Top 10 Astonishing Recordings

Before delving into the list, it’s important to note that some entries are particularly intense and may not be suitable for those with a sensitive disposition or a nervous temperament. These specific items are clearly marked in the text. The list is not ranked in any particular order, as it’s challenging to weigh historical significance against sheer unusual intrigue.

10. Alessandro Moreschi, The Sole Surviving Castrato Recording

The Castrati were men who underwent forced castration at a young age to prevent the hormonal changes of puberty, which typically deepen the male voice. As a result, they retained their boy soprano voices into adulthood. After the Catholic Church enforced a global ban on the practice, Pope Leo XIII provided sanctuary for the remaining Castrati within the Sistine Chapel Choir, offering them a peaceful life away from public mockery. Moreschi is the only castrato whose solo recordings exist. In this recording, he is over 50 years old, and while his voice had diminished in quality, the result remains hauntingly captivating.

9. Mado Robin, The Sky-High Coloratura

This extraordinary French vocalist holds one of the highest recorded notes in classical music. Make sure to listen to the entire piece; the final note is truly astounding! Secure your crystal beforehand! After some research, I found that her highest note is cited as either a B above Top C or a D above Top C, which, based on my music theory knowledge, corresponds to B7 and D7 respectively. These notes fall within the last octave of a classical piano, just three octaves below G10 (dog whistle pitch), the threshold beyond which human hearing cannot detect sound. The highest recorded singer is Georgia Brown, who, according to the Guinness Book of Records, reached G10.

8. Florence Foster Jenkins, The Most Notoriously Bad Singer

Despite her infamous lack of talent, Florence managed to sell out an entire concert at Carnegie Hall. She even had admirers like Enrico Caruso. Her performance must be heard to be believed. Interestingly, after she recorded this piece, she confidently told the sound engineer that no retakes were necessary, as it was flawless. Judge for yourself. (She is performing Queen of the Night by Mozart, by the way).

7. Pope Leo XIII, The First Pope Ever Recorded—1903

Pope Leo XIII, who supported Moreschi, was the first Pope in history to have his voice recorded. As the 256th Pope, reigning from 1878 to 1903, he is best known for declaring Anglican religious orders invalid (effectively stating that Anglican priests and bishops were laymen). He also championed the study of the Bible in households and earned the title of the Pope of the People. In this recording, he chants the Ave Maria (Hail Mary).

6. Lord Hawhaw (William Joyce), Executed for Treason

William Joyce, better known as Lord Hawhaw, was a fascist politician who served as a propagandist for the Nazis during the war. His upper-class English accent earned him his derisive nickname. Joyce transmitted propaganda from radio stations in Berlin, Hamburg, and Luxembourg. While listening to his broadcasts wasn’t illegal in England, it was socially discouraged. Despite this, his recordings gained popularity as a source of public entertainment, and he became a widely despised and mocked figure. After the war, he attempted to flee but was recognized by an English soldier who overheard his distinctive voice at a café. He was subsequently arrested and executed for treason. This recording captures a segment of one of his propaganda broadcasts, opening with his iconic phrase, “Germany calling, Germany calling.”

SEE ALSO: 10 Final Recordings of Airline Crashes

5. Number Stations, Enigmatic Codes

Number Stations, mysterious shortwave radio stations, have been reported since World War I and remain active today. Their purpose is unknown, though many speculate they transmit coded messages for espionage, despite no country claiming responsibility. The broadcasts typically feature a female voice (though male voices have also been heard) reciting sequences of numbers, words, or letters. These transmissions can appear random or structured. In the 1990s, amateur radio operators traced one number station to a US military base, but the FCC declined to provide any explanation.

4. Florence Nightingale, Pioneer of Modern Nursing

Florence Nightingale revolutionized healthcare by emphasizing the importance of hygiene and nutrition in patient care, a concept largely ignored before her time. She is celebrated as the founder of modern nursing. Living from 1820 to 1910, she earned the nickname the Lady of the Lamp. This recording, made in 1890, is one of three she created, addressing individuals she had worked with during her wartime efforts.

3. Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville, First Human Voice Recording in 1857

Previously, Frank Lambert held the record for the earliest phonograph recordings, but in 2008, Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville’s 1857 phonautograms were successfully played back for the first time. Remarkably, even de Martinville himself never heard the sounds he recorded. The phonautogram, a device that traced sound wave patterns, was the first recording tool but lacked playback functionality. Born in 1817, the voice you hear in this recording is over 200 years old, originating during the reigns of George III of England, Louis XVIII of France, and Servant of God Pope Pius VII as pope.

+ The Sounds of Hell, Hoax or Reality?

I understand this is a top 10 list, but due to overwhelming requests from Reddit, I’ve included the Sounds of Hell recording. The story goes that a team of Russian scientists drilling in Siberia encountered a sudden, wild spin of their drill, often a sign of hitting an air pocket. They lowered microphones into the hole—a standard practice to analyze the geological composition of the drilled area. Upon playback, the recording allegedly captured sounds resembling those of Hell. However, this is a hoax. While it has gained significant online traction and contains a kernel of truth, the claim about Hell is, of course, false.

2. Jonestown, Mass Suicide

Due to its highly disturbing content, YouTube has prohibited this audio. However, you can listen to the full suicide tape here.

Jim Jones, the American leader of the People’s Temple, gained notoriety following the tragic mass suicide/murder on November 18, 1978, in Guyana. The group relocated there after escalating tensions in the U.S. On that fateful day, 909 individuals consumed cyanide after Jones commanded his followers to kill Congressman Leo Ryan and his entourage. This chilling recording captures the final 30 to 45 minutes of Jones instructing his followers to poison their children and themselves. At one point, a woman’s voice reassures, “It’s okay, they aren’t crying from pain, just the bitter taste.” Some victims died from forced cyanide injections or gunshots, while Jones was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Listener discretion is strongly advised. For those interested, I recommend the insightful documentary *Jonestown – The Life & Death of Peoples Temple*, released on DVD in April 2007.

1. Russian Exorcism, Expelling Demons

Exorcism is a sacred ritual practiced by the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church to expel devils from a possessed individual. In this Russian exorcism recording, the priest’s solemn prayers are accompanied by the agonized screams of the afflicted person (whose gender is unclear), shifting between various voices. The audio is deeply unsettling and not recommended for those with a sensitive disposition.

++ First Phonograph Recording, Frank Lambert

This entry has been moved from the top spot to bonus item 2 after an older recording was discovered a year later, which now claims the number one position. However, to maintain the list’s integrity, this item remains included. Frank Lambert, a French-American inventor, was born in Lyon, France, and relocated to the U.S. in 1876, becoming a citizen in 1893. Lambert holds a place in the Guinness World Book of Records for the oldest playable recording, created on a device known as the phonograph. He is also renowned for inventing the modern typewriter. This recording, dating back to 1878, stands as one of the earliest captures of a human voice in history.