Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

This week, Donald Macleod explores Aaron Copland’s most
productive decade, and features some of his best loved works in
full. During this time Copland hit his prime. He became
recognised as America’s leading composer, winning the Pulitzer
Prize in Music and an Academy Award for his work in Hollywood.


He toured Europe and South America, absorbing diverse influences
from each, and composed key works including his Symphony No.3,
Appalachian Spring, Lincoln Portrait, Fanfare for the Common Man
and Rodeo.


We get a sense of how Copland’s personal and professional
interests developed over the 1940s and learn about his
friendships and challenges during and in the aftermath of World
War II.


Music Featured:


John Henry: A Railroad Ballet for Orchestra Quiet City Piano
Sonata Our Town Music for Movies Lincoln Portrait Rodeo: Four
Dance Episodes Danzón Cubano - (version for 2 pianos) Las
Agachadas (The Shake-Down Song) Sonata for violin and piano
Fanfare for the Common Man Appalachian Spring Suite (version for
13 instruments) Letter From Home The Red Pony Suite Third
Symphony (2nd & 3rd mvt) The Heiress Suite Preamble for a
Solemn Occasion Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson (Nos 4, 5 &
12) An Outdoor Overture (version for wind ensemble) Four Piano
Blues Clarinet Concerto


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Iain Chambers


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000vplc


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z