Click Here 194. A return to the musicians who came in from the cold
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Dec 24, 2024 Take a journey back to 1985, where a Boston klezmer ensemble braves political tensions in the Soviet Union. Discover the Phantom Orchestra, a group of musicians fighting for freedom against oppression. Learn how music became a channel for covert messaging during the Cold War, blending artistry with espionage. Experience the intrigue of secret concerts and the human spirit's resilience amidst danger. This captivating narrative highlights the power of music as a unifying force in the face of authoritarianism.
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Musicians in Moscow
- In 1985, four American klezmer musicians traveled to the Soviet Union.
- They aimed to connect with the Phantom Orchestra, a group of refusenik musicians.
Coded Music
- Meryl Goldberg coded a dissident's name into a saxophone piece she played.
- The KGB searched the musicians' belongings at the airport, including the music, but missed the code.
Navigating Tbilisi
- The musicians used coded music to navigate to the Goldstein's apartment in Tbilisi, Georgia.
- Despite their amateur tradecraft, they were easily followed by the KGB.