Odeon Records: A Legacy of Global Sound and Innovation
Founded in 1903, Odeon Records emerged as a powerhouse in the early recording industry. Established in Berlin, Germany, by Max Straus and Heinrich Zuntz of the International Talking Machine Company, the label drew its name and iconic logo from the Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe in Paris. From its inception, Odeon was not merely a local business but a global enterprise that helped shape how music was recorded, distributed, and consumed across continents.
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Key Facts
- Founded: 1903 in Berlin, Germany.
- Founders: Max Straus and Heinrich Zuntz.
- Innovation: Pioneer of double-sided discs and the first large orchestral recording set.
- Global Reach: Exported approximately 70% of German production during the 1920s and 1930s.
- Indian Catalog: Issued over 2,700 titles of Indian music between 1900 and 1940.
- Current Ownership: Catalogues are split between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group (WMG).
The Early Years and Technical Innovations
The origins of Odeon are tied to the Carl Lindström enterprise, founded in 1897. Straus and Zuntz transformed this business into a public company, Carl Lindström A.G., and acquired Fonotipia Records and the Odeon-Werke International Talking Machine Company in 1903. While many competitors were producing single-sided discs, Odeon innovated by introducing double-sided discs, effectively doubling the value and content for the consumer.
Odeon also pushed the boundaries of recording length and complexity. In 1909, the label released a four-disc set of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, conducted by Hermann Finck with the London Palace Orchestra. This achievement is recognized as the first recording of a large orchestral work and potentially the first record album in history.
Corporate Evolution and Global Expansion
Between 1910 and 1911, Odeon was fully acquired by Carl Lindström, joining a stable of labels including Beka, Parlophone, Fonotipia, Lyrophon, and Homophon. The corporate landscape shifted again in 1926 when the English Columbia Graphophone Company acquired Lindström. By 1931, Columbia merged with Electrola and other entities to form EMI (Electric and Musical Industries).
The Berlin plant served as a central hub for processing and exporting records. Odeon established extensive catalogs in diverse regions, including Greece, Scandinavia, India, Arabia, the Netherlands, Estonia, Portugal, South and Central America, Romania, Turkey, Hungary, China, the Dutch East Indies, Siam, and the Balkan countries.
The American Venture and Okeh Records
Odeon's entry into the U.S. market was tumultuous. In 1905 or 1906, the American Record Company produced 10¾-inch 78 rpm lateral-cut discs made of blue shellac for export. However, this ceased in 1907 due to a patent infringement lawsuit from Columbia. Later, Otto Heineman, a Lindström employee stranded in New York during World War I, founded the Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Company in 1915 and subsequently launched Okeh Records in 1919. Okeh began issuing Odeon's foreign recordings in the U.S., while Odeon distributed American jazz and swing music globally throughout the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: The Indian Catalog
One of Odeon's most significant cultural contributions was its documentation of Indian music. Between 1900 and 1940, the label issued over 2,700 titles. This effort occurred in two distinct phases:
- 1912–1916: Engineers traveled to various cities to record regional music, which was then sent to Berlin for production before being shipped back to India.
- 1932–1938: Operations were based locally in Mumbai and Madras.
The catalog included a vast array of genres, such as classical music, folk music, drama songs, speeches, skits, and plays. While World War II and trade embargoes forced the closure of Indian operations, approximately 600 titles have survived in private collections, some of which have been digitized by the British Museum.
Modern Era and Ownership
Following World War II, Odeon continued as an EMI subsidiary in non-English speaking markets, including Japan, Latin America, France, Spain, and West Germany. The label's ownership changed significantly in the early 2010s during the sale of EMI.
| Parent Company | Managed By | Regional Catalogues Retained |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Music Group (UMG) | Universal Music Enterprises | Japan, Latin America, Germany, select European markets |
| Warner Music Group (WMG) | Parlophone / WEA International | France, Scandinavia, Spain, most other European releases |
In October 2018, Universal Music Germany revived the Odeon brand to release the album Randale & Hurra by the brass pop band Querbeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Odeon Records?
Odeon Records was founded in 1903 by Max Straus and Heinrich Zuntz of the International Talking Machine Company in Berlin, Germany.
What was Odeon's first major recording innovation?
Odeon was a pioneer in producing double-sided discs and created what is considered the first record album in 1909 with a four-disc set of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.
How did Odeon contribute to the preservation of Indian music?
Odeon recorded and issued over 2,700 titles of Indian music between 1900 and 1940, covering everything from classical and folk music to drama and speeches.
Who owns the Odeon Records catalog today?
The catalog is split between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group (WMG) following the divestiture of EMI assets between 2012 and 2013.
What material were early Odeon discs made of?
Early Odeon discs produced in America were 78 rpm lateral-cut discs made of blue shellac.