From May through August, join us as we explore the story of classical music in the United States with America 250: A Classical Portrait. Our celebration is centered around the weekly program on WETA Virtuoso every Wednesday at 2PM. Over the four months, host James Jacobs will be telling a story of classical music unique to the American experience, a journey of imagination, tradition and possibility.
Just the idea of the New World Pre-Independence provided a source of endless fascination and inspiration even for composers who never actually came here, while it provided an opportunity for a fresh start and perspective for those who did, and as America grew from an idea into a nation its musical conversation with the rest of the world developed in sophistication and complexity through the centuries and continues to this day.
Each week A Classical Portrait will delve into composers, artists, and institutions that were born of and reflect American ideals, encompassing the complete narrative of American classical music in the last 250 years and beyond.
We will present a special monthly preview program every first Tuesday of the month at 8PM on WETA Classical, and every Tuesday at noon, we will share a vocal sneak peek from the week's topic on WETA VivaLaVoce. Choral Showcase on WETA Classical will also celebrate America 250 on each week's program May through August.
Please join us as we explore how the discovery, independence, and innovation of America shaped our own dynamic and essential contribution to classical music.
Enjoy Classical Breakdown episodes celebrating American composers here.
Coming Up
- July 11 at 9PM on Choral Showcase: The Cost of Freedom
- Find the cost of freedom on Choral Showcase this week with Avner Dorman's moving cantata, Letters From Gettysburg, drawn from the writings of a soldier wounded on the first day of the battle. And Skylark combines songs from the Civil War with Francis Poulenc's Figure Humaine in Clear Voices in the Dark.
- July 14 at 12PM on WETA VivaLaVoce: America 250 Vocal Highlight
- July 15 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
Archives
- July 8 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- July 1 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- June 24 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- June 17 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- June 10 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- June 3 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- May 27 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- May 20 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- May 13 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
- May 6 at 2PM on WETA Virtuoso: America 250: A Classical Portrait
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