Recomposing German Music: Politics And Musical Tradition in Cold War Berlin

Janik (history, Old Dominion U.) examines the transformation of music in post-War Germany as it is tied to social and cultural factors, and separated between the east and west halves of Berlin. She emphasizes the period between 1945 and 1951 as a turning point in the musical history of the country, and gives background on its musical tradition in the nineteenth-century, after World War I, during Nazi rule and Allied occupation, as well as the independent traditions of the divided country during the Cold War through 1990. The appendices list frequently performed German, American, Russian, and new composers during the period. Annotation 穢2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)