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Justin Webb (Today and Americast presenter) explores the relationship between classical music and American political history. Today, how music reflects more recent conflicts.

Justin Webb (presenter of Today and Americast, and former BBC North America Editor) explores the surprising relationship between classical music and American politics. From the days of the Founding Fathers, music was used to assert an American identity, distinct from a European musical tradition. And evolving political and social ideals, dreams and struggles were mirrored in the music being created - from Manifest Destiny to #MeToo, from Civil War to Civil Rights.

Today, the role of music in the push for racial equality and social unity. And the challenges facing classical music in today's divided America.

Producer - Megan Jones, BBC Audio Wales

25 days left to listen

56 minutes

Last on

Saturday13:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Leonard Bernstein

    Mass (Part 6, Gloria Tibi)

    Singer: Alan Titus. Choir: The Norman Scribner Choir. Choir: Berkshire Boy Choir. Orchestra: Mass Cast Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
    • SONY CLASSICAL : G010003584083C.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • 13.

  • Frederick Loewe

    Camelot (excerpt)

    Performer: Kimberly Grigsby. Singer: Andrew Burnap. Singer: Phillipa Soo. Ensemble: Camelot On Broadway Orchestra.
    • BROADWAY RECORDS : BR-DIG23223.
    • BROADWAY RECORDS.
    • 4.

  • Leonard Bernstein

    Mass (Part 1, Devotions before Mass)

    Singer: Alan Titus. Choir: The Norman Scribner Choir. Choir: Berkshire Boy Choir. Orchestra: Mass Cast Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
    • SONY CLASSICAL : G010003584083C.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • 2.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Missa in Tempore Belli 'Paukenmesse' (Agnus Dei)

    Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Choir: The Norman Scribner Choir. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
    • SONY : G010003959258C.
    • SONY.
    • 11.

  • Wynton Marsalis

    Root Groove

    Performer: Wynton Marsalis. Ensemble: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
    • SONY CLASSICAL : 8869709-5792.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • 14.

  • John Adams

    On the Transmigration of Souls

    Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Ensemble: Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Choir: New York Choral Artists. Conductor: Lorin Maazel.
    • NONESUCH : 7559-79816 2.
    • NONESUCH.
    • 1.

  • Carlos Simon

    brea(d)th

    Narrator: Marc Bamuthi Joseph. Choir: Minnesota Chorale. Orchestra: Minnesota Orchestra. Conductor: Jonathan Taylor Rush.
    • DECCA.

  • John Corigliano

    Symphony No. 1 'Of Rage and Remembrance' (1st mvt)

    Conductor: Leonard Slatkin. Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra.
    • RCA : 09026-684502.
    • RCA.
    • 3.

  • Leonard Bernstein

    Candide, Act 2: Make our garden grow

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Singer: Jerry Hadley. Singer: June Anderson. Singer: Christa Ludwig. Singer: Della Jones. Singer: Nicolai Gedda. Singer: Kurt Ollmann. Singer: Adolph Green. Choir: London Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 429-734-2.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 16.

Broadcast

  • Saturday13:00
    BBC Radio 3

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Podcast

  • Music Matters

    The stories that matter, the people that matter, the music that matters