Classical Music in America

Continuing our musical journey into the through the 20th Century, this segment explores how America took its place as force in the world of classical music; not so much through its experimental work but through the music of Hollywood movies. Miles Hoffman, Morning Edition music commentator and dean of the Petrie School of Music at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, takes us through the early years of the last century and discusses where we can, sometimes unexpectedly, find new classical compositions today.

This segment looks at some little-known stories about American Classical music like the role of Cuba in Classical Music and the American who made "Carmen" a hit. NPR's Miles Hoffman continues to lead us through the development of a uniquely American take on traditional European music.

While Europe was alive with new, sophisticated works by Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel, America was a backwater. If you looked for classical music in the early days of America, you'd be hard-pressed to find it, even in the big cities and the centers of wealth, commerce, and social sophistication. But it *was* there; in far-flung locations including the backwoods of North Carolina and the Port of New Orleans. Miles Hoffman, NPR Morning Edition music commentator and dean of the Petrie School of Music at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina takes us on a tour of classical music in early America.