Harmonizing Nations: Classical Music and Cultural Diplomacy between East Germany and Japan during the Cold War
The study of cultural diplomacy in the twentieth century has long been dominated by a focus on the superpower dynamics of the Cold War, often portraying smaller states as passive actors beholden to the agendas of their respective hegemons. This pericentric study of East German–Japanese relations challenges that narrative by demonstrating how East Germany actively leveraged classical music to transcend ideological divides and foster normalized diplomatic and economic ties with Japan, even amid the geopolitical constraints of the time.
Through choral and orchestral tours and scholarly exchanges, East Germany projected itself as the steward of German cultural heritage, capitalizing on Japan’s profound admiration for German classical music. Additionally, the involvement of non-state actors, exemplified by Japanese pianist Noboru Toyomasu’s collaboration with GDR Bach scholars, further enriched these cultural ties, demonstrating the significance of individual agency in cultural diplomacy.
This case study underscores the strategic use of music as a tool for diplomacy, the interconnectedness of cultural and economic relationships, and the critical role of smaller states in shaping international relations during the Cold War. It illustrates how East Germany successfully employed cultural, and specifically musical, diplomacy to navigate a polarized global landscape, leaving a legacy of enduring cultural and diplomatic connections.
Date:
4 February 2025, 17:15
Venue:
Faculty of Music, St Aldate's OX1 1DB
Venue Details:
Denis Arnold Hall
Speaker:
Bethan Winter (Magdalen College)
Organising department:
Faculty of Music
Organisers:
Betty Yan (Faculty of Music),
Jessica Edgar (Faculty of Music)
Organiser contact email address:
events@music.ox.ac.uk
Part of:
Graduate Research Colloquium
Booking required?:
Not required
Booking url:
https://www.music.ox.ac.uk/event/25-02-04-graduate-research-colloquia
Cost:
Free
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Laura Howorth
