Music behind the Iron Curtain

I am delighted to share further details of my book, Music behind the Iron Curtain: Weinberg and his Polish Contemporaries.

The book is the result of years of research and writing, including developments of ideas and issues that arose in my PhD thesis (Manchester, 2016). The book's principal subject is Weinberg, of course, though it examines how his music fits into a Polish context. More specifically, it examines how Weinberg left Poland and assimilated into Soviet music, while Polish composers forged ahead in completely different styles. The book touches on Soviet-Polish cultural relations within music, and shows how Weinberg is an extremely useful figure for understanding both spheres.

Music behind the Iron Curtain will be available from the start of October 2019. It is published by Cambridge University Press, who have a page for the book here. The Amazon page for the book is available: here.

In addition, readers will be able to order online at a generous discount from Cambridge, using the following flyer (see discount code at the bottom):

I have prepared a full list of audio to go with the music examples in the book, available here.

The research for the book was generously supported by Polska Music and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, who also provided means for several research visits to Poland for the book. Without their support, this book would not have been possible, and I thank them deeply. Further details about their work, and ongoing Weinberg celebrations, can be read here.

Music behind the Iron Curtain was launched at London's prestigious Wigmore Hall, as part of their Weinberg centenary season. They hosted a 'Weinberg focus day' on Saturday 26 October, which featured chamber music concerts. 

Media Appearances

Culture.pl
During a Penderecki conference in Vienna (March 2019), I did an interview for Culture.pl about Weinberg, Polish music, and my book:


Daniel Elphick on his Book about Weinberg & his Polish Contemporaries from Culture.pl on Vimeo.


Polskie Radio
I also did an interview for Polskie Radio, discussing Music behind the Iron Curtain, and the Weinberg centenary celebrations in London, Warsaw, and Moscow. Interview available here.


D.E.