1st Edition
French and Soviet Musical Diplomacies in Post-War Austria, 1945-1955
French and Soviet Musical Diplomacies in Post-War Austria, 1945-1955 investigates how promoting 'national' music and musicians was used as an important asset by France and the USSR in post-Nazi Austria, covering music’s role in international relations at various levels, within changing power frameworks. Bridging international relations, musical sociology, media studies, and Cold War history, four incisive chapters examine the crossroads of Soviet, French, and Austrian cultural politics and discourse-building, presented in two parts - institutions of musical diplomacy: Soviet and French cultural diplomats in comparison; sounds of music coming to Austria: Soviet and French musicians on tour. Using a communication- and media-oriented approach, this study casts new light, firstly, on the interpretative power of 'receiving' publics and, secondly, on the role of cultural transmitters at different levels. This is a valuable study for those specialising in Russian and East European music and music and politics. It will also appeal to cultural historians and all those interested in the intersections between music, international relations, and Cold War history.
In introduction: Musicking unto nations
Chapter 1. Tu, felix Austria, audi: Allies, media, and audiences
Chapter 2. Soviet cultural propaganda and its agents in Moscow and Austria
Chapter 3. Information and cultural services in the French administration: Institutional diplomatie culturelle in occupied Austria
Chapter 4. The Russians are coming!: Soviet guest tours between Tchaikovsky and Stalin
Chapter 5. The Gallic muse coming to Austria: Cultural diplomats, musicians, and Austrian audiences
Conclusion. When muses speak, guns will be silent? What can be learned from French and Soviet musical diplomacy?
Biography
Alexander Golovlev is Senior Research Fellow at the HSE University.
