This book investigates the place of music in Soviet society during the
eras of Lenin and Stalin. It examines the different strategies adopted
by composers and musicians in their attempts to carve out careers in a
rapidly evolving society, discusses the role of music in Soviet society
and people's lives, and shows how political ideology proved an
inspiration as well as an inhibition. It explores how music and politics
interacted in the lives of two of the twentieth century's greatest
composers - Shostakovich and Prokofiev - and also in the lives of less
well-known composers. In addition it considers the specialist composers
of early Soviet musical propaganda, amateur music making, and musical
life in the non-Russian republics. The book will appeal to specialists
in Soviet music history, those with an interest in twentieth century
music in general, and also to students of the history, culture and
politics of the Soviet Union.