Items

• Léon Azoulay
• Louis Berthe
• Jacques Lemoine
• Georges Condominas
• Jacques Dournes
• Jaap Kunst
• José Maceda
• Burmese folk music (Trad.N/C)
• Burmese folk music (Trad.N/C)
• Burmese folk music (Trad.N/C) - Dance acc. string instrument
• Burmese folk music (Trad.N/C) Burmese Rice pounding song [1]
• Burmese folk music (Trad.N/C) - Tonka Dance

  Record contains a recording of Burmese folk music, specifically the Tonka Dance, as well as a collection of folk songs and music with no linguistic content. The recording is stored on a single disc with two sides, measuring 30 cm and playing at 33 rpm. The item is cataloged under the BBC ARCHIVE 27026 2LP0068699 and 1LP0199913, with unidentified performers.
• Javanese Music - Street vendors

  Recording consists of a 78 RPM mono disc from the BBC Archive (catalog number 22570) featuring Javanese music and street vendors' mechanical sounds. The disc has two sides and measures 30 cm. It is labeled as an analogue disc and is stored under the catalog number 9CL0029181. The disc also includes actualities and is affiliated with the BBC.
• Second stage initiation ceremony of the Sumarah Mystic Society [2] Javanese Music

  The Second stage initiation ceremony of the Sumarah Mystic Society is a Javanese music solo featuring a man chanting. The recording is on 1 disc with 2 sides, measuring 30 cm and playing at 78 rpm in mono. It is part of the BBC Sound Archive with holdings notes as 12RH 88640.
• Ketoprak (popular theatre). Comedy: Dialogue, gamelan and crowd laughter

  Recoding, labeled "Ketoprak (popular theatre)," contains a 30 cm 78 rpm mono disc with the code BBC ARCHIVE 22570 1CL0072057. It features comedy, dialogue, gamelan music, and crowd laughter performed by unnamed individuals. The disc is stored under the code 9CL0029181 in the BBC Archive.
• Second stage initiation ceremony of the Sumarah Mystic Society [1]

  The Second stage initiation ceremony of the Sumarah Mystic Society featured a solo male singer chanting on a 30 cm 78 rpm mono disc with 2 sides. The recording is part of the BBC Sound Archive collection under catalog number 22570. The singer remains unidentified.
• Ketoprak (popular theatre). Comedy: Dialogue, gamelan and crowd laughter Javanese Music

  A rare collection of Javanese music and popular theatre recordings, including comedic dialogue, gamelan music, and crowd laughter, has been discovered. The collection features 1 disc with 2 sides, measuring 30 cm and playing at 78 rpm in mono. These field recordings provide a rich insight into traditional Javanese music and cultural performances.
• Second stage initiation ceremony of the Sumarah Mystic Society [3] Javanese music

  The Second stage initiation ceremony of the Sumarah Mystic Society featured Javanese music and a solo man chanting. The recording is part of the BBC Sound Archive, with a single disc containing two sides and measuring 30 cm. It was recorded at 78 rpm and is in mono format.
• Song by small girl

  Recording features a song by an unidentified child singer is featured on disc 2, with 30 cm sides and a playback speed of 78 rpm. The recording is in mono and is part of the BBC ARCHIVE as item number 22570.
• Ketoprak (popular theatre). Comedy: Dialogue and crowd laughter

  Recording contains a recording of the popular theatre show Ketoprak, featuring comedy with dialogue and crowd laughter. The recording is on a 30 cm disc with 2 sides and plays at 78 rpm in mono. It is part of the BBC ARCHIVE with the code 22570.
• Music from Malaya. Aborigines. Lanoh negrito bamboo jaws harp

  Music from Malaya. Aborigines. Lanoh negrito bamboo jaws harp
• Buffalo horn

  Recording contains information about a Buffalo horn folk songs and music recording on a 30 cm disc with 33 rpm. The recording is labeled as BBC ARCHIVE 27027 and starts at 00:08:45.22, ending at 00:09:34.01. Side 2 of the disc begins at 00:10:37. The recording likely contains traditional folk songs and music played on Buffalo horns, captured from BBC ARCHIVE LP 27027.
• The fasting arijuna

  Recording is a classical dance and music ensemble, is featured on a 30 cm, 33 rpm disc with the label BBCARCHIVELP19654. The recording, which starts at 00:18:24.02 and ends at 00:25:52.01, includes traditional folk songs and music performed by the Gamelan Orchestra from Pilatan, Indonesia. Additionally, the performance incorporates the art of Topeng, a form of dance by masked dancers.
• Tambulilingan / Tamulilingan (Oleg, type of dance)

