Lateness and Modernism: Untimely Ideas about Music, Literature and Politics in Interwar Britain

In the aftermath of World War I, British writers and composers sought vividness, autonomy, and impersonality in their work, reflecting the shared tendencies of literary and musical modernisms. Sarah Collins explores the political investments and influence of English Nietzscheanism and related intellectual currents on this ethos of lateness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 191 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the aftermath of World War I, a profound sense of impasse and thwarted promise permeated the political and cultural landscapes of Britain. Literary figures like D. H. Lawrence, Hilda Doolittle, T. S. Eliot, and Wyndham Lewis reacted to this context by embracing vividness, autonomy, and impersonality in their artistic endeavors. However, the extent to which these literary practices were reflected in the realm of music within the same milieu has remained largely overlooked. In her groundbreaking work, "Uncovering the Work of Composer-Critics in Interwar Britain," Sarah Collins seeks to rectify this oversight by delving into the contributions of composer-critics who worked alongside these literary giants. These individuals include Philip Heseltine (Peter Warlock), Cecil Gray, and Kaikhosru Sorabji, among others.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Collins traces the shared tendencies of literary and musical modernisms in interwar Britain. She explores the political investments that underpinned these tendencies, as well as the influence of English Nietzscheanism and related intellectual currents. What emerges is a distinctive conception of the self, history, and the public that characterized an ethos of lateness within this milieu.

One of the key insights of Collins's work is her recognition of the interconnectedness between literature and music in the context of interwar Britain. She argues that the shared pursuit of vividness, autonomy, and impersonality by writers and composers created a fertile ground for the emergence of new aesthetic and philosophical ideas. This intermingling of artistic disciplines led to a blurring of boundaries and a reimagining of the relationship between the individual and the collective.

Collins also delves into the political implications of these shared tendencies. She argues that the ethos of lateness within the literary and musical milieu was deeply influenced by the political context of the time. The aftermath of World War I brought about significant social and economic changes, as well as a renewed sense of nationalism and imperialism. Writers and composers responded to these developments by exploring the complexities of identity, culture, and power.

Furthermore, Collins highlights the influence of English Nietzscheanism on the literary and musical modernisms of interwar Britain. Nietzsche's philosophy of individualism, self-assertion, and the rejection of traditional values resonated with the writers and composers of this period. They sought to challenge the dominant narratives of history and society and to create new modes of expression that reflected the complexities and contradictions of the modern world.

In conclusion, Sarah Collins's "Uncovering the Work of Composer-Critics in Interwar Britain" is a seminal contribution to the study of literature, music, and politics in the 20th century. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Collins sheds light on the shared tendencies of literary and musical modernisms in interwar Britain and reveals the profound influence of English Nietzscheanism and related intellectual currents on the artistic and intellectual landscape of the time. This work not only expands our understanding of the interwar period but also has important implications for our contemporary understanding of the relationship between art, politics, and society.

Weight: 316g
ISBN-13: 9781108722667
Edition number: New ed