The Fifties: Defending the Elite

Abstract

This chapter looks at the efforts made by the elite to defend their view of classical music as high art. It considers the extent to which a ‘new Britain’ had emerged at this time, the pattern of classical music radio in the early years and rising conservatism and highbrow retrenchment. The reorganisation of classical music radio in the mid-Fifties, a subject of intense debate among the intelligentsia if little among the general listening public, then leads into a report of the changing senior personnel taking responsibility for this output.

A new Britain?—classical music radio 1950–1953—conservatism and retrenchment 1954–1955—reorganisation of classical music radio 1956–1958—changing the guard.