« Songs of The IBM »
http://monoskop.org/log/?p=8212
Quand IBM faisait imprimer à l’attention de ses employés des livrets de chansons à la gloire de la #patrie, du #travail et naturellement, d’#IBM, de ses #brevets et de ses #patrons. On était dans les années 1930, #Muzak (qui conceptualisera la « musique d’ascenseur » et en produira en abondance) commençait à publier, avec l’appui scientifique du Stevens Institute of Technology, ses « études » sur les bienfaits de la #musique pour la #productivité et le #moral.
“[Since the year 1900], the gatherings and conventions of our IBM workers have expressed in happy songs the fine spirit of loyal cooperation and good fellowship which has promoted the signal success of our great IBM Corporation in its truly International Service for the betterment of business and benefit to mankind.
In appreciation of the able and inspiring leadership of our beloved President, Mr. Thos. J. Watson, and our unmatchable staff of IBM executives, and in recognition of the noble aims and purposes of our International Service and Products, this edition of IBM songs solicits your vocal approval by hearty cooperation in our song-fests at our conventions and fellowship gatherings.” (from introduction)
Publisher International Business Machines Corporation, New York, 1931
http://www.ibm-1401.info/IBM1401_ArchivePics/IBM-Songs_Barratt.pdf [#pdf de l’édition de 1931, autres éditions sur la page de #Monoskop]
Extraits audio sur le site d’IBM :
http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/music/music_clips.html
notamment « Ever Onward » (IBM rally song)
http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/music/wav/everonward.wav
http://www.robweir.com/blog/images/ibm-songs/ibm4.jpg 
http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/music/images/3405EO1.jpg
Music Refrence Room d’IBM (photos, chronologie...) :
http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/music/music_room.html
avec une splendide analyse de la « Symphonie d’IBM » :
http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/music/music_IS1.html
I. Allegro
The Allegro expresses the unrest and confusion of the world today [1938]. The martial spirit is symbolized by trumpets sounding the call to arms. The Allegro reaches a climax and then softens gradually in an expression of the weariness of mankind.
II. Sostenuto
The Sostenuto depicts the exhortation of those who strive for peace and love amongst humanity. As the theme of this section, the composer uses the first six bars of the IBM song “Ever Onward,” thus identifying the spirit of IBM with the world movement for international understanding.
III. Allegro Ritmico
The Allegro Ritmico begins with different rhythms in the violas, then the cellos, then the violins. This is descriptive of renewed activity in industry. Above these constant rhythms are heard the different anthems of the nations as they unite their common efforts for the prosperity and the betterment of mankind. Toward the end of the composition, the rhythms of industry acquire a joyous, triumphant tone; while the brass, playing in a broadened tempo, repeats “Ever Onward” which is now played in its entirety.
Et une présentation du livret de 1937 :
http://www.robweir.com/blog/2011/06/songs-of-the-ibm.html
And then it moves to a series of songs praising Thomas J. Watson. At that point I had an uncomfortable feeling about this. Masses of people singing the praises of their leaders and pledging loyalty is something that is historically tainted. We just don’t do that today, at least not outside of North Korea. But we must be cautious if we try to read 1942 into 1937. In the days before television, and when radio was still young, group singing, to a piano or small band was quite common. Some readers might remember this even reaching into the television era with NBC’s “Sing Along with Mitch” show.
#management #comportementalisme #audio #histoire
