The Sound of the Century
Music from the Soviet Union in the German States
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Music is a universal of human culture, but its perception is always influenced by social and political conditions. This is especially true for the German reception of classical music from the Soviet Union and Russia. In the Weimar Republic, interest in music from the newly founded USSR ran very high. During National Socialism, no music was to be heard that could be described with the catchphrase “Jewish Bolshevism”, but after the Hitler-Stalin pact, there was a bizarre, brief flowering of musical exchange. During the Cold War, the reception of Soviet music, especially contemporary operas, in East and West Germany took place according to ideological principles. During Perestroika, interest exploded, special concerts and festivals were held, and a close network of musical contacts was established. Since 24 Februar 2022, this network has been at risk of being torn apart. The war triggered demands to “Cancel Russian Culture”. But Russian music continues to resound: Sofia Gubaidulina’s “Wrath of God” has become a memorial of sonorous contemplation.
(Osteuropa 1-3/2025, pp. 263–294)