Aaron Copland 1900 - 1990 1

Aaron Copland 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. 2

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 3

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. Begin with a basic melodies and musicians take turns improvising or “taking a solo” on the melody. 4

Copland’s Music In his ballets, he used folksong, traditional dance & hymn joined by modern rhythms, harmonies & orchestration Ballets – Billy the Kid, Rodeo, Appalachian Spring Orchestral music – “Fanfare for the Common Man” “12 Poems of Emily Dickinson” 5

Copland’s Rodeo Rodeo contains 5 songs: Buckaroo Holiday Corral Nocturne Ranch House Party Saturday Night Waltz Hoe-Down (based on an American folk song) 6

Copland’s Appalachian Spring

Copland’s 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. 8

Copland’s Appalachian Spring 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." 9