Aaron Copland was an influential American composer, conductor, and teacher, often called the "Dean of American Music."
He is best known for his works in the 1930s and 1940s, including the ballets "Appalachian Spring" and "Rodeo."
Copland received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Music for his composition "Appalachian Spring."
Biography
Early Life
Aaron Copland was born on November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, into a Conservative Jewish immigrant family of Lithuanian descent. He was the youngest of five children, raised above his parents' shop, H. M. Copland's. His father, Harris Morris Copland, had emigrated from Russia, and it was believed that the family name was changed from "Kaplan" to "Copland" during the immigration process. While his father had no musical interest, his mother, Sarah Mittenthal Copland, nurtured Aaron's musical talents by arranging piano lessons for him.
Career
Copland emerged as a prominent American composer, conductor, and teacher, often referred to as the "Dean of American Music." His works, characterized by open harmonies and a populist style, include iconic pieces such as "Appalachian Spring," "Billy the Kid," and "Fanfare for the Common Man." He composed across various genres, including ballet, opera, and film scores, and his music is celebrated for evoking the American landscape and spirit. Throughout his career, Copland received numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Music and the Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score.
Legacy
Aaron Copland's influence on American music is profound, with his compositions remaining staples in the concert repertoire. He wrote approximately 100 works, and his distinctive musical voice helped define what many consider the sound of American music. His ability to blend various influences into a uniquely American style has left a lasting impact on generations of composers and musicians. Copland's legacy is further solidified by numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts, recognizing his contributions to the cultural landscape of the United States.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms / Copland: In the beginning and Three Motets / Barber: Agnus Dei1987
- 1.Chichester Psalms: Psalm 108, verse 2 - Psalm 100 (Maestoso ma energico)3:44
- 2.Chichester Psalms: Psalm 23, verse 1-4 - Psalm 2, verses 1-4, Psalm 23, verses 5, 6 (Andante con moto, ma tranquillo)5:51
- 3.Chichester Psalms: Psalm 131 - Psalm 133, verse 1 (Prelude - Peacefully Flowing)9:24
- 4.Agnus Dei10:02
- 5.In the Beginning16:08
- 6.Three Motets: Help Us, O Lord2:51
- 7.Three Motets: Have Mercy on Us, O My Lord3:52
- 8.Three Motets: Sing Ye Praises to Our King2:08
Billy the Kid / Rodeo1986
- 1.Billy the Kid32:37
- 2.Rodeo: Buckaroo Holiday7:14
- 3.Rodeo: Corral Nocturne3:34
- 4.Rodeo: Piano Interlude & Saturday Night Waltz7:57
- 5.Rodeo: Hoe-Down4:14
Appalachian Spring Suite / Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson / An Outdoor Overture1986
- 1.An Outdoor Overture9:03
- 2.Appalachian Spring (Suite)27:02
- 3.Emily Dickinson: Nature, the Gentlest Mother4:17
- 4.Emily Dickinson: There Came a Wind Like a Bugle1:28
- 5.Emily Dickinson: The World Feels Dusty2:02
- 6.Emily Dickinson: Heart, We Will Forget Him2:40
- 7.Emily Dickinson: Dear March, Come In2:18
- 8.Emily Dickinson: Sleep Is Supposed to Be3:08
- 9.Emily Dickinson: Going to Heaven3:00
- 10.Emily Dickinson: The Chariot3:26
Symphony no. 3 / Danzón Cubano / El Salón Mexico1986
- 1.Symphony no. 3: I. Molto moderato11:07
- 2.Symphony no. 3: II. Allegro molto8:13
- 3.Symphony no. 3: III. Andantino quasi allegretto8:52
- 4.Symphony no. 3: IV. Molto deliberato13:17
- 5.Danzón Cubano7:58
- 6.El Salón México10:51
Symphony no. 3 / Quiet City1986
- 1.Symphony no. 3: I. Molto moderato11:01
- 2.Symphony no. 3: II. Allegro molto8:11
- 3.Symphony no. 3: III. Andantino quasi allegretto10:20
- 4.Symphony no. 3: IV. Molto deliberato (Fanfare) -- Allegro risoluto14:04
- 5.Quiet City for Cor Anglais, Trumpet and Strings10:35
George Gershwin: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in F / Aaron Copland: Billy The Kid1984
- 1.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in F: Allegro13:26
- 2.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in F: Adagio - Andante con moto12:10
- 3.Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in F: Allegro agitato6:53
- 4.Billy The Kid20:10
Complete Works for Solo Piano / El Salon Mexico1984
- 1.Seven Anniversaries11:23
- 2.Four Anniversaries6:40
- 3.Five Anniversaries7:21
- 4.Touches8:48
- 5.Moby Dyptich6:53
- 6.El Salon Mexico10:02
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / Barber: Adagio for Strings / Copland: Appalachian Spring1983
- 1.Rhapsody in Blue17:20
- 2.Adagio for Strings10:15
- 3.Appalachian Spring26:35
Music of Barber and Copland1983
- 1.Capricorn Concerto, op. 2118:05
- 2.Essay for Orchestra no. 1, op. 128:15
