The Swiss Musicological Society: Diplomacy, Neutrality and Understatement

The Swiss Musicological Society (Schweizerische Musikforschende Gesellschaft, SMG) has been active since 1899. Although it is a tiny society it could exert influence on international musicological movements because of Switzerland's neutrality since the Viennese Congress 1815. Particularly the position of Switzerland in both World Wars in the 20th century made it possible for the SMG to foster international networks in the aftermath of the wars. On the one hand members were always aware of the diplomatic implications of their scholarly networks, on the other hand they tried not to compromise themselves politically. The commitment of the SMG will be discussed taking into account that Swiss music history itself has never been on the spot of the big narratives of music historiography.