Aaron Copland

1900-90

Born in New York City on November 14, 1900, Copland studied with composer Rubin Goldmark, and in Paris with the influential French teacher, Nadia Boulanger.

While influenced by French impressionism, Copland had his own personalized style.  He experimented with jazz rhythms in such works as "Music for the Theater" and the "Piano Concerto", before turning to more austere and dissonant compositions, such as the "Piano Variations" and "Statements".

He is best remembered for his work with American themes which includes "Lincoln Portrait", "Billy the Kid", "Rodeo", and "Appalachian Spring" (Pulitzer Prize, 1945).  It is during this period he composed his "Third Symphony", which incorporates the "Fanfare for the Common Man".

His music for films includes "Of Mice and Men", "Our Town", and "The Heiress" for which he won the Academy Award for best dramatic film score. In 1962 , his "Connotations" was commissioned for the opening of Lincoln Center in New York City.

As a respected music teacher at Berkshire Music Center, Copland promoted the music of contemporary composers. He wrote What to Listen for in Music, Our New Music, Music and Imagination, and Copland on Music.