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Aaron CoplandAaron Copland1900 - 19901900 - 1990

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Aaron CoplandAaron Copland

Born in Brooklyn, New YorkBorn in Brooklyn, New York Had formal musical training from Had formal musical training from

early onearly on Was an accomplished pianistWas an accomplished pianist At age 20, began studying in ParisAt age 20, began studying in Paris In addition to being a composer, In addition to being a composer,

Copland was a teacher, lecturer, Copland was a teacher, lecturer, critic, writer, and conductor critic, writer, and conductor (generally, but not always) of his (generally, but not always) of his own works.own works.

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Copland’s MusicCopland’s Music

Studied great composers of the past.Studied great composers of the past. Copland stated that an ideal music Copland stated that an ideal music

might combine Mozart’s “spontaneity might combine Mozart’s “spontaneity and refinement”, with Palestrina’s and refinement”, with Palestrina’s “purity", and Bach’s “profundity” “purity", and Bach’s “profundity”

Influenced in his music by jazzInfluenced in his music by jazz

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JazzJazz

Jazz music originated with slaves.Jazz music originated with slaves. In the African tradition, they had a single-In the African tradition, they had a single-

line melody and a call-and-response line melody and a call-and-response pattern, but without the European concept pattern, but without the European concept of harmony.of harmony.

In the early 19th century an increasing In the early 19th century an increasing number of black musicians learned to play number of black musicians learned to play European instruments.European instruments.

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

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Copland’s MusicCopland’s Music

In his ballets, he used folksong, In his ballets, he used folksong, traditional dance & hymn joined by traditional dance & hymn joined by modern rhythms, harmonies & modern rhythms, harmonies & orchestrationorchestration

Ballets – Ballets – Billy the Kid, Rodeo, Billy the Kid, Rodeo, Appalachian SpringAppalachian Spring

Orchestral music – “Fanfare for the Orchestral music – “Fanfare for the Common Man”Common Man”

““12 Poems of Emily Dickinson”12 Poems of Emily Dickinson”

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Copland’s RodeoCopland’s Rodeo

RodeoRodeo contains 5 songs: contains 5 songs: Buckaroo HolidayBuckaroo Holiday Corral NocturneCorral Nocturne Ranch House PartyRanch House Party Saturday Night WaltzSaturday Night Waltz Hoe-Down (based on an Hoe-Down (based on an

American folk song)American folk song)

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.

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."