Since the two compositions in Frederic Rzewski’s recital, The People United and Rising, both have to do with revolutionary events, his seminar will propose the following topic:  ”Can Music Change the World?”  This is a subject that was fashionable in the 60’s and 70’s, became unfashionable in the 70’s and 80’s, and has now for some time become once again relevant, but in a different form.  One development, for example, is both noteworthy and difficult to explain: the disappearance of political song.  Political songwriters indisputably played an important part in the various movements of 50 years ago, but have now all but disappeared, in spite of the fact that revolutionary movements are everywhere observable.  Politically involved concert music and theatre has also diminished, if it has not completely disappeared.