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Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

Donald Macleod explores Aaron Copland’s most productive decade, the 1940s.

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

Release date:

Available now

1 hour, 8 minutes

Podcast