Can music be political? Germans have long claimed the symphony as a pillar of their modern national culture. By 1900; the critical discourse on music; particularly symphonies; rose to such prominence as to command front-page news. With the embrace of the Great War; the humiliation of defeat; and the ensuing economic turmoil; music evolved from the most abstract to the most political of the arts. Even Goebbels saw the symphony as a tool of propaganda. More than composers or musicians; critics were responsible for this politicization of music; aspiring to change how music was heard and understood. Once hailed as a source of individual heroism; the symphony came to serve a communal vision.Karen Painter examines the politicization of musical listening in Germany and Austria; showing how nationalism; anti-Semitism; liberalism; and socialism profoundly affected the experience of serious music. Her analysis draws on a vast collection of writings on the symphony; particularly those of Mahler and Bruckner; to offer compelling evidence that music can and did serve ideological ends. She traces changes in critical discourse that reflected but also contributed to the historical conditions of the fin de siegrave;cle; World War I; and the Nazi regime.
#1188732 in eBooks 2009-05-18 2009-05-18File Name: B001GAOYLY
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Nothing Short Of RevelatoryBy Mark H. HeggenSarah Oltrogges engaging retrospective is nothing short of revelatory. As she takes you on a journey through over a centurys worth of photos and lore; youll not only find yourself stopping to look more deeply into these images for signs; streets; and places from long ago; but also looking at the East Village of today with fresh eyes. Its an emotional journey; too--the realization that a favorite theatre; pub; or restaurant has already met the wrecking ball cant help but feel unsettling.But this is not the too-often-told tale of urban renewal gone mad. This story has a happy ending: the recent resurgence of the East Villages core neighorhoods; thanks to the hard work of people who loved it still. Sarah knows her stuff--not least because she is one of those very people putting in the effort to save this slice of local history.In reading this; you will find an East Village you never knew before; and one you are not likely to forget.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent bookBy JJGreat photos and careful researching this book about the East Side downtown and Capitol Hill neighborhood in Des Moines. Included lots of historic photos.
