Global Players: German and Austrian Symphony Orchestras and the Rise of Intercontinental Touring in the 1950s

Sponsors:  Institute of European Studies, German Historical Institute Washington | Pacific Office Berkeley, Austrian Studies

During the 20th century, symphony orchestras turned into crucial international actors shaping cultural relations across the globe. From the late 19th century, German and Austrian orchestras, started touring Europe and later North and Latin America as well as Asia and Africa. During the 20th century, musical mobility was largely driven by political expectations but also by economic interests, mediatic innovation, and international musicians’ careers.

This talk presents the ‘long’ 1950s as a key period for the globalization of classical music life. Whereas the cultural dynamics of this period seem to stand behind the Global Sixties or are often linked to Cold War cultural diplomacy, the 1950s became an innovative phase of intercontinental touring. Exploring the first tours of German and Austrian symphony orchestras to Egypt, the USA, and Japan, this talk discusses the entanglements between the post-war and Cold War politicization and depoliticization of music, the relation between musical mobility and an emerging global music industry as well as the impact of global touring on musicians’ professional trajectories and diversity within orchestras. The multiple meanings of classical music and music-making in the 1950s contribute to refining our understanding of cultural globalization processes.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly recommend everyone in attendance to wear a mask at all times. Please arrive on-time to ensure you will have a seat. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Ray Savord at rsavord@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-4555 with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7-10 days in advance of the event.