FOR CASTER

YOUR SONG II

YOUR SMILING FACE

MILLION REASONS

LOVING IS EASY

IMPERFECT FOR YOU

ARAW GABI

76 recorded Edison Wax Cylinders played on our 1909 Edison Amberola Phonograph

A. Fields - Everybody Loves a Jass Band

A. Fields - Where Do We Go From Here

A. Prince - Hop Scotch (Barn Dance) (Concertina)

As we have been witnessing the releases of prisoners and detainees from the confines of prisons and detention camps, a stark comparison with the conditions during the First and Second World War arises. Looking into archives from the first half of the 20th century, former conservator of the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace in Tunisia Mounir Hentati joins Christina Hazboun on this episode to share his research and songs from Palestine to Nazi Germany, from the Wünsdorf Prisoner of War Camps to wax cylinder recordings made in the countryside of Tunisia as we contemplate the conditions and circumstances, under which these songs were sung. 

Releasing long captured songs into the airwaves, we will be hearing recordings that were literally “taken” behind bars, but will no doubt also hear the beautiful voices of the free signing of freedom. 

Mounir Hentati was the conservator of the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace (former residence of orientalist painter and scholar of Arab music, Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger in Sidi Bou Saïd) from 1995 to 2014, a period during which was also involved in key projects developed by the Centre for Arab and Mediterranean Music founded in 1992. Prior to his appointment as conservator, he was an active member of the steering committee in charge of the launching of the Centre and the opening of the palace of Baron to the public in 1992. 

Mounir Hentati is also a journalist, who wrote for various Tunisian dailies in Arabic and French and has written two books: one in English titled: Treasures Unveiled: art works and objets d’art at baron Rodophe d’Erlanger palace, and the other in French: Le Verre Voyageur: verrerie ottmane au palais Ennejma Ezzahra. He also published a booklet on the collection of phonographs and gramophones held at the palace.


Musical Musings • Prisoners of War feat. Mounir Hentati • Songs From the Confines of the Heart w/ Christina Hazboun (06.04.2025)

The Anacortes Museum is a municipally funded historical museum featuring the history of Anacortes, WA, Fidalgo Island, and Guemes Island.

We are located at: 1305 8th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221
Call us at: 360.293.1915
Or email us at: coa.museum@cityofanacortes.org

New tracks tagged #Phonograph