The History of Sound

In 1917, the young and gifted music student Lionel meets fellow student David at the Boston Conservatory, where a strong bond forms between them through their shared love of folk music.

Years later, when Lionel (Paul Mescal) receives a letter from David (Josh O’Connor), he embarks on an improvised journey through the wilderness of Maine to collect folk songs. Their unexpected reunion, the love affair that follows, and the music they gather and record will have a defining influence on the course of Lionel’s life.

TALK

What does love look like when the world is at war? When safety disappears, futures become uncertain and daily life is marked by fear and loss, love does not vanish. But what does happen? Does it become quieter and more fragile? Or even more urgent?

In this program we explore how love survives, transforms and resists in times of war. Through stories, conversations and artistic reflection, we look at romantic love, family bonds, friendship and solidarity under extreme conditions. How do people stay connected when separation is constant? How does intimacy exist when bodies, borders and homes are under threat? In addition, we will look upon queer love. What extra layers does that add to these questions? Together with Eveline Buchheim we will go more in depth in these subjects. She is a senior researcher at the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam, which is part of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her work focuses on the social and cultural history of war, with particular attention to personal experiences, gender, memory and the interaction between people in times of conflict. Poet and writer Sholeh Rezazadeh will read stories that give an human voice to love and longing in times of war.