2: Manifest Destiny

Available for 27 days

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. In today's episode: Manifest Destiny and the American frontier. We explore how nineteenth century American classical music reflected the romance and danger of the push westwards, as well as the ideological conviction of the United States' right to expand its territory. And learn about Lincoln's fondness for the harmonica. With conductor Marin Alsop. Readers: Sasha McCabe, Clive Hayward and Patrick Robinson. Producer Emma Harding, BBC Audio Wales George Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue Antonio Serrano (harmonica), Federico Lechner (piano) Aaron Copland Billy the Kid: The Open Prairie San Francisco Orchestra Conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas Anthony Philip Heinrich The Ornithological Combat of Kings: The Combat of the Condor on Land Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Christopher Keene George Frederick Bristow Symphony No 4 in E Minor, Op. 50 Arcadian i. Emigrants’ Journey Across the Plains The Orchestra Now Conductor, Leon Botstein Marion Dix Sullivan The Blue Juniata Riders in the Sky Traditional The Blue Tail Fly Burl Ives Stephen Foster Old Kentucky Home Louis Armstrong Louis Moreau Gottschalk La Savane Op. 3 Claudia Schellenberger, pianist Julia Ward Howe Battle Hymn of the Republic Lehman Engel Chorus Francis Scala Mary Lincoln Polka Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra