Jean Nattiez as Music Critic in Amiens, 1946-1963: the Challenges of Post-war Music Reconstruction

Abstract

Studies of music critics in the 20th century have rarely considered regional figures in centralised national contexts, perhaps because their links to capital cities, and to new music and modernist practice, are too tenuous. Yet, historically speaking, it is through such figures that we can see unfold the musical life of the (provincial) majority. This study focuses on the work of Jean Nattiez (1919-2009), music critic at Le Courrier Picard in Amiens and major chronicler of the town’s musical regeneration following the ravages of World War II. Via examination of his pithy and often trenchant prose, and via analysis of incoming correspondence he received in response to his work, the image that emerges is one of constant struggle to regain and then retain audiences, to rebuild established cultural rhythms and to establish or come to terms with new ones, to communicate the principles of performing excellence, to inculcate a love of classical music in a new generation whose choices had already expanded to other genres, and to balance criticism of and solidarity with local musicians. Nattiez’s journey along all these paths offers a model for future work based on small-town experience of musical life in mid-20th century Europe.