Joanna Posluszna

Sound Representations of Memory : 26 Joanna Posluszna New ed edition

The author outlines how memory is treated by contemporary artists, philosophers,musicians, sociologists, musicologists, as well as victims of the Holocaust…She paints a rich landscape of how her subject features in the work ofcomposers and their collaborators, many of whom were motivated by memoriesof the Occupation. With such a subject, the discussion inevitably comes round to the uneasy relationshipbetween aesthetics and ethics. The author quotes Adorno: “Is poetrypossible after Auschwitz?”.

The work is an answer to that question, and an affirmativeone. It must be possible: to restore hope, and to invoke and sustainMemory, at least symbolically – by artistic means. Art, even when it disturbs,brings catharsis and preserves memory.

The author impresses with her erudition, wealth of materials cited, musicalcompetence and critical insights. Krzysztof Szwajgier, The Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music, Cracow, Poland.