The Death of the Composer as Social Critic: Marianna Ritchey on "Composing Capital"

Summary: The expectation of radical self-sufficiency is a hallmark of the neoliberal U.S. economy in the early 21st century, and the arts are no exception. The rise of the discourse and practice of "musical entrepreneurship" within the classical music field is a case in point. In episode 21 of "Ear to the Pavement", Allison speaks with musicologist Marianna Ritchey about about her book, "Composing Capital," which looks critically at the neoliberalization of musical labor, and the broader questions it raises about what art is for, who gets to produce it and under what conditions, and how the arts serve different political ideologies. Marianna Richey: https://www.umass.edu/music/member/marianna-ritchey "Composing Capital": https://www.powells.com/book/composing-capital-9780226640235