5. Selling the American Dream

Available for 18 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, we explore Cold War musical diplomacy and how classical music was used to export American values overseas. Producer Megan Jones, BBC Audio Wales