MUSIC: Wilhelm Kempff and Ataturk

Christopher Jones writes: "In our discussion of music and noise, I forgot to mention the example of Ataturk and the German/Prussian concert pianist Wilhelm Kempff. In 1927, Kempff visited Ankara and was introduced to Mustapha Kemal who underscored to Kempff the importance of his reforms to create a modern Turkish state on the ashes of the old Ottoman empire. Ataturk told Kempff that every great movement in human history has to be accompanied by music if it is to succeed. Kempff, who was probably the greatest living expert in the music of L.v. Beethoven, said that real music is polyphonic and advised Ataturk on the right music to accompany the foundation of the Turkish republic. Kempff (1895-1991) was a brilliant pianist was never a party member of the National Socialists".

RH:
Ataturk's revolution more or less succeeded, but I know nothing about the music which accompanied it. Kempff's premise seems self-serving and flawed. Islam succeeded without music, although in my travels through Arab countries I heard a lot of noise passed off as music.