Exploring Socialist Realism in Soviet Music through Three Composers

Socialist Realism is a thoroughly analysed topic within discussions of art in the Soviet Union. However, despite the extent of the discussion, the approach to making music Socialist Realist is not as clearly understood. This talk, led by Ben Lunn, will introduce the nature of the theory, and how individuals like Boris Asafiev initially laid the foundations for composers to understand Socialist Realism. Then Ben will reflect on how three different composers were able to incorporate this thinking into their work - through quotation in Boris Lyatoshinsky, iconography in Alexander Mosolov, or the rejuvenation of folk traditions within the work of Julius Juzeliunas.

Ben Lunn has forged himself a unique position within the new music landscape. As a composer, Lunn's music reflects such areas as the material world around him, connecting to his North-Eastern heritage; or how disability impacts the world around him; or his working-class upbringing. Alongside this, he has become renowned for his championship of others, which has seen him create collaborations with musicians from across the globe, and develop unique concert experiences and opportunities for others. Alongside this, Ben Lunn's academic pursuits have included music in the Baltic, music and socialist politics, and music and disability. His PhD research focused on how composers incorporate politics into their work.

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RECORDING:
The talk will be recorded and a link to the recording will be emailed to everyone who books within 48 hours of the end of the talk. So you can book and listen to the talk later, even if you are not free to login live on the day.