Chapter 50 Sounds American: Copland and Musical Nationalism in the United States
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This document discusses the American composer Aaron Copland and his contribution to developing an American orchestral sound. It provides information on Copland's background and training in Paris with Nadia Boulanger. Two of Copland's most famous works are discussed in depth: Appalachian Spring, composed for ballet in 1945, which quotes the Shaker melody "Simple Gifts," and Fanfare for the Common Man from 1942. Links are provided to listen to excerpts from Appalachian Spring and Copland's piece Rodeo. The document is from a lecture on American musical nationalism and Copland's role in defining an American orchestral style.
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Chapter 50 Sounds American: Copland and Musical Nationalism in the United States
- 1. THE ENJOYMENT OF MUSIC ESSENTIAL LISTENING EDITION by Kristine Forney Andrew Dell’Antonio Joseph Machlis THIRD EDITION Lecture Slides
- 2. Chapter 50 Sounds American: Copland and Musical Nationalism in the United States
- 3. Copland and the American Orchestral Soundscape • Aaron Copland (1900–1990) • American composer • Paris, Nadia Boulanger • Jazz idioms • Neo-Classicism and twelve- tone composition • Piano pieces, orchestral works, ballets, film scores
- 4. Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring, excerpts • Copland’s Appalachian Spring (1945) • Composed for ballet, performed as a suite • Pioneer celebration in spring • Quotes Shaker melody, Simple Gifts
- 5. Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring, excerpts (Listening Guide) • Section 1: – Very slow, tranquil – Solos in various woodwinds and trumpet • Section 7: – Theme (Simple Gifts) and five variations – Calm and flowing duple meter – Variations: Individual instruments featured
- 6. Fanfare for the Common Man; Rodeo • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pgj7_DmgDqs • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=6ajQYANLiug
- 7. Appalachian Spring • http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=XmgaKGSxQVw • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91y- NEdTj-g
- 10. by Kristine Forney Andrew Dell’Antonio Joseph Machlis Lecture Slides THIRD EDITION THE ENJOYMENT OF MUSIC ESSENTIAL LISTENING EDITION http://wwnorton.com/web/enjoyess2
Editor's Notes
- ■ The great bandmaster and composer John Philip Sousa fostered the American wind band, a tradition long associated with the popular spirit of the United States. ■ American composer Aaron Copland used the sacred folk song Simple Gifts in his famous ballet Appalachian Spring, commissioned by the great choreographer/dancer Martha Graham.
- American composer Aaron Copland (1900–1990) studied in Paris with Nadia Boulanger during his early twenties. He was her first American student. After his return from Paris, Copland incorporated jazz idioms in his works, culminating in his brilliant Piano Concerto. Later, he experimented in neo-Classicism with works such as Statements for Orchestra, and twelve-tone composition in Connotations for Orchestra. Copland’s prolific catalog of music includes piano pieces, orchestral works, ballets, and film scores.
- Copland’s Appalachian Spring (1945) was composed as a ballet, which was the basis for this popular orchestral suite. The story takes place in the early nineteenth century, in rural Pennsylvania, and portrays a pioneer celebration in Spring. In tribute to early American music, Copland quotes the Shaker melody, Simple Gifts.
- Excerpts for Copland’s Appalachian Spring (1945) are built on themes and variations. In Section 1, a very slow, tranquil rhythm features solo clarinet, then a flute with an ascending motive, portraying daybreak over the vast horizon. Throughout the section individual instruments are featured over a polychordal harmony. In Section 7, the theme Simple Gifts is presented by solo clarinet and followed by five variations, featuring individual instruments. Here the harmony moves between various keys, evoking colorful landscapes. By the time the fifth variation arrives, the full orchestra makes a majestic statement of the theme before gradually dying away.
- Listening Guide 36—Copland: Appalachian Spring (excerpts)
- Listening Guide 36—Copland: Appalachian Spring (excerpts)