"tunes for the tyrants"- BBC documentary that truly makes you want to tune in

21/7/2018

I had never before taken interest or considered the immense impact that music can have on people and society, but after watching an tremendously interesting BBC 4 documentary called “Tunes for the Tyrants”, new realms of cultural perspective opened up. Music can influence and manipulate us emotionally but also our ethical approach on politics.

"Music can influence and manipulate us emotionally but also our ethical approach on politics.

At start, Suzy Klein met with a Berlin Cabaret Artist and discussed popular Cabaret Songs. A stark contrast to the London and Parisian Cabarets in the 20’s, Berlin took an satirical stance on politics , poverty and prudeness. Music was less of an escape from a world spiralling to a bitter end than a thought-provoking yet amusing and defiant take on the era. Berlin had become a much more liberal and metropolitan place since the fall of the German Empire, which was reflected in the city’s thriving arts scene that some describe as being more avant-gardist than many Cities today.

"no-go topics including prostitution

Plays like the world-famous “three-penny opera” (written by Berthold Brecht) looked at the society from an different angle, incorporating former no-go topics including prostitution. The documentary also followed Russia’s musical ouvre during the time. Unsuprisingly, Lenin wanted “music for the people” and in 1922, an new orchestra was created. Travelling around the country’s rural and poor areas, its purpose to entertain farmers and factory workers proved a veritable success.

Very interesting and new approach to a topic otherwise saturated by triviality.