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Tomoff deftly challenges the mythology of the martyred Soviet artist. His thoroughly researched study explores not only the institutional structures and bureaucratic processes of the Composers' Union but also the personal and professional networks within it that protected members and preserved artistic values. Tomoff ably balances high politics and personal relationships to show how Soviet composers successfully negotiated shifting ideological terrain.... This study provides a much-needed corrective to the traditional interpretation of Stalinist musical life and makes an important contribution to Russian cultural and political history. It will fascinate all those interested in the complex relationship between music, society, and the wielders of political power. * Russian Review * Based on exhaustive archival research, Creative Union shows how Soviet musicians consolidated, exercised, and defended professional authority in the perilous, ideologically charged atmosphere of Stalin's Russia. Kiril Tomoff's impressive, highly original work provides a compelling corrective to widely held assumptions about the status of creative intellectuals in authoritarian regimes. A valuable contribution to the field of Russian-Soviet history generally, this book has particular resonance for those interested in the nature of the Stalinist system, the formation and perpetuation of the Stalinist cultural elite, the impact of World War II on Soviet cultural life, the nexus between political power and cultural authority, and the effect of officially sanctioned anti-Semitism on creative elites. -- Amy Nelson, Virginia Tech, author of <I>Music for the Revolution: Musicians and Power in Early Soviet Russia</I>

Successfully probes beneath the surface of party resolutions to show the sometimes haphazard realities of Soviet musical politics. * The English Historical Review * In his comprehensive yet tightly woven study of the Union of Soviet Composers, Kiril Tomoff shifts the debate about art and politics from the individual to the union.... Tomoff presents a compelling model-and ultimately a more humanly conceivable one-of how an organization mandated by the state to oversee a profession may, in fundamental if unsung ways, close ranks to protect that profession instead. * Artforum International * Kiril Tomoff's Creative Union represents a milestone in the literature on the musical life of the Stalin-era Soviet Union by addressing for the first time the need for a comprehensive study of the Soviet Composers' Union.... An excellent and most welcome study of an institution that stood as one of the cornerstones of Soviet musical life. Many a scholar will benefit from Tomoff's excellent work, particularly those interested in broad issues of music and politics, as well as those concerned with more specific issues of Stalinist culture and the enormous impact of World War II on Soviet cultural life. * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association * Tomoff's important study adds much to our knowledge of Soviet conditions and modifies many preconceptions. * Musical Times * Tomoff's detailed interpretation moves brilliantly beyond the heroic narrative and disaggregates the idea of a unified 'state' to tell the story of Soviet music production in a much broader and complicated context.... In analyzing the evolving relationship between artistic production and political power in the USSR, Tomoff provides a fresh and convincing account of the intricate workings of the post-war Stalinist system. * Social History * An energetic and enthusiastic contribution to the discussion. * The Slavonic and East European Review * One of the finest books written on Soviet music life.... This work will be of interest not only to specialists on Soviet musical life but also to those who want to gain an insight into the relationship between artists and organs of state and into how an elite was created and perpetuated during the Stalin period.... Creative Union is therefore a book that successfully challenges long-held preconceptions about Soviet musical life in the period 1939-1953. * Slavic Review * The result of original and highly detailed archival research, this book presents a wealth of new information and analyses. By concentrating on the professional organization of composers and music critics, [Tomoff] is able to cast new light on the paradox between state repression and the creative material successes of the Stalin era.... An original and highly informative contribution to scholarship on cultural elites in Stalin's Soviet Union. * Europe-Asia Studies * A fascinating read. * American Journal of Sociology * A level-headed yet provocative examination of the creation, structure, and workings of the Composers' Union in the USSR at the end of the Stalin period. Tomoff provides the most detailed discussion thus far of the official organization that allowed Soviet composers and musicologists to practice their trades, and the sobriety with which he evaluates his rich archival materials is much appreciated.... A valuable contribution to our understanding of musical production in the USSR; it will undoubtedly help foster productive debate about the politics and practices of the Composers' Union and Soviet music in general. * The American Historical Review * Tomoff's book is precisely the kind that historians of Soviet musical culture most need right now: a repository of solid documented facts, interpreted with a light touch that strives only to outline general observations from the evidence he presents.... It is invaluable to have such a wealth of concrete detail at one's fingertips at long last. * Music and Letters * Tomoff's most significant achievement is to have taken full advantage of newly opened archives: the argument in each of his ten chapters is backed up by exhaustive documentation from previously unpublished sources.... [A] considerable contribution to the field of Soviet cultural history.... Musicologists and historians have much cause to be grateful to the author for the assiduous way in which he has compiled the detailed case study presented here. * The Journal of Modern History * Tomoff deftly challenges the mythology of the martyred Soviet artist. His thoroughly researched study explores not only the institutional structures and bureaucratic processes of the Composers' Union but also the personal and professional networks within it that protected members and preserved artistic values. Tomoff ably balances high politics and personal relationships to show how Soviet composers successfully negotiated shifting ideological terrain.... This study provides a much-needed corrective to the traditional interpretation of Stalinist musical life and makes an important contribution to Russian cultural and political history. It will fascinate all those interested in the complex relationship between music, society, and the wielders of political power. * Russian Review * This excellent book fills an important void in the diverse and growing body of literature on Stalinist culture.... Based on diligent, exhaustive archival research in Moscow, this study also develops a sophisticated conceptual apparatus.... Remarkably well researched, with every minute detail of the composers' everyday life and work duly clarified and placed in its proper context.... An excellent and innovative book that explains many intricate facts related to the functioning of Stalinist culture. It will be read widely by historians of the Soviet Union and historians of music. * Ab Imperio * Impressive.... Tomoff has given us both detail and a broad new way of thinking about the mechanisms of Soviet ideological control. It undermines many of the broad, standardized approaches to Soviet culture and provides a nuanced appreciation of the opportunities and constraints that shaped Soviet music during the years when Stalin was alive. It is a text that should be read by anyone interested in the cultural dynamics of the Soviet Union. * European History Quarterly *

Impressive.... Tomoff has given us both detail and a broad new way of thinking about the mechanisms of Soviet ideological control. It undermines many of the broad, standardized approaches to Soviet culture and provides a nuanced appreciation of the opportunities and constraints that shaped Soviet music during the years when Stalin was alive. It is a text that should be read by anyone interested in the cultural dynamics of the Soviet Union. * European History Quarterly * This excellent book fills an important void in the diverse and growing body of literature on Stalinist culture.... Based on diligent, exhaustive archival research in Moscow, this study also develops a sophisticated conceptual apparatus.... Remarkably well researched, with every minute detail of the composers' everyday life and work duly clarified and placed in its proper context.... An excellent and innovative book that explains many intricate facts related to the functioning of Stalinist culture. It will be read widely by historians of the Soviet Union and historians of music. * Ab Imperio * Tomoff deftly challenges the mythology of the martyred Soviet artist. His thoroughly researched study explores not only the institutional structures and bureaucratic processes of the Composers' Union but also the personal and professional networks within it that protected members and preserved artistic values. Tomoff ably balances high politics and personal relationships to show how Soviet composers successfully negotiated shifting ideological terrain.... This study provides a much-needed corrective to the traditional interpretation of Stalinist musical life and makes an important contribution to Russian cultural and political history. It will fascinate all those interested in the complex relationship between music, society, and the wielders of political power. * Russian Review * Tomoff's most significant achievement is to have taken full advantage of newly opened archives: the argument in each of his ten chapters is backed up by exhaustive documentation from previously unpublished sources.... [A] considerable contribution to the field of Soviet cultural history.... Musicologists and historians have much cause to be grateful to the author for the assiduous way in which he has compiled the detailed case study presented here. * The Journal of Modern History * Tomoff's book is precisely the kind that historians of Soviet musical culture most need right now: a repository of solid documented facts, interpreted with a light touch that strives only to outline general observations from the evidence he presents.... It is invaluable to have such a wealth of concrete detail at one's fingertips at long last. * Music and Letters * A level-headed yet provocative examination of the creation, structure, and workings of the Composers' Union in the USSR at the end of the Stalin period. Tomoff provides the most detailed discussion thus far of the official organization that allowed Soviet composers and musicologists to practice their trades, and the sobriety with which he evaluates his rich archival materials is much appreciated.... A valuable contribution to our understanding of musical production in the USSR; it will undoubtedly help foster productive debate about the politics and practices of the Composers' Union and Soviet music in general. * The American Historical Review * A fascinating read. * American Journal of Sociology * The result of original and highly detailed archival research, this book presents a wealth of new information and analyses. By concentrating on the professional organization of composers and music critics, [Tomoff] is able to cast new light on the paradox between state repression and the creative material successes of the Stalin era.... An original and highly informative contribution to scholarship on cultural elites in Stalin's Soviet Union. * Europe-Asia Studies * One of the finest books written on Soviet music life.... This work will be of interest not only to specialists on Soviet musical life but also to those who want to gain an insight into the relationship between artists and organs of state and into how an elite was created and perpetuated during the Stalin period.... Creative Union is therefore a book that successfully challenges long-held preconceptions about Soviet musical life in the period 1939-1953. * Slavic Review * An energetic and enthusiastic contribution to the discussion. * The Slavonic and East European Review * Tomoff's detailed interpretation moves brilliantly beyond the heroic narrative and disaggregates the idea of a unified 'state' to tell the story of Soviet music production in a much broader and complicated context.... In analyzing the evolving relationship between artistic production and political power in the USSR, Tomoff provides a fresh and convincing account of the intricate workings of the post-war Stalinist system. * Social History * Tomoff's important study adds much to our knowledge of Soviet conditions and modifies many preconceptions. * Musical Times * Kiril Tomoff's Creative Union represents a milestone in the literature on the musical life of the Stalin-era Soviet Union by addressing for the first time the need for a comprehensive study of the Soviet Composers' Union.... An excellent and most welcome study of an institution that stood as one of the cornerstones of Soviet musical life. Many a scholar will benefit from Tomoff's excellent work, particularly those interested in broad issues of music and politics, as well as those concerned with more specific issues of Stalinist culture and the enormous impact of World War II on Soviet cultural life. * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association * In his comprehensive yet tightly woven study of the Union of Soviet Composers, Kiril Tomoff shifts the debate about art and politics from the individual to the union.... Tomoff presents a compelling model-and ultimately a more humanly conceivable one-of how an organization mandated by the state to oversee a profession may, in fundamental if unsung ways, close ranks to protect that profession instead. * Artforum International * Successfully probes beneath the surface of party resolutions to show the sometimes haphazard realities of Soviet musical politics. * The English Historical Review *

Author Information

Kiril Tomoff is Professor of History at the University of California, Riverside. He is the author of Virtuosi Abroad: Soviet Music and Imperial Competition during the Early Cold War, 1945–1958 and Creative Union: The Professional Organization of Soviet Composers, 1939–1953, both from Cornell.

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