At the beginning of the 20th century, Europe is living in peace and prosperity. The “Belle Époque” is an outgrowth of previous important historical events and developments. The networks that are created and which evolve funnel both people and their products, tangible and intangible. It is within this multi-layered world that sound recording and sound reproduction is invented. Early record labels send mobile crews literally all over the world to record local musicians. The range of the repertoire is endless. Cosmopolitanism in large urban centers favors polystylisms and polymorphisms. Colonialism, revolutions, conflicts, refugee flows; the theater, cinema, radio, photography, orchestras’ tours, but also circulations in all kinds of commercial channels in a world that evolves dynamically and anisotropically, form a complex network of “centers” and “peripheries” in alternating roles setting musical idioms in motion, both literally and figuratively. The networks in which the Greek-speaking musics participate, constantly conversing with their co-tenants, are magnificent. Discography has already provided important tools in understanding the relationships that developed between “national” repertoires. The result of this ongoing research is “Cosmopolitanism in Greek Historical Discography”.

One of these fascinating networks concerns French songs, which were adopted by Greek musicians, among others. The adoption is twofold: on the one hand are the lyrics, which are now in Greek (often, in fact, they have nothing to do with the original ones), and, on the other hand, the performance practices: different instrumentation, different singing style, often differences in melodic and rhythmic forms and in the harmonies. Greek musicians adapt what they heard to their own condition, based on their own capabilities. The French ecumene lends its chansons, which carry a dynamic tradition of songwriting and performance. Paris, Montmartre and the cabarets artistiques influence the musics of the world. The atmosphere from the Chat Noir, which had been operating since 1881, also reaches the Greek world. Music venues of this type, the famous “cafés chantants”, appeared in Athens but also in other urban centers of the Greek state. These French songs were exported to the Greek-speaking world either directly or indirectly, through other repertoire networks. In any case, the circulation of musics is already a reality before the 20th century with theatrical and musical performances tours, but also with the networks of music publishing houses. Discography is not only embedded in this context, but also plays a key role in its transformation. It should also be noted that, in various cases, often due to the great international success of the songs, the resulting network is extremely complex and does not only concern Greek-French relations. Finally, we have time and time again stumbled upon songs whose creators were born in a different place, worked in another, and, in the end, met in a third location and created a new work, often inspired by something pre-existing. Undoubtedly, cases of this type demonstrate the complexity regarding the issues of ownership of works, but also the problem of applying national signs to musical creations.

This recording is an adaptation with Greek lyrics by Grigoris Konstantinidis of the French song "J'ai deux amours", with music by Vincent Scotto and lyrics by Géo Koger and Henri Varna.

The song comes from the revue "Paris qui remue", which premiered at the "Casino de Paris" in Paris on September 26, 1930. The leading performers were Adrien Lamy and Joséphine Baker, who recorded the song in Paris on October 23, 1930, accompanied by the Melodic Jazz du Casino de Paris under the direction of Edmond Mahieux (Columbia L 2511 – DF 229).

The song enjoyed considerable success, was adapted and recorded numerous times in the historical discography (see here and here), and continues to be recorded to the present day. For example:

– "J'ai deux amours", Alibert de l'Empire, Paris, October 1930 (Pathé 202630 – X. 3897).
– "TTwo loves", Frank Munn and Ted Black Orchestra, New York, December 7, 1931 (Columbia BRC-70969 – 22872).
– "J'ai deux amours," Jazz Sinfonico Ferracioli, Milan, January 21, 1932 (Gramophone 0M 303-2 – R 14702 and Victor V-12253-A – V-12253-A).
– "Two loves have I" Ray Noble and His Orchestra with Buddy Clark, United States, October 2 1947 (Columbia HCO 2671 – 38026 and C 990).

The commercial musical score was published in Paris by Éditions Francis Salabert.

According to the available data, this recording is the only recording of the song in Greek historical discography.

The Greek musical score, with lyrics by Grigoris Konstantinidis and the title "Athina mou" (My Athens), was published in Athens in 1930 by Grigoris Konstantinidis Editions.