- 3.Music for Radio ("Saga of the Prairies" or "Prairie Journal")11:47
- 4.An Outdoor Overture8:54
Appalachian Spring / Rodeo / Fanfare for the Common Man1982
- 1.Fanfare for the Common Man3:14
- 2.Rodeo: I. Buckaroo Holiday7:15
- 3.Rodeo: II. Corral Nocturne3:40
- 4.Rodeo: III. Saturday Night Waltz4:04
- 5.Rodeo: IV. Hoe-Down3:12
- 6.Appalachian Spring (Suite)22:19
Paul Jacobs Plays Blues, Ballads & Rags1980
- 1.Three Ghost Rags: I. Graceful Ghost4:04
- 2.Three Ghost Rags: II. Poltergeist3:42
- 3.Three Ghost Rags: III. Dream Shadows6:17
- 4.Four Piano Blues: I. Freely poetic2:37
- 5.Four Piano Blues: II. Soft and languid2:24
- 6.Four Piano Blues: III. Muted and sensuous3:13
- 7.Four Piano Blues: IV. With bounce1:12
- 8.Four North American Ballads: I. Dreadful Memories3:51
- 9.Four North American Ballads: II. Which Side Are You On?6:06
- 10.Four North American Ballads: III. Down By The Riverside5:54
- 11.Four North American Ballads: IV. Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues10:34
Appalachian Spring / Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes1979
- 1.Appalachian Spring: I. Very Slowly
- 2.Appalachian Spring: II. Allegro
- 3.Appalachian Spring: III. Moderato: The Bride and Her Intended
- 4.Appalachian Spring: IV. Fast: The Revivalist and His Flock
- 5.Appalachian Spring: V. Subito allegro: Solo Dance of the Bride
- 6.Appalachian Spring: VI. As at First (Slowly)
- 7.Appalachian Spring: VII. Doppio movimento: Variations on a Shaker Hymn
- 8.Appalachian Spring: VIII. Moderato: Coda
- 9.Rodeo: I. Buckaroo Holiday
- 10.Rodeo: II. Corral Nocturne
- 11.Rodeo: III. Saturday Night Waltz
- 12.Rodeo: IV. Hoedown
Grofe: Grand Canyon Suite / Copland: El Salon Mexico1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
Barber: Adagio for Strings / Ives: Symphony no. 3 / Copland: Quiet City1976
Tracklist not collected yet.
A 75th Birthday Celebration: Aaron Copland Conducts1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Copland Conducts Copland: Appalachian Spring (Complete Ballet)1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
Appalachian Spring / Lincoln Portrait / Fanfare for the Common Man1971
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Copland Album: Appalachian Spring / Billy the Kid / El Salón México / Rodeo1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Aaron Copland Conducts: Music for a Great City / Statements1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Ives: Trio / Copland: Vitebsk / Bloch: Three Nocturnes1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Copland: The Red Pony & Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 201964
Tracklist not collected yet.
Appalachian Spring / The Tender Land - Suite1960
Tracklist not collected yet.
A Lincoln Portrait /New England Triptych1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
Ravel: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra / Copland: Sonata for Piano / Bernstein: Seven Anniversaries1955
Tracklist not collected yet.
Copland: Sextet for String Quartet, Clarinet and Piano / Kohs: Chamber Concerto1953
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Columbia Records
Achievements
- Award
- Guggenheim Fellowship
- Award
- Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score
- Award
- Rome Prize
- Award
- National Medal of Arts
- Award
- Handel Medallion
- Award
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Award
- Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award
- Award
- Kennedy Center Honors
- Award
- Grammy Trustees Award
- Award
- Pulitzer Prize for Music
- Award
- Congressional Gold Medal
- Award
- Fulbright Scholarship
- Award
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Award
- Laurel Leaf Award
- Award
- Honorary Member of the International Society for Contemporary Music
Groups
- Young Composers' Groupcurrent
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Aaron Copeland, Aaron Copland (1900-1990), Aaronn Copland, Copeland, Copland, Copland, Aaron
American composer, composition teacher, writer, and conductor (1900-1990)
Aaron Copland was an American composer, critic, writer, teacher, pianist, and conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as the "Dean of American Music". The open, slowly changing harmonies in much of his music are typical of what many consider the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit. He is best known for the works he wrote in the 1930s and 1940s in a deliberately accessible style often referred to as "populist" and which he called his "vernacular" style. Works in this vein include the ballets Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and Rodeo, his Fanfare for the Common Man and Third Symphony. In addition to his ballets and orchestral works, he produced music in many other genres, including chamber music, vocal works, opera, and film scores.
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Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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