Musik zwischen Nation Building und Internationalität. Italien um 1900

In this article German contributions to periodicals of the International Musicological Society focussing on Italian musical life in Italy around 1900 are analyzed as testimonies of Italy’s new importance as a music nation at that time. The German perspective on musical culture in the Kingdom of Italy follows hierarchies that are closely linked to political and economic rivalry between the two nations. At different levels (music education, formation of composers and musicians, local repertories, musical genres) well-known concepts of German supremacy can be recognized. Nevertheless, the national music debates include also phenomena which strongly confirm music as art of great potential for international consensus.