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Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990)
Born in Brooklyn, New York
Had formal musical training from early on
Was an accomplished pianist
At age 20, began studying in Paris
In addition to being a composer, Copland was a teacher, lecturer, critic, writer, and
conductor (generally, but not always) of his own works.
Copland’s Music
Studied great composers of the past.
Copland stated that an ideal music might combine Mozart’s “spontaneity and
refinement”, with Palestrina’s “purity", and Bach’s “profundity”
Influenced in his music by jazz
Jazz
Jazz music originated with slaves.
In the African tradition, they had a single-line melody and a call-and-response pattern,
but without the European concept of harmony.
In the early 19th century an increasing number of black musicians learned to play
European instruments.
Another influence came from black slaves who had learned the harmonic style of hymns
and incorporated it into their own music as spirituals.
Begin with a basic melodies and musicians take turns improvising or “taking a solo” on
the melody.
Copland’s Music
In his ballets, he used folksong, traditional dance & hymn joined by modern rhythms,
harmonies & orchestration
Ballets – Billy the Kid, Appalachian Spring, Rodeo
Rodeo contains 5 songs:
 Buckaroo Holiday
 Corral Nocturne
 Ranch House Party
 Saturday Night Waltz
 Hoe-Down (based on an American folk song)
Appalachian Spring
 The ballet, scored (written) for a thirteen-member chamber orchestra, was
premiered on Monday, Oct. 30th, 1944.
 The story is a spring celebration of the American pioneers of the 1800s
after building a new Pennsylvania farmhouse. Among the central characters
are a newlywed couple, a neighbor, a revivalist preacher and his followers.
 The orchestral suite is divided in eight sections
 The 7th section is calm and flowing. Scenes of daily activity for the Bride and
her Farmer husband. There are five variations on a Shaker theme. The
theme, sung by a solo clarinet, was taken from a collection of Shaker
melodies compiled by Edward D. Andrews, and published under the title
"The Gift to Be Simple." The melody most borrowed and used almost
literally is called "Simple Gifts."
Orchestral music – “Fanfare for the Common Man”
“12 Poems of Emily Dickinson”