The Great War had a distinctive soundscape for those who lived it.

This was greatly enhanced by the phonograph, which brought recorded music to the ears of many.

As part of the event “Postcards from Gallipoli” at Goldsmiths, University of London, Professor Tim Crook gave a presentation titled: ‘Dramatizing the Great War Soundscape- How phonographs represented the Great War in 1915.’

In his presentation, he spoke about the music of the Great War and post-war audio dramas.

He said they were important to those in combat as well as the Home Front.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We interviewed Professor Crook who discussed the role of the phonograph in the Great War.

He started by exploring early attempts at recording the sounds and voices of conflict.

He also examined its importance in propaganda and the value of music and its role in the lives of those at war.

Inspired by the presentation, we have created this soundscape as a way to dramatize the sounds of the Gallipoli campaign.

The music used has been recorded from 78 rpm wax cylinders used by Professor Crook in the lecture. 

This report by Adela Earlington, Tom Hill and Tyler Hill.