The Piano Variations part of major workout at Snape
The Piano Variations is a pivotal Copland work. If Appalachian Spring is the crowning glory of his populist idiom then the Piano Variations plays the same role for his modernist works. 20 variations in...
About Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland’s name is synonymous with American music. It was his pioneering achievement to break free from Europe and create concert music that is characteristically American. At the same time, he was able to...
Quiet City
I absolutely love this version of Quiet City. The original incidental music from the Irwin Shaw play recreated by saxophonist Cristopher Brellochs.
Is this the best version of Appalachian Spring? It is for me
When it comes to Copland, for me, more means more! This goes against Copland’s own view – he wanted to make every note count and was quite reductionist in his approach to composing. Many...
Think you know the music of Aaron Copland? Think again!
Aaron Copland is known principally for a handful of works composed in the late 1930’s and 1940’s. The aim of this blog is to introduce his relatively unknown and neglected pieces to a wider...
Copland’s neglected child – Symphonic Ode
Of his many children there are a few unloved, neglected, misunderstood ones that deserve much greater attention. Of all these Symphonic Ode is the one I want to adopt! Copland produced around 80 works...
Latest release – Copland conducts Copland DVD
The video shows Copland as a precise, energetic and alert conductor, smiling happily at the orchestra after each piece and enjoying himself enormously in the performance of the Hoedown from the ballet Rodeo. It’s...
Rare Copland works that are worth a listen
Check out some of these recordings of incredibly rare almost unknown Copland.
Connotations for Orchestra
Just imagine for a minute you are at the Lincoln Centre's opening night back in 1962. You're there with the great and the good. You've paid the $200 ticket price and you're dressed up...
