Boris Asafiev and soviet musical thought: Reputation and influence

The theories of Boris Asafiev, including musical process, symphonism, and intonatsiya, proved to be hugely influential in the Soviet Union beyond. While Asafiev?s ideas were widely adopted by theorists audiences alike, they also appropriated a generation music critics. As composers struggled come terms with what might constitute socialist-realist music, critics built discourse projecting meaning onto works via theories. At same time, multiple developed expanded his ideas. picture that emerges is multitude applications responses multivalent body work became vital part latter half Union. In this article, I survey main from writings on their significance after death. begin defining key such as especially intonatsiya. then discuss 1948 Zhdanovshchina involvement, less well-known 1949 discussions Musicology. For remainder provide examples studies using illustrate how usage and, some cases, moved away myriad intentions.