Soviet Emigres and the Introduction of Twentieth-century Russian Music in British Symphony Orchestras' Programmes

摘要

Twentieth-century Russian music, such as Prokofiev's and Shostakovich's works, has become a core repertoire for British orchestras. Canonisation of this repertoire mostly occurred during the Cold War with exiled or touring Soviet musicians and conductors. This paper explores how the cultural persona built on Soviet musicians by the press and concert programmes facilitated the stable canonisation of twentieth-century Russian music in Britain. The first generation of emigres, including Rostropovich, gained symbolic capital from the tensed geopolitical world situation and therefore power of influence to introduce new music in British orchestras' programmes. Primary symbolic capital passed through the following generations of Russian musicians secured a strong place for Shostakovich and Prokofiev on the British musical scene up to today's performances.