Tag Archives: Brecht

Antonio Negri’s catechism of the revolutionary militant

Inspired by “learning plays” by Brecht and Müller, Negri wrote a “morality play,” Swarm, structured as a Way of the Cross of a revolutionary militant on his way to the common of a Franciscan multitude. 20 May 2020

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“The price of the revolution”

I propose that Heiner Müller wrote the learning play Mauser (1970) to show that rebellion against party discipline means betrayal of the revolution and deserves punitive measures.  To convey this lesson, he composed a pre-tragic ritual for chorus only, where … Continue reading

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Betraying the revolution

While Bertolt Brecht in his learning plays explored the antinomies of revolutionary autonomy, Heiner Müller responded by experimenting in his learning plays with the revolt against autonomy, specifically, the betrayal of the revolution.  The tragic structure of Brecht’s The Measures … Continue reading

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Μαθήματα Μπρεχτ από τις ιστορίες της Φωτεινής Τσαλίκογλου

“Φαντάζομαι μια περφόρμανς όπου συγγραφείς της ποιητικής γενιάς του 2000 παίζουν Μπρεχτικά την κυρία Φι σε αφηγήματα από το διαβρωτικά εποικοδομητικό βιβλίο της Φωτεινής Τσαλίκογλου”.  Εξηγώ εδώ γιατί.  Έχω τη χαρά να συζητώ με τη συγγραφέα παρόμοια θέματα εδώ και … Continue reading

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Brecht’s Tragic Measures (3)

Scene 6 of Brecht’s The Measures Taken was first called “Rebellion against the Teachings” and later “The Betrayal.”  In it, the Young Comrade rises against the rules of the revolution he has been serving.  Is this a “rebellion” or a “betrayal”?  … Continue reading

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Brecht’s Tragic Measures (2)

Bertolt Brecht’s The Measures Taken [Die Massnahme/The Measure] (written and published in 1930, premiere and 2nd edition in 1931) is a cantata in speaking parts, choral parts, recitatives, and songs for tenor, 3 actors, mixed choir, and small orchestra created with … Continue reading

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Brecht’s Tragic Measures (1)

Once Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) began in 1927 to develop a systematic interest in Marxist thought, he turned against what he considered the tragic legacy of Western theater as configured in Naturalist drama.  Humanity cannot change natural laws and is doomed … Continue reading

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