Three new publications from the Academy

Prof. Dr Albrecht Riethmüller, member of the Humanities and Social Sciences Class, recently published the study “Musik und Ideologie” (Music and Ideology). In addition, the Academy project “Hans Kelsen Werke” released the 10th volume of the complete works of the Austrian legal theorist. Thirdly, the volume “Writers and Their Illnesses" was co-edited by Petra Plättner, former coordinator of the Literature and Music Class.


Albrecht Riethmüller: Music and Ideology. Studies on the History of Aesthetic Experience in Germany

When it comes to music and ideology, one might think of how composers use their medium to express ideological positions. However, the contributions collected in this book do not deal with music as a worldview, but rather as an ideologised object. For if art in general can be ideologically charged, then this is all the more true of music, which is wordless, image-less and inarticulate, and to which all manner of things can so easily be attributed. The book aims to help immunise readers against dogmatic assertions and fundamentalist convictions wherever they encounter them in their appreciation of music.

The studies are limited in time and place and restricted to one drastic case, namely the musical culture in Germany with the early 20th century and the Nazi era as centres of gravity. The texts were written since 1980. Some of them are among the first in which academic musicology has dealt with the Third Reich.

Bibliographic information:
Albrecht Riethmüller: Music and Ideology. Studies on the History of Aesthetic Experience in Germany, Spectrum of Music 11, Laaber-Verlag Lilienthal, 377 pages, paperback, 58€,
ISBN: 978-3-89007-446-7


Hans Kelsen Werke Band 10: Veröffentlichte Schriften 1923 mit einem Nachtrag zu 1919. Edited by Matthias Jestaedt and the Hans Kelsen-Institut

Volume 10 of HKW comprises three articles from 1923 and a recently discovered obituary by Kelsen for his teacher Edmund Bernatzik from 1919. Among the three articles from 1923 are two monographs which, alongside the consolidation of Pure Theory of Law, reflect Kelsen's main academic interests during those years: With the second edition of “Sozialismus und Staat” (Socialism and the State), Kelsen continues his series of publications against the influential currents of (Austro-)Marxism and Leninism of the time; the monograph, introduced by Carlos Miguel Herrera, Paris, can be considered the most profound contemporary critique. And with Austrian Constitutional Law, with an introduction by Clemens Jabloner, Vienna, Kelsen presents the first comprehensive academic account of the constitutional law of the First Republic, thereby consolidating his position as the most important chronicler and mediator of the new constitutional law, in addition to his role as constitutional architect.

Bibliographic information:
Hans Kelsen Werke Band 10: Veröffentlichte Schriften 1923 mit einem Nachtrag zu 1919, edited by Matthias Jestaedt and the Hans Kelsen-Institut, Mohr Siebeck, 784 pages, Linen, 214€,
ISBN: 978-3-16-150787-8


Writers and their illnesses. “All kinds of ailments and no small amount of panic”. Edited by Theodor Junginger, Petra Plättner and Monika Seibert-Grafe

Prominent personalities shape their era, their work is remembered, and they remain present through their works. Less well known are the circumstances and illnesses that hindered or even inspired their creative work. This was the inspiration for this interdisciplinary book. Renowned literary scholars provide an overview of the lives and works of famous writers of the 19th and 20th century. Medical professionals use autobiographical notes, letters and medical records to trace the illnesses that occurred throughout their lives, supplemented by commentary that classifies the symptoms diagnostically, discusses different interpretations and suggests today's treatment options.

These are highlights from medical history that, on the one hand, reveal the emerging progress of medicine in the 20th century, as in the case of Thomas Mann's cancer, and, on the other hand, also testify to the powerlessness of medicine at that time in the case of diseases that are now curable, or at least treatable, but also illustrate the disastrous course of addictions, which are still incurable.

In addition, the book shows the influence of social norms, politics, dictatorship and war on the fate of writers and presents the various paths that were chosen to escape persecution and death.

Each writer has a chapter entitled ‘Life and Work’ and ‘Illnesses’ as well as a summary chronological overview. This provides a deeper and broader insight into the selected writers as well as medicine.

Bibliographic information:
Writers and their illnesses. “All kinds of ailments and no small amount of panic”, edited by Theodor Junginger, Petra Plättner and Monika Seibert-Grafe, Springer, 524 pages, softcover, 22.99€, 
ISBN: 978-3-662-71464-5