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The Music of War: 1914–1918 29–31 August 2014 British Library, London An international conference to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Held as part of the British Library's Centenary events programme, supported by the Royal Musical Association, Music & Letters, and The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities. |
From the sound of artillery to the drone of Zeppelins, those living
through the First World War were only too familiar with the sounds of
war, whether on the home or fighting fronts. These ominous sounds of death and destruction formed a backdrop to the alternative sounds of
war: music-making. In recent years there has been a welcome increase
in scholarly attention to musical activity during the First World War, and
this has begun to reveal the multiple and complex roles of music during the conflict. For civilians and soldiers alike, music of all kinds played a central part in the battle, whether as entertainment, as a powerful means to boost morale, as a vehicle of government propaganda, as a therapeutic tool, or as part of commemoration rituals. The forthcoming centenary of the war is a timely opportunity to reconsider the fundamental role of music and musicians during the exceptional circumstances of 1914–1918. This conference will provide a forum for musicologists, cultural historians, and other scholars to come together to discuss the contribution of music in all its forms to the war, whether Western Art or popular music, on the home or fighting fronts, and in combatant or non-combatant countries.
Conference Organisers: Dr Jane Angell and Dr Rachel Moore
Email: themusicofwar@gmail.com
Supported by:
through the First World War were only too familiar with the sounds of
war, whether on the home or fighting fronts. These ominous sounds of death and destruction formed a backdrop to the alternative sounds of
war: music-making. In recent years there has been a welcome increase
in scholarly attention to musical activity during the First World War, and
this has begun to reveal the multiple and complex roles of music during the conflict. For civilians and soldiers alike, music of all kinds played a central part in the battle, whether as entertainment, as a powerful means to boost morale, as a vehicle of government propaganda, as a therapeutic tool, or as part of commemoration rituals. The forthcoming centenary of the war is a timely opportunity to reconsider the fundamental role of music and musicians during the exceptional circumstances of 1914–1918. This conference will provide a forum for musicologists, cultural historians, and other scholars to come together to discuss the contribution of music in all its forms to the war, whether Western Art or popular music, on the home or fighting fronts, and in combatant or non-combatant countries.
Conference Organisers: Dr Jane Angell and Dr Rachel Moore
Email: themusicofwar@gmail.com
Supported by:
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Music & Letters
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