How does music correspond with social processes? How do participants in the musical "ecosystem" respond to the pulse of the times? Beyond reflecting or depicting historical "shifts", can music also anticipate major social turmoil? For example, did the breakdown of tonality in the early 20th century, followed by the emergence of atonal expressionism, foreshadow the catastrophe of World War I?
And have paradigm shifts in music history (almost) always corresponded with societal changes?

​

A significant number of musicians have actively contributed to social movements and historical changes, "singing" about revolutionary ideas, war conflicts, national uprisings, collective traumas, or ideological struggles. While music can serve as a reflection or mimesis of such events, it also functions as a platform and means of artistic subversion, political protest, and social activism aimed at critiquing artistic and broader social circumstances and responding to the "status quo" (Groys).

​

Throughout music history, various musical movements, phenomena, and works have carried different  forms of artistic (and political) subversion. For instance, the internal musical and poetic "subversiveness"  of Debussy’s music anticipated the end of the fin de siècle, whereas the subversiveness of the Fluxus  movement (active during the 1960s) was explicitly activist and politically leftist. 

Additionally, popular music genres and media-driven musical practices in both analog and digital contexts  hold significant potential in this realm. Their mass appeal, broad audience, and the fact that popular music  almost always includes lyrics have allowed for more direct and far-reaching artistic engagement during  periods of upheaval: Folk and rock could claim to contribute to social change in a way that classical  music could not (Bolter). 

Moreover, musical performance itself reflects and/or participates in social turmoil, adapting to contemporary socio-political moments or hinting at shifts in social discourse and a new Zeitgeist.
A  striking example is the collective online musical performances during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Having in mind many socially driven changes in musical paradigms throughout history, as well as the  complexity of the times in which we live, we invite colleagues to submit proposals that contribute to a  deeper understanding of these thought-provoking themes and offer insights into some of the questions  they raise. We encourage papers exploring a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: 

​

• The role of music in shaping public consciousness before/during/after historical turning points
  (e.g., revolutions, major political protests, wars).

• Music as a means of constructing political identities during periods of turmoil. 

• The impact of major historical shifts on the emergence of new musical forms or genres. 

• Music and ideology. 

• Music and collective memory. 

• Music as a representation/reflection/expression of surrounding reality in times of social turmoil.

• Popular music in socio-political turmoil. 

• Understanding social change/turmoil through (pivotal) musical works. 

• Performance as a key element of music’s social/cultural identity. 

The conference will be held in person, with an option for online participation if necessary
(please indicate this in your application).