ABSTRACT
Until the advent of Mr. Edison’s invention at the beginning of the twentieth century, the exchange of musical traditions among European countries was limited to the repertoire of touring classical ensembles and orchestras. The innumerable forms of folk music in Europe rarely traveled far from their local origins. Even as radio and phonograph records became part of everyday life for many Europeans, the musical diet was quite restricted, with only the bestselling (usually American) records gaining widespread exposure.
