3. Cities of Music

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 have been mirrored in the music being created - from Manifest Destiny to #MeToo, from Civil War to Civil Rights.

In today's episode: we explore how the rise of the city orchestra and opera house fed American music-making and the development of an American sound.

Producer Emma Harding, BBC Audio Wales

Leonard Bernstein
On The Town: Three Dances
New York Philharmonic, conductor Leonard Bernstein

John Adams
Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor Marin Alsop

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No.3 Eroica, Marcia Funebre (extract)
New York Philharmonic, conductor Leonard Bernstein

Gaetano Donizetti
Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête! from La Fille du Regiment
Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, conductor Richard Bonynge

Giuseppe Verdi
Preludio from Macbeth
La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Riccardo Chailly

William Henry Fry
Santa Claus Symphony (excerpt)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conductor Tony Rowe

George Frederick Bristow
Symphony No. 2 ‘Jullien’ ii Allegretto (excerpt)
Royal Northern Sinfonia, conductor Rebecca Miller

Benny Goodman
Don’t Be That Way, Live at Carnegie Hall
Benny Goodman Big Band

Amy Beach
Gaelic Symphony Opus 32, Second movement
Nashville Symphony Orchestra, conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn

Roy Harris
Symphony No. 3 (excerpt)
Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Serge Koussevitzky

Antonín Dvořák
Going Home
Paul Robeson