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UO to sponsor talks by Richard Taruskin, expert on music history, censorship
Is it ever apropriate to censor musical or dramatic works that contain offensive text? What if the language is anti-Semitic or racist? Musicologist Richard Taruskin will explore these and other questions about censorship during two Kritikos Lectures.
EUGENE, Ore. -- (April 28, 2008) -- Music scholar Richard Taruskin will talk about his controversial views on censoring musical performances that contain anti-Semitic or other offensive sentiments during the 2008 Kritikos lectures in Eugene and Portland.
The same lecture, "Did Somebody Say Censorship?" will be presented at both events.
The Eugene talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, in 182 Lillis Hall, 955 E. 13th Ave. The Portland talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, in the Benson Hotel's Crystal Ballroom, 309 SW Broadway St. The Portland lecture will be preceded by a 5:45 p.m. reception in the Benson Fireplace Lobby. The Oregon Humanities Center Kritikos Professorship is the sponsor of the free public events.
During his UO visit, Taruskin will lead a graduate seminar and meet with a group of undergraduate students from the Living Learning Center residence hall. He also will meet with Oregon Bach Festival organizers to discuss the controversial text of St. John Passion, which includes anti-Semitic language. The performance is scheduled as part of this summer’s Bach Festival.
Taruskin is a specialist in several fields of music history. He is the author of the "Oxford History of Western Music" and six other books. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times and The New Republic and has won numerous awards for his scholarship.
Disability accommodations can be made by calling 541-346-3934 before May 6. Seating is limited.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Pauline Austin, 541-346-3129, paustin@uoregon.edu
Link: Oregon Humanities Center, http://www.uoregon.edu/~humanctr/
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