  Recording is a 30 cm, 33 rpm disc with folk songs and music, as well as modern dance created by Mario. It is labeled as BBC ARCHIVE 19654 and includes a Gamelan Orchestra from Pilatan, Indonesia.
• Kapi radja

  Recording features a performance of Kapi Radja (King of the apes) by the Gamelan Orchestra from Pilatan, Indonesia. The music is traditional Kebiar music, including folk songs and music, recorded on a 30 cm disc with 2 sides at 33 rpm. The label for this recording is BBCARCHIVELP19654 and the performance starts at 00:03:05.16.
• Legong

  Legong classical dance and folk songs and music are featured on a 1 disc with 2 sides, measuring 30 cm and playing at 33 rpm. The recording, labeled BBCARCHIVELP19654, begins at 00:06:10.09 and ends at 00:26:22.11, showcasing the Gamelan Orchestra from Pilatan, Indonesia.
• Ketjak (monkeys)

  Features a recording of the Gamelan Orchestra from Pilatan, Indonesia, on a 30 cm 33 rpm disc from the BBC ARCHIVE 19654 collection. The recording begins at 00:14:22.10 and ends at 00:18:24.02, showcasing traditional Indonesian music. The label for the recording is BBCARCHIVELP19654.
• Kebiar

  In a rare find, the BBC ARCHIVE 19654 label matches the KebiarModern dance in Classical Style from Bali Music (Instrumental) album, which contains 1 disc with 2 sides and plays at 33 rpm on a 30 cm record. The album, which starts at 00:06:10.09, features the Gamelan Orchestra from Pilatan, Indonesia, providing a unique blend of traditional and modern dance music from Bali.
• Ajin

  Recording features ritual music recorded under the direction of H.D. Noone, Protector of Aborigines in Perak, F.M.S. The performers are identified as unidentified singers and percussionists.
• Nine days wonder (extract)

  The BBC National Programme has re-recorded the extract "Nine Days Wonder" onto a Betamax cassette stereo from its original issue no. BBC Archive LP330. The recording features speakers Bobbie Comber, Anona Wynn, Lupino Lane, and Cyril Smith, as well as Sydney Baynes and his Band. The original recording took place at Radiolympia and includes a mix of male and female speakers.
• Inauguration of the BBC Empire Service

  The inauguration of the BBC Empire Service was rerecorded onto a single Betamax cassette stereo. The speakers included J.H. Whitley, Noel Ashbridge, and Capt. C.G. Graves, all male.
• Mr. George Simpson: Shipping Agent Singapore, British North Borneo, Penang, Malaya, Hong Kong 1948-1980

  Mr. George Simpson, a Shipping Agent in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong from 1948-1980, is the focus of the Scottish Decolonisation Project collection at the National Library of Scotland. The collection includes three compact cassette recordings of interviews conducted by Mr. Bill Dorward, covering Simpson's work in Singapore, British North Borneo, Penang, Malaya, and Hong Kong. Additional documentation is available from the library's Manuscripts Division.
• Siamang, Malaysia, 1969 - David J Chivers: Primate Recordings - Special Collection

  The British Library Sound Archive holds a special collection of unedited field recordings of the Siamang, a species of gibbon, made in Malaysia in 1969 by David J Chivers. The recordings were made using a Uher tape recorder at multiple speeds and have been digitized as part of the Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project, funded by the National Lottery. The recordings and corresponding notes were made as part of research work and published findings can be found in various papers. Copies of the field recording notes and correspondence are kept within the Wildlife Section of the British Library Sound Archive.
• Building the Burma-Siam Railway

  In the memoir "Building the Burma-Siam RailwayTalk," a former prisoner recounts the brutal conditions endured while constructing the railway for the Japanese. The prisoners faced harsh working conditions, including being pelted with iron rivets by a Japanese engineer and working in non-stop downpours during the monsoon season. Cholera outbreaks, lack of proper clothing, and extreme exhaustion from long work shifts further compounded their suffering. Despite the high death rates and disease ravaging the crowded camps, the Japanese enforced a speedup of work, neglecting to address the epidemic. The prisoners endured meager rations and slept in leaky, overcrowded huts.
• On Korea and the Korean War, 1950-1953

  In the archive, there is a tape reel labeled "On Korea and the Korean War, 1950-1953" and an Electronic World recording on a 17 cm reel. The tape reel likely contains recorded material related to the Korean War, while the Electronic World recording is stored on a smaller medium. This suggests that the archive contains historical audiovisual material related to Korea and electronic technology from the specified time periods.
• Fish fights in Malaya

