Communist regimes are responsible for some of the world’s worst civil rights abuses. They also produced Shostakovich symphonies, Milos Forman films, and Chinese ballet. Today on Soundcheck: we look at whether Communism is good -- or bad -- for arts. Also: Jazz pianist Kenny Werner performs in our studio. This is a repeat broadcast.
Ninety years after the Russian Revolution, our panel of guests reflects on communism's impact on the arts. Solomon Volkov, a musicologist and author of several books about Shostakovich, talks about how Soviet Russia fueled the struggle faced by Shostakovich and his contemporaries. Bright Sheng, a Chinese-born, American-based composer, recalls the conditions he dealt with while growing up during the Cultural Revolution. And, Robin Moore author of Music and Revolution: Cultural Change and Socialist Cuba, talks about the fascinating links between cultural and political activity in post-Revolutionary Cuba.
Search current and archival WNYC broadcasts. More