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