Classical Americana 2026

America turns 250 this year, and I’m dedicating this season of Classical Americana to a reflection on the three concepts central to our founding document, the Declaration of Independence -  a radical and globally impactful manifesto for human rights that led with this audacious statement: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." 

Through a broad and eclectic playlist of American music, I’ll share with you the ways in which generations of American voices have expressed these aspirations, challenged them, expanded them, and kept them alive through times of triumph and struggle. Each episode highlights music inspired by the promise of freedom and opportunity, from Spirituals and folk songs to orchestral masterworks. You’ll encounter composers and performers who have used music to celebrate individual expression, demand justice, build community, and imagine a better future - the sounds of a nation in constant evolution. 

This music captures the exhilaration of liberty and self-determination. It speaks to the ongoing pursuit of equality and belonging, reminding us that the nation’s highest ideals have always been works in progress. Listening to these musical stories, you’ll realize how consistently Americans have sought meaning, dignity, joy, and connection through the honesty and generosity of creative expression.

At a moment when our country continues to grapple with its past and envision its future, this series offers us a chance to listen deeply to the many voices that make up the American experience, and to reflect on their legacy. More than a commemoration of a historic anniversary, this is a journey through the sounds of a nation still becoming, honoring 250 years of history while imagining the possibilities of the future. I invite you to listen to America not as a finished opus, but as a living, evolving chorus of voices.