On Demand
A Delicate Dance of Music and Politics
The death last month of Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn brought to mind the long tradition of dissidents who take a stand against authoritarian governments. But lately, it seems the tides have turned: Conductor Valery Gergiev has been performing on behalf of Vladimir Putin. And countless Chinese artists worked in support of their government’s Olympic program last month. Today, Washington Post cultural critic Philip Kennicott and Princeton University professor of East Asian Studies Perry Link, talk about whether modern-day dissidents still exist.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer asks where have the dissidents gone?
"Gergiev's Russian Overture: A Symphony of Sympathies" by Philip Kennicott
More about Perry Link
- About this program
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Latest Episode
- Internship
- Tapes and Transcripts
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
Want to know the hottest places to go this weekend? Check out where New York's musicians go in their free time.
More
Soundcheck Blog
Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
More
Comments
Refresh
In a United States where the popular concept of patriotism increasingly equates to "My Country - Right or Wrong," I worry more and more where American Dissidence is going. In a great land where civil liberties erode with each passing day, and an attack-dog conservative media ready to shout down even the hint of dissatisfaction with the status-quo, one of our historically great qualities - informed debate, feels like it is slipping away. With the shows on-page intro seeming to focus on Russia and China, I am curious to hear the contributors thoughts on the state of dissent right here at home.
Enjoyed this segment. what about composers like Tan Dun? Isn't the First Emperor a political opera in a sense?
Leave a Comment
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Back to EpisodeEmail addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. WNYC reserves the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the WNYC.org Comment Guidelines before posting.