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 network in which the Greek-speaking urban popular song participates, constantly conversing with its co-tenants, is 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 appropriated by Greek musicians, among others. The appropriation 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 music 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 of the song "Si tu le voulais", set to music by the Italian composer Francesco Paolo Tosti (Ortona, Chieti, April 9, 1846 – Rome, December 2, 1916) and French lyrics by the Romanian poet and writer Elena Văcărescu (or Hélène Vacaresco, Bucharest, September 21, 1864 – Paris, February 17, 1947).

The musical score of the song was published in Milan, in 1890, by the G. Ricordi & C publishing house. The song was also recorded several times in French historical discography. Some of the earliest performances are the following:

- Henri Leoni, Paris, 1903-1904 (L'Omnium 722).
- Alvarez [Albert Raymond Gourron], Paris, March 1905 (Pathé 22833-R - 1635).
- Louis Viannenc, Paris, 1909 (Pathé 35070 - 943).

In addition to French discography, the song can also be found in other countries’ historical discography, such as:

- "Golybys zarądała [Kelly: O aniele mój], (Si tu le voulais), Adamo Didur, Warsaw, April 19, 1900 (Berliner 1378A - 22201).
- Basilides Mária, Budapest, November 22, 1929 (Gramophone BV 806-1, unknown if and on which record it was released).

For a list of songs by the composer Francesco Paolo Tosti, see here.

With the data collected so far, this recording is the only recording of the song in Greek historical discography.

The label of the record reads “Romantza” (from the Italian romanzo)

Research and text: Leonardos Kounadis and Nikos Ordoulidis