ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the Los Angeles Music Festival (1947–1966) as a cultural institution shaped by the artistic, political, and social dynamics of postwar Los Angeles. Founded by Franz Waxman in 1947, the festival exemplified the intersection of Hollywood's film industry and the city's concert music scene. The chapter examines the festival's institutional framework, including its funding mechanisms, personnel, and connections to émigré networks, as well as its alignment with Cold War cultural diplomacy. It highlights how Waxman leveraged these contexts to secure resources, build international networks, and promote contemporary music alongside canonical works. The chapter also addresses the festival's challenges, such as internal conflicts and its reliance on private funding, while situating it within broader debates on modernism, national identity, and the role of music festivals in cultural diplomacy. Ultimately, the Los Angeles Music Festival is presented as a microcosm of mid-twentieth-century cultural exchange, reflecting Waxman's ability to navigate complex artistic and political landscapes.
