Ruth Leon recommends… Aaron Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
Ruth Leon recommendsAaron Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
Born on this day in 1900, Aaron Copland was 90 when he died in 1990. Often referred to as the “Dean of American Composers”, he wrote in a deliberately accessible style often referred to as “populist” and which he himself called “vernacular”. The open, slowly changing harmonies in much of his music are typical of what many people consider to be the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit.
Famously prolific, he wrote in many genres, including symphonies, chamber music, vocal works, opera and film scores. Today he is perhaps best remembered for his ballet scores for Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and Rodeo and for his Fanfare for the Common Man.
This fanfare was composed in response to the US entry into World War II and was inspired by a famous 1942 speech where vice president Henry A. Wallace proclaimed the dawning of the “Century of the Common Man”. To this day it is often played to introduce significant events, political and artistic, in America and throughout the world.
Also check-out Symphony No. 3 with Detroit under Neeme!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KZT2MGUPLI
Or try Copland’s own performance with the LSO on Everest SDBR-3018 – in stereo and a sound spectacular!
Or try James Judd’s excellent recording with the New Zealand SO.
Missing from Ruth’s otherwise excellent summary: “Fanfare for the Common Man” was a commission by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, then under the direction of Eugene Goosens.
Slightly odd, then, that she chooses a video clip from the National Symphony in Washington when clips from Cincinnati itself are readily available.
A live concert by the Cincinnati Pops (essentially the Cincinnati Symphony in red jackets instead of black), under their current music director but playing in their temporary hall during the most recent renovation of their home at Cincinnati Music Hall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0jMXZAfPU
And audio only, conducted by Erich Kunzel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQNomep0EiY
Typographical error orrection: Goossens
I keep on hearing “We will, we will, rock you”.
It would be more accurate to say Copland CAME to write “in a deliberately accessible style.” His earliest works were almost deliberately NOT accessible.
I’m glad the market forces induced him to write in his “vernacular”.
His body of serial and atonal work is entirely forgettable aside from the spectacle of someone of his ability having spent time on such ventures.
In his vernacular he wrote compelling music unique to himself.
In his preferred atonal style he wrote uncompelling music similar to hundreds of academic wanna-be composers.
I keep hearing “Star Trek Voyager” theme…youtube.com/watch?v=sns1Xj6L-Qc