for track 1B ("Lied Der Einheitsfront") includes a Spanish-language sticker regarding the recording conditions: "La impresión defectuosa de este disco es debida a last interrupciones de energia eléctrica durante un bombardeo" (The defective printing of this record is due to the interruptions of electrical energy during a bombardment).

This edition was originally issued with a descriptive booklet; however, that component is not included in the copy of the record held by Special Collections.

Table Of Contents

1A: "Los Cuatro Generales";
1B: "Lied Der Einheitsfront" (Song of the United Front);
2A: "Lied Der Inter-Brigaden";
2B: "Die Thaelmann-Kolonne";
3A: "Hans Beimler";
3B: "Lied Der Moorsoldaten" (The Peat Bog Soldiers).

Publisher

Keynote Recordings, Inc.

Format

Phonograph record

Extent

1 album (1 sleeve, 10.5 x 12 in.; 3 discs, 10 in. diameter)

Language

Spanish

German

Subject

Arts and Performances

Activism and Movements

Music

Archive

Camden Special Collections, Rutgers University Libraries

Collection

Sound Recordings

Contributor

Daniel Hawkins