著者

西阪 多恵子

出版者

お茶の水女子大学大学院人間文化創成科学研究科

雑誌

人間文化創成科学論叢

巻号頁・発行日

vol.20, pp.261-268, 2018-03-31

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The outbreak of the First World War caused difficulties for people in Britain in many ways. The Music in War Time Committee (MWTC) was the principal organization that made charitable efforts to alleviate both economic hardships for professional musicians and fatigue of the soldiers by employing the former to give the concerts for the latter. MWTC originally started for the purpose of saving music from the paralysis the war would bring. Soon after its beginning, the first purpose sank under the more urgent one of helping musicians. Then entertaining soldiers with music appeared as a third purpose as much needed as the second one. The first one seemed to have been lost. Meanwhile, concerts at hospitals and camps offered chances for musicians and soldiers to encounter and interact with each other. MWTC organizers, musicians and soldiers tried to find ways to enjoy music together. Their musical world widened. Far from being paralyzed, music was active. It proved that the first purpose never had been lost. It could be said it was achieved through the harmony of the other two purposes.