  In Malaya, Malays engage in fish fights as a form of entertainment and betting. Participants bring their own specially salted fish in jam jars, and two male fishes are placed together to display their dominance. Betting on the fish fights is a common practice, and the event is described as being almost as exciting as any other type of fight. The details were shared in a broadcast on BBC Home Service in 1961.
• Politics of violence: Malaya

  Discussion about the use of violence for political purposes in Malaya. The speakers argue that good treatment of captured communists is more effective than torture.
• Address to Forces in South-East Asia

  Speech by Louis Mountbatten to British forces in Southeast Asia during WWII. He acknowledges the challenges ahead but assures them of increasing support from home.
• Sinhalese music

  Sinhalese music in honor of BBC's Silver Jubilee. Sung by Devar Surya Sena and accompanied by an orchestra. Introduced by Alex Moyes.
• First broadcast of the BBC Empire Service

  The inauguration of the British Empire Broadcasting Service features speeches from Mr. J.H. Whitley, the chairman, and Sir John Reith, the director-general of the BBC. The text outlines the significance of the occasion, the history of British broadcasting, and the goals of the Empire Broadcasting Service. Sir John Reith discusses the technical aspects, including transmission zones, wavelengths, and transmission times for different regions of the British Empire. The message emphasizes collaboration with listeners for feedback, program suggestions, and the importance of shortwave technology. Additionally, Mr. Ashbridge and Cpt Graves express gratitude for the assistance received during preliminary testing. https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/inauguration-of-bbc-empire-service British Library public link
• Soiontongan

  Wayang Wong "Iboek"
• Singapore before its fall/Playfair

  A carefree and somewhat chaotic atmosphere pervades Singapore during its final days. Possessions and money lost their significance, and the primary concern was to preserve life and freedom. The narrator recounts a personal experience where conventional concerns, such as a stolen car, became inconsequential. After parting ways with their job and facing a depressed state, the narrator found a stranger willing to provide a lift. In a seemingly irresponsible and carefree manner, the stranger offered the narrator their spare car, reflecting the overall atmosphere of Singapore during that tumultuous period.
• Address to the Fourteenth Army at Mandalay

  Richard Chubb records a message in Fort Dufferin while awaiting a ceremonial flag-raising. The 19th division has completed a remarkable march, standing on an earth parade ground in faded jungle green attire. Spitfires fly overhead, and soldiers, wearing bush hats, tin helmets, berets, and turbans, stand at attention. The commander arrives, signaling with a bugle. The message is addressed to every man in the 14th army, celebrating the capture of Mandalay and the restoration of the Union Jack over Fort Dufferin. The 33rd Indian corps and 4th corps played a significant role, and Kipling's poem on the road to Mandalay is mentioned, expressing a focus on the journey from Mandalay.
• The Story of Broadcasting
• Two BBC Radio "mistakes"

  A recording featuring two radio gaffes, titled "The Fleet's Lit Up!" and "Music & Movement." The gaffes are introduced both together and individually, and the broadcast appears to be compiled from 'Sound archive' recordings. The content is catalogued separately for each segment.
• Scrapbook for 1924

  A radio retrospective on the "gay twenties," written and compiled by Leslie Baily with music, news, comment, anecdotes, and readings from the theatre of the day. The program includes Garrison recalling BBC recording of the nightingale and cello, Hylton speaking about his Orchestra, and performing with a specially formed 1924-style orchestra. The focus is on the British Empire Show at Wembley Stadium. The format is 1 tape reel in mono, aired on BBC Home Service on 1955-03-04. The copy note suggests it may be copied from coarsegroove 33 rpm discs (BBC?).
• Message to the Empire [Christmas Day message]

  A recording of King George V delivering a Christmas message from Sandringham on 25/12/32. This is noted as the first Christmas broadcast, preceded by the first round-the-world link-up. The performance includes a recording of 'The first Nowell' at the beginning and 'God save the King' at the end, along with an introduction by the radio presenter. However, the sound quality is poor, with muffled audio throughout.
• King George V opening the British Empire Exhibition

  A recording of King George V opening the British Empire Exhibition, with a collector's note indicating it was recorded acoustically by an amateur. The performance includes speeches and actualities, but the sound quality is poor, with audible audience noise at times.
• Java suite: Gamelan Piano music of Leopold Godowsky

  A recording of a Java suite, featuring Gamelan and piano music by Leopold Godowsky, with arrangements for tuned percussion. The content is likely copied from a commercial or broadcast recording. The recording starts at 01:23:53, and the entire duration is 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 30 seconds. The Java suite is found at the end without any introductions. The performers are unidentified.
• Excerpt from Tommy Handley interview

  An excerpt from an interview with Tommy Handley, a male speaker, and an unidentified male announcer, recorded on a BBC Radio tape reel with a paper insert listing the contents.