Censorship, Control, and Compliance in Byzantine Musicology in Communist Romania*

My paper examines censorship and control in Byzantine musicology during the communist regime in Romania. The investigation draws upon archive materials from the Romanian Composers and Musicologists Union which reveal a previously unknown narrative. Within these records, covering the years 1950 to 1989, I unearthed unpublished accounts on Byzantine musicology and on scholars writing on church chant. In addition to identifying explicit instances of censorship, I have sought evidence for the compliance with the policies that heavily restricted the use of theological vocabulary. Furthermore, I have examined how musicologists outside such expert groups engaged with the research conducted by their peers. Through this pursuit, I aim to enhance the understanding of how specialists in sacred chant navigated the intricate landscape of cultural dynamics during a tumultuous historical period.