Classical Music and Xenophobia in World War I America: Eastman Studies in Music 157

During World War I, classical music in America was used as a tool of propaganda to promote patriotism and support for the war effort. However, this music was also used to express xenophobic sentiments towards enemy nations, particularly Germany and Austria. This xenophobia was manifested in a number of ways, including the banning of German and Austrian music from concert halls, the harassment of German and Austrian musicians, and the creation of new musical works that glorified American values and denigrated enemy nations.

The Banning of German and Austrian Music

One of the most visible ways in which xenophobia was expressed during World War I was the banning of German and Austrian music from concert halls. This ban was initiated by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM),which in 1917 passed a resolution prohibiting its members from performing any music by German or Austrian composers. This resolution was widely supported by the American public, who saw German and Austrian music as a threat to national security.

The Karl Muck Scandal: Classical Music and Xenophobia in World War I America (Eastman Studies in Music Book 157)

by Melissa D Burrage

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The ban on German and Austrian music had a devastating impact on the American classical music scene. Many orchestras and concert halls were forced to cancel their performances, and many musicians lost their jobs. The ban also led to the loss of a significant portion of the American classical music repertoire, as many of the most popular works of the time were by German and Austrian composers.

The Harassment of German and Austrian Musicians

In addition to the banning of their music, German and Austrian musicians were also harassed and discriminated against during World War I. Many musicians were forced to leave their positions in orchestras and music schools, and some were even interned in camps. The harassment of German and Austrian musicians was often motivated by xenophobia, as many Americans believed that these musicians were loyal to Germany and Austria and not to the United States.

The Creation of New Musical Works

The xenophobia of World War I also led to the creation of new musical works that glorified American values and denigrated enemy nations. One of the most famous examples of this is the "Star-Spangled Banner," which was adopted as the national anthem of the United States in 1931. The song was originally written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who was inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. The song became a popular patriotic anthem during the War of 1812, and it was revived during World War I as a symbol of American unity and defiance.

Another example of a musical work that glorified American values and denigrated enemy nations is the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," which was written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861. The song is based on the tune of "John Brown's Body," a popular marching song of the Union Army during the American Civil War. The lyrics of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" celebrate the Union cause and denounce the Confederacy. The song became a popular patriotic anthem during the Civil War, and it was revived during World War I as a symbol of American determination to defeat the enemy.

The xenophobia of World War I had a profound impact on classical music in America. The banning of German and Austrian music, the harassment of German and Austrian musicians, and the creation of new musical works that glorified American values and denigrated enemy nations all contributed to a climate of intolerance and fear. This climate of intolerance and fear had a lasting impact on the American classical music scene, and it is still felt today in the way that we think about and listen to classical music.