In the organizer's words:

The conference "Subversive Sounds" is dedicated to historical and contemporary examples of musical protest and shows how sound can become a medium of political articulation.
Over two days, the speakers will present their current work on musical strategies of resistance: from scenic chamber music in the GDR to free jazz, punk and new wave, church music practices under socialism to Jewish music under Stalinism, circumvention of political censorship in the 19th century or resistant compositions in the "Third Reich" and in exile.
The event is aimed at a broad audience with an interest in music, politics and contemporary history.

A cooperative event of the German Museum of Books and Writing, the German Music Archive and the Institute of Musicology at Leipzig University.

Organization: Linus Hartmann-Enke, Stefan Keym and Ruprecht Langer

Program

January 22, 2026

14:30-14:50
Welcome and introductory words

14:50-15:30
Katrin Stöck (Theater Nordhausen / Loh-Orchester Sondershausen GmbH): Scenic chamber music in the GDR: Intention and effect. Using the example of Friedrich Schenker's Kammerspiel II "Missa nigra".

15:30-16:10
Maria Ekert (University of Leipzig): Resistance, Persistence, Resilience: On Church Music in the GDR.

16:10-16:30
Break

16:30-17:10
Claudia Helmert (University of Leipzig): Sound of protest?! (Free) Jazz in the GDR.

17:10-17:50
Florian Lipp (University of Hamburg): "The wild boars become domestic sows" - Punk and New Wave in the GDR between repression and promotion.

January 23, 2026

9:00-9:40 a.m.
Wolfgang Fuhrmann (University of Leipzig): "Freedom had come, and we had - no song." March 1848 in the Habsburg Empire.

9:40-10:20 a.m.
Stefan Keym (University of Leipzig): "Cannons sunk under flowers"? Instrumental music as a medium for politically subversive messages in the 19th and 20th centuries.

10:20-11:00 a.m.
Jascha Nemtsov (HfM Weimar): Jewish music under Stalinism.

11:00-11:20
Break

11:20-12:00
Friedrich Geiger (HfM Munich): Musical resistance in the "Third Reich" and in exile.

12:00-12:40
Yvonne Wasserloos (Mozarteum University Salzburg): "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing". Subversion through cultural hijacking and reframing.

12:40-13:15
Final discussion

Information and contact

Venue: Lecture room, German National Library in Leipzig

Costs: Free admission

Registration: No registration required.

Checkroom information: Please lock your bags and rucksacks in the lockers.

Accessibility: The rooms in which the event takes place are wheelchair accessible.

Contact: veranstaltungen@dnb.de

Address and directions

German National Library
German Square 1
04103 Leipzig