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A Tribute to Aaron Copland
Dean of American Composers
Born: Brooklyn, New York,
November 14, 1900Died: North Tarrytown, New York,
December 2, 1990
Aaron Copland was one of the best known and most respected composers of the 20th century.
He has been called the "Dean of American Composers" due to his many compositions, writings, teaching and conducting skills. Also his years of teaching other composers, including very famous ones like his friend, Leonard Bernstein.
Among his most popular works are:
"El Salon Mexico" (1936)
"Billy the Kid" (ballet, 1938)
"Our Town" (film score, 1940)
"Lincoln Portrait" (with narrator, 1942)
"Rodeo" (ballet, 1942)
"Appalachian Spring" (ballet, 1944)
"The Red Pony" (film score, 1949)
"Old American Songs (2 sets, 1950-1952)
What were his views about his own music?
What did he think of other composers and their music?
To discuss these and other questions, composer Roger Lee Hall had a conversation
July of 1980 at his home in Cortlandt Manor, New York.During the wide-ranging conversation Copland discussed some of his best known compositions: such as "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Appalachian Spring." Also his arrangements of "Old American Songs," also several of his film scores, OUR TOWN and THE HEIRESS, his admiration for Nadia Boulanger, Serge Koussevitzky (who made the first recording of the "Appalachian Spring Suite"), his close friend, Leonard Bernstein, and composer Charles Ives. Copland also made fun of his bad memory and was delightfully candid.
This recorded conversation includes Copland's arrangement of the Shaker song,
"Simple Gifts" in his 1944 ballet score for APPALACHIAN SPRING
and discussed on this CD...A Conversation with Aaron Copland (AMRC 0005)
Highlights from the Copland interview about his "Simple Gifts" arrangements
are included on this CD:
Gentle Words - A Shaker Music Sampler (AMRC 0016)
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One of his best known compositions, "Appalachian Spring"
was discussed in BBC Magazine (November 2016).
But the information about "Simple Gifts" is not accurate.
This Shaker tune was composed as a dance song NOT a hymn.When writing about his choice of the Shaker dancing song, "Simple Gifts,"
Copland wrote the following:I read that the dance would have been in a "lively tempo, with single files of brethren and sisters two or three abreast proceeding with utmost precision around the meeting room. In the center of the room would be a small group singing the dance song over and over until everyone was both exhihilerate and exhausted." Lest this seem very scholarly, my research evidently was not very thorough, since I did not realize that there never have been Shaker settlements in rural Pennsyvlania!
-Copland Since 1943 by Aaron Copland and Vivian Perlis, page 33
(this information quoted from ,"The Story of Simple Gifts," by Roger L. Hall, 1987)Read the article about Copland and his arrangements of the Shaker song -- click here
A Few Recommended CDs and a DVD
The Music of America: Aaron Copland
A 3 CD set of his best known music,
including Fanfare for the Common Man,
Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid, Rodeo,
Lincoln Portrait, Music for Movies and more
COPLAND CONDUCTS COPLAND CD,
with Copland conducting
the complete original ballet version
of Appalachian Spring in 1973,
also Henry Fonda as narrator for Lincoln Portrait
A Biddulph CD with Serge Koussevitzky conducting
the Boston Symphony Orchestra
in the rare first recording of the Suite from Appalachian Spring in 1945,
and also other works
The Copland Collection, 1936-1948
(includes OUR TOWN and MUSIC FOR MOVIES)
Aaron Copland -
Music in the '20s (3 DVD set)
Complete 12 part series as shown on Public Television
Copland and Film music
There was an interview by Roger Hall with Aaron Copland first published in
Soundtrack magazine, Vol. 19, No. 75.The interview was conducted at the composer's home in 1980 and has been now reprinted
in this book now available exclusively on a computer disc
with bonus audio and video features:
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In addition to the Copland interview, other composers quoted in this book are: Elmer Bernstein, Bernard Herrmann, Henry Mancini, David Raksin, Dimitri Tiomkin, and an interview with Virgil Thomson. This reference book also includes tips on listening to film music, 100 essential film scores of the 20th century, film music awards, an extensive bibliography and recommended recordings. Also as bonus features there are several radio and cable television programs with the author.
For his outstanding film scores, Copland has been named for a Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more about this Lifetime Achievement at the
22nd Annual Sammy Film Music Awards
CD Review: THE HEIRESS and THE RED PONY
Copland: Music for Films
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra,
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Copland and The ShakersAaron Copland's arrangement of the Shaker dance song,"Simple Gifts," has become known around the world chiefly through its use in the Martha Graham ballet, Appalachian Spring.
When writing about this ballet score, Jan Swafford has written:
The most famous section is the variations on the Shaker song, "Simple Gifts," a tune Copland rescued from obscurity. His genius for evocation, his simplicity hiding great sophistication and his understated emotion are never better seen than here.
--The Vintage Guide to Classical Music (1992), p 471.Hear the exclusive interview with Copland about his arrangements of "Simple Gifts"
on this computer disc in a slipcase:
Support the Copland House
The restored, longtime residence of Aaron Copland in upstate New York, is the only composer's home in the U.S. devoted to nurturing America's rich musical heritage through a broad range of activities.
An Official Project of the White House "Save America's Treasures" program, Copland House's activities include a thriving composers' residency program, a touring resident chamber ensemble, educational programs based on American music, related public presentations, and various recording, broadcast, and Internet projects.
This is well worth supporting.
For further information -- click here
Please help support the educational mission of the
Center for American Music Preservation
Order your copy of this limited edition CD
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