Folk-spectrum music as an expression of alterity in ‘normalization’ Czechoslovakia (1969–89): Context, constraints and characteristics
Abstract
This article seeks to evaluate the challenge posed by folk, country and tramping music to the Communist authorities in ‘normalization’ Czechoslovakia (1969–89) and the measures taken to limit their impact. It outlines the traditions and the historical context of folk-spectrum music, considers the reception of songs by the authorities and the constraints that were imposed upon their performers, analyses the defining characteristics of the compositions — focusing on lexical repetition and the use of recurrent themes and motifs in the creation, exploration and celebration of realities outside the officially promoted discourse of the time — and evaluates and exemplifies the use of colloquial language as a means of expressing informality and intimacy. The study concludes that, although it is impossible to quantify the effects of the music on the approved authoritative discourse, on balance, the folk-spectrum phenomenon was an unwelcome distraction to the Communist regime.Citation
Dickins, T. (2017) “Folk-Spectrum Music as an Expression of Alterity in ‘Normalization’ Czechoslovakia (1969–89): Context, Constraints and Characteristics.” The Slavonic and East European Review, 95 (4) pp. 648–690Publisher
Modern Humanities Research AssociationJournal
Slavonic and East European ReviewAdditional Links
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5699/slaveasteurorev2.95.4.0648?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentsType
Journal articleLanguage
enDescription
This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Modern Humanities Research Association in Slavonic and East European Review in October 2017, available online: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/816349 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.ISSN
0037-6795ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.5699/slaveasteurorev2.95.4.0648
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- Creative Commons
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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