Join host Andrea Blain for 'Valor and Victory'

Valor and Victory looks at the anniversary of the end of World War II through the lens of classical music. The war and its aftermath inspired composers to reflect on the feelings and events of the time. This special features music that honors the sacrifices of WWII and celebrates victory and the spirit of the era.

The end of World War II is an incredibly important and resonant time in history, and classical music was a significant and sometimes surprising part of life during the war years and beyond. Looking back after 80 years, this special underscores the peril and power of the times, and it brings to life the role music played in a hard-won victory.

Host Andrea Blain brings us the voice of England's former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and shares how Ludwig van Beethoven and Morse code are forever linked with the hopes and dreams of many nations. We’ll hear music by Aaron Copland aimed at inspiring patriotism in America and Benjamin Britten's response to survivors of a concentration camp. We’ll also explore how music was used to signal resistance and to encourage survival during dark days, and how it helped celebrate victory when the war was over. Listen now using the audio player above.

Playlist

• Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man

• Frédéric Chopin: Military Polonaise Op. 40 No. 1 in A Major

• Francis Poulenc: Le Lion Amoureux from Les Animaux Modéles

• Olivier Messiaen: I. Liturgie de cristal from Quartet for the End of Time

• Benjamin Britten: Death Be Not Proud from “The Holy Sonnets of John Donne”

• Giuseppe Verdi: Lachrymosa from Requiem

• William Walton: Spitfire Prelude

• Marc Blitzstein: I. Theory of Flight from Airborne Symphony

• Sergei Prokofiev: II. Allegro Marcato from Symphony No. 5

• Zoltan Kodaly: Introitus from Missa Brevis

• Ralph Vaughan-Williams: Thanksgiving for Victory

• Winston Churchill: Speech

• Humiwo Hayasaka: I. Lento from Piano Concerto

• Ludwig van Beethoven: I. Allegro con brio from Symphony No. 5

Further resources

Eight interesting facts about V-E Day from Vehicles for Veterans.