NAME Aaron Copland
WHAT FAMOUS FOR A leading figure in 20th-century American classical music, Copland is known for his accessible and distinctly American style. His works often incorporated elements of jazz, folk, and popular music.
BIRTH Aaron Copland was born on November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
FAMILY BACKGROUND Copland was the youngest of five children in a family of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania. His father, Harris Morris Copland, ran a department store, while his mother, Sarah Mittenthal Copland, supported her children’s cultural education.
The family lived above his parents' Brooklyn shop, H.M. Copland's, which Aaron described as "a kind of neighborhood Macy's"
Copland's father had no musical interest, but his mother played piano and arranged music lessons for her children
CHILDHOOD Copland grew up in Brooklyn and showed an early interest in music, taking piano lessons from his sister Laurine. He was inspired by opera and early piano compositions, which laid the foundation for his musical career.
Copland began writing songs at the age of eight and a half. His earliest notated music, written at age 11, was for an opera scenario he created called "Zenatello."
When discussing his childhood work in his family's store, Copland quipped, "I was selling toys to kids my own age!"
EDUCATION At age 14, he began formal piano lessons with Leopold Wolfsohn in 1914. From 1917 to 1921, Copland studied harmony, theory, and composition with Rubin Goldmark, a respected composer and teacher in New York
In 1921, at age 20, Copland moved to Paris to further his musical education. He initially attended the Summer School of Music for American Students at Fontainebleau. In Paris, Copland studied with several notable teachers, most notably the legendary pedagogue Nadia Boulanger, who became his primary composition teacher from 1921-1924. While in Paris, Copland also took classes in French language and history at the Sorbonne3
CAREER RECORD Copland’s career was multifaceted:
Composed a wide range of works, including ballets, symphonies, concertos, and film scores. Notable works include "Appalachian Spring," "Fanfare for the Common Man," "Rodeo," "Billy the Kid."
Served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize in Music
Copland was an accomplished pianist.
He taught at institutions like Tanglewood and mentored young musicians.
APPEARANCE Copland was slender and balding, often wearing glasses that framed his intellectual demeanor. His dress was understated, reflecting his practical nature.
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| Aaron Copland 1970 |
FASHION He favored simple and functional clothing, prioritizing comfort over trends.
CHARACTER Copland was thoughtful, humble, and intellectually curious. He valued simplicity and sincerity in both life and art. Quiet, reserved, and introspective, Copland was a dedicated and meticulous composer.
SENSE OF HUMOUR Copland had a dry wit and a charming ability to lighten serious discussions with humor. For instance, when friends joked about his frugality, Copland would respond good-naturedly: "What do you expect from the son of shopkeepers!
He often used lighthearted expressions like "Holy Moses!", "gee whiz," and "golly" in conversation, revealing a playful side to his personality.
Copland incorporated humor into some of his compositions. In his early work "The Cat and the Mouse" (1920), described as a "scherzo humoristique," Copland used musical elements to depict the playful chase between a cat and mouse.
RELATIONSHIPS Aaron Copland, led a complex personal life marked by significant romantic relationships, primarily with men. Though he lived during a time when societal attitudes towards homosexuality were restrictive, Copland was relatively open about his sexuality within his social circles.
The most enduring and significant relationship in Copland's life was with Victor Kraft. Their connection began when Kraft was a teenage violin prodigy and student of Copland's. Their relationship, which spanned decades, was marked by both deep affection and periods of distance.
Copland also had numerous other romantic relationships, often with younger men involved in the arts. These included composers, dancers, artists, and musicians. Some notable names associated with Copland romantically are Leonard Bernstein, John Brodbin Kennedy, and Paul Moor.
Copland's romantic relationships often followed a pattern of intense intimacy, followed by a period of distance, and eventually settling into a stable friendship. He had a specific philosophy regarding love, viewing relationships as dynamic and often evolving between roles of "father" and "son."
Despite his relatively open nature within his social circles, Copland maintained a degree of privacy about his personal life. He navigated the complexities of his sexuality and romantic relationships with sensitivity and understanding, often prioritizing the emotional needs of his partners.
MONEY AND FAME While Copland achieved significant fame, particularly with "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Appalachian Spring," he lived modestly and valued intellectual pursuits over material wealth.
FOOD AND DRINK Copland enjoyed simple, hearty meals and occasionally indulged in fine dining, appreciating the artistry of good cooking.
MUSIC AND ARTS Music was his life’s passion. Copland was inspired by jazz, folk traditions, and modernist movements, creating a style that was distinctly American.
Aaron Copland, the guy they called the Dean of American Composers, wasn’t always destined for greatness. He started out, like most of us, just trying to figure things out. He’d dabble in this and that, a bit of piano here, a bit of theory there, and before you knew it, he was off to Paris to study with Nadia Boulanger, a woman who could turn a promising musician into a world-class composer.
Now, Copland wasn’t exactly a natural-born genius. He was more of a gentle giant, a bit awkward and bookish. But he had a knack for taking complex ideas and turning them into something everyone could understand. His music wasn’t just for the elite, it was for the everyman. He wanted to capture the spirit of America, the vast landscapes, the pioneering spirit, and he did it with a style that was both accessible and innovative.
