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Music as Propaganda of Fascist Italy (1922-43)


     

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Music and politics are both expressions of a given society, whose values they reflect and translate into action. This society's ideals are taken on in music theory and politics, and put into practice in music products and in the formulation and enforcement of laws and administrative measures. However, artists and politicians may also grasp in advance the social change in preparation, identifying important goals, and promoting them through their works. In doing so, they encourage and lead artistic and/or political movements that aspire to guide the evolution of society towards the desired goals. Because of the effect that music and politics have on society, and circularly suffer from it, I hypothesized and proved a circular relationship among them: 1) influencing the emotions of individuals and groups, music can stimulate them to take a specific political behavior, and 2) politics may affect the behavior of those who make music or listen to it, favoring or opposing the production and dissemination of certain styles or genres. Methodology: the research used either primary sources (writings, music pieces, and theatrical plays published by politicians, cultural exponents, and musicians) or secondary sources (works of historians, politicians, and musicologists).

Keywords

Music, Fascism, Nationalism.
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  • Music as Propaganda of Fascist Italy (1922-43)

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Authors

Rossella Marisi
, Italy

Abstract


Music and politics are both expressions of a given society, whose values they reflect and translate into action. This society's ideals are taken on in music theory and politics, and put into practice in music products and in the formulation and enforcement of laws and administrative measures. However, artists and politicians may also grasp in advance the social change in preparation, identifying important goals, and promoting them through their works. In doing so, they encourage and lead artistic and/or political movements that aspire to guide the evolution of society towards the desired goals. Because of the effect that music and politics have on society, and circularly suffer from it, I hypothesized and proved a circular relationship among them: 1) influencing the emotions of individuals and groups, music can stimulate them to take a specific political behavior, and 2) politics may affect the behavior of those who make music or listen to it, favoring or opposing the production and dissemination of certain styles or genres. Methodology: the research used either primary sources (writings, music pieces, and theatrical plays published by politicians, cultural exponents, and musicians) or secondary sources (works of historians, politicians, and musicologists).

Keywords


Music, Fascism, Nationalism.

References