Centralization of concert system in Russia (1917—1941)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the investigation of structural reconstruction of Culture
Department bodies in total as well as concert and musical sphere particularly during
the period 1917—1941. Concert and philharmonic sphere is considered in a close
connection with historic-political and social processes of those times. In the article
we can trace evolution of party art concept leading to the unification of organizational
forms and tools for concert-philharmonic enlightenment in the country. The
author comes to the conclusion that it is possible to distinguish two periods in the
history of music and concert sphere and in relation of state cultural policy to it.
The first period — twentieth years — is the time of “spontaneous reconstruction”
and the second period – thirties years — is the decade of principal transformations
in the sphere. As a result of the reorganization philharmonic received the official
status of the only special state concert organization. Since1940 only the state
philharmonic could carry on the concert activity at the local level.