Yale Library Book Talk: The War on Music by John Mauceri

Renowned composer and musical scholar John Mauceri (BA ‘67) will speak about his new book The War on Music: Reclaiming the Twentieth Century.

Probing why so few works have been added to the canon since 1930, Mauceri examines the trajectories of great composers who, after World War I, created voices that were unique and versatile, but superficially simpler. He contends that the fate of composers during World War II is inextricably linked to the political goals of their respective governments, resulting in the silencing of experimental music in Germany, Italy, and Russia; the exodus of composers to America; and the sudden return of experimental music—what he calls “the institutional avant-garde”—as the lingua franca of classical music in the West during the Cold War.

John Mauceri taught at Yale from 1968 to 1984 and directed its Symphony Orchestra from 1968 to 1974. He has conducted most of the world’s greatest orchestras and opera companies.

After the presentation, the author will be available to sign copies of books that participants have purchased in advance. Books will not be sold at the event.

Yale Library Book Talks will focus on the research and writing process of Yale faculty, alumni, and other authors who have worked with Yale Library collections. 

This Yale Library Book Talk is part of this season’s series. Subscribe to Yale Library Book Talk mailing list to learn about future events. Suggestions for book and authors for future talks are welcome.