Aaron Copland

1. Aaron Copland

2. Nov 14, 1900- Dec 2, 1990 • Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York • Came from a very conservative Jewish Family • His brother was a very talented violinist, his sister gave him his first piano lesson and attended the Metropolitan Opera School • His sister was his main supporter.

3. Early Musical Studies • He studied with composer/teacher Rubin Goldmark, who had taught George Gershwin briefly • Expanded his musical knowledge by regularly attending the Met and Symphony, as well as creating new friends in the musical world. • Made friends with socialist and communist tendencies.

4. Life In Paris • His father wanted him to go to college after high school, but his mother allowed him to go to Paris after he graduated. • Studied at the Fontainebleu School of Music, and quickly found Nadia Boulanger, who would be his master teacher for the rest of his life. • “No one to my knowledge had ever before thought of studying with a woman.”

5. Life in Paris with the Expatriates (1920’s) • He only meant to stay in Paris for 1 year, but stayed for 3 to continue his studies with Boulanger • He was surrounded by art: Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, and Lewis Sinclair had all taken refuge in Paris. • Copland began writing music critiques, and achieved fame and status. • Returned to America feeling rejuvenated, and optimistic.

6. Back in the US • He was determined to make his way as a full time composer, so he taught, composed, lived off of loans, and also had help from grants and wealthy patrons. • During the Great Depression, he had to take a step back from modern music and he began to focus on what was called, “Gebrauchsmusik” or, “Music for Use”. It was practical: students could learn it fairly quickly, and it would have been popular for audiences, and to be used in plays, etc.

7. American Style • His first “American” piece was composed, named “Prairie Journal • He wrote musical scores for the movies “Of Mice and Men” and “Our Town”

8. Music in the 1940’s • Arguably his most influential decade • Billy the Kid (1939) • Appalachian Spring (1944) • Lincoln Portrait • Fanfare for the Common Man • Third Symphony (1944-46)

9. The Tender Land • In 1954, he was commissioned by Rogers and Hammerstein to write music for an opera that would be called, “The Tender Land. • Based on the book, “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men,” by James Agee

10. Later Life • Because of his earlier work with ASCAP, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, he secured enormous wealth so that in his old age and upon his death he could continue to help other artists both monetarily and emotionally. • Was accused of being a communist party member during the Red Scare, but was cleared of all charges in 1975.

11. The Dean of American Music • Copland worked with many young and upcoming artists throughout his life, which is how he earned his nickname above. • His estate continues to give over $600,000 to musical groups every year. • Worked with Stella Addler’s “The Group Theatre” to provide support, inspiration, and advice. • He is know for creating an “American” musical sound.

12. Fanfare for the Common Man • It was written in response to a speech made by Vice President Henry Wallace where he said they were entering the “Century for the common man.” • Written only for Brass and Percussion

13. Billy the Kid • Named after the famous outlaw, “Billy the Kid” • Uses “cowboy tunes” and many original American Folk Songs

14. Appalachian Spring • Copland won the Pulitzer Prize for this piece in 1945 • Was untitled for a long time, but was titled after this poem, eventually: • O Appalachian Spring! I gained the ledge;
Steep, inaccessible smile that eastward bends
And northward reaches in that violet wedge
Of Adirondacks! • He often found it amusing when audiences told him he captured the essence of the Appalachians, as the piece was named after it was written. • Uses variations on the song, “Simple Gifts,” also called, the “Shaker Melody”