Language:
English
Year of publication:
2023
Titel der Quelle:
Music and Exile
Angaben zur Quelle:
(2023) 75-93
Keywords:
Jewish musicians History 20th century
;
Jewish refugees
;
Jewish organizations
;
Musicians Labor unions
;
Shanghai (China)
Abstract:
From 1938, about 18,000 mainly Jewish refugees fled to Shanghai from the German Reich. They included more than 450 musicians. In this treaty port, economics and politics had priority. Musical life was not at the centre of interest and differed from what the refugees were used to. Hardly any urban subsidies and no professional organisations existed. Thus, in order to prevail economically, socially and culturally, the refugees founded several organisations modelled after those they had known before. The Artist Club, and later the European Jewish Artist Society, wanted to create jobs and strengthen the cultural heritage of the refugees. This turned out to be difficult in view of a shortage of funds and small audiences. The Shanghai Musicians Association was a union and campaigned for better working conditions, fee controls and reduced competition in the entertainment venues. It was rather successful, but it had to adapt constantly to changing political and economic conditions. The Association of Jewish Precentors was a professional association for Jewish synagogue cantors. It worked in relative isolation and developed into a kind of cooperative for liberal and conservative cantors. In addition to social and cultural objectives, it also sought to balance economic interests.
DOI:
10.1163/9789004544109_006
URL:
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