In the 1930s and 40s, Copland was on fire. He was churning out masterpieces like there was no tomorrow: “Appalachian Spring,” “Billy the Kid,” “Rodeo,” and, of course, the iconic “Fanfare for the Common Man.” These pieces weren’t just music; they were a cultural phenomenon. They were the soundtrack to a nation on the rise.
But as the years went by, Copland’s tastes began to change. He started experimenting with more complex, avant-garde styles, dabbling in twelve-tone techniques and serialism. It was a bold move, but it didn’t always go down well with the critics. Some people thought he was losing his touch, others that he was simply trying to be trendy.
In the end, though, Copland’s legacy is secure. He was a true original, a composer who could bridge the gap between high art and popular culture. And while he may not have always been the coolest kid on the block, he was certainly one of the most influential.
LITERATURE Copland enjoyed reading literature, especially works on philosophy and music theory, which influenced his compositions and teaching.
Copland was an author of music theory and appreciation books, such as What to Listen for in Music (1939), making his philosophies on music accessible to the general public.
NATURE He appreciated natural beauty, reflected in works like "Appalachian Spring," which evoke pastoral landscapes.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Copland enjoyed attending art exhibitions, writing essays on music, and occasionally participating in light outdoor activities like walking.
He loved hearing gossip about the music world from visitors, and even late in life, Copland would ask about young composers and new musical trends
SCIENCE AND MATHS Copland admired the precision and structure of mathematics, akin to the discipline in his compositions.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Copland leaned toward secular humanism, believing in art’s ability to connect with the common man.
POLITICS He was a progressive who supported workers' rights and New Deal programs. His populist approach to music mirrored his political ideals.
SCANDAL During the McCarthy era, Copland’s leftist sympathies led to his brief scrutiny, though he remained unscathed professionally.
MILITARY RECORD Copland contributed to morale with patriotic works like "Fanfare for the Common Man."
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Copland maintained good health for most of his life, though he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in his later years.
HOMES Aaron Copland was born and raised above his family's shop at 628 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
After his Parisian sojourn, he returned to the city and rented a studio apartment on New York City's Upper West Side, close to Carnegie Hall. This was his base for decades, a place where he could easily access the vibrant cultural scene of New York.
As his fame grew, Copland began to crave a quieter, more serene environment. He started spending weekends and summers in the countryside. In 1947, he gave up his Manhattan apartment and studio, initially renting a house on the banks of the Hudson River. In 1952, Copland bought his first home in Ossining, New York.
In 1960, Copland purchased Rock Hill in Cortlandt Manor, New York (near Peekskill), which he moved in after the Tanglewood Festival in the summer of 1960. Rock Hill was a six-room, prairie-style house with a separate garage and studio, sitting on 2.5 secluded acres. This became Copland's primary residence for the last 30 years of his life. Here, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Copland found the inspiration and peace he needed to create some of his most enduring works. Today, it stands as a testament to Copland's legacy, preserved as a National Historic Landmark and a center for American music.
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| Rock Hill By Daniel Case |
TRAVEL Copland traveled extensively, particularly to Europe and Latin America, to study, perform, and gather folk inspirations for his works.
DEATH Aaron Copland died of Alzheimer's disease and respiratory failure brought on by pneumonia on December 2, 1990. He had been experiencing short-term memory lapses since the mid-1980s and was under regular medical supervision. He passed away in North Tarrytown, New York (now known as Sleepy Hollow).
Copland's ashes were scattered over the Tanglewood Music Center near Lenox, Massachusetts. The burial took place in a private ceremony arranged by Daniel Gustin, Tanglewood's director and Copland's friend. The burial site features three flat rectangular stones embedded in the grass, reading:
BEQUEATHED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS
AARON COPLAND
1900-1990
THE FIRST THREE NOTES OF "FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN"
On June 30, 2011, a bronze bust of Copland by sculptor Penelope Jenks was unveiled and placed in the center of the burial site.
Much of Copland's estate was bequeathed to establish the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, a non-profit organization supporting contemporary music and young composers
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Aaron Copland's music and persona have appeared in various forms of media, highlighting his significant impact on American culture and classical music. They include:
1. FILM The Red Pony (1949): Copland composed the score for this film based on John Steinbeck's novella, earning acclaim for its evocative orchestration.
The Heiress (1949): His score for this William Wyler film won an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Of Mice and Men (1939): Though not directly involved in the score, Copland’s influence is felt in the Americana soundscape employed by the composer, Aaron Copland having set a precedent for such styles in American media.
2. TELEVISION His music has been featured in numerous PBS specials and educational documentaries, particularly those focused on American history, due to its accessible and evocative nature. Copland’s works, particularly "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Appalachian Spring," are frequently used in Ken Burns’s historical series, such as The Civil War and Baseball, to underscore American themes.
3. POPULAR CULTURE "Fanfare for the Common Man" has become an anthem in various sports arenas, award ceremonies, and political events. It is often used to herald significant moments due to its grandeur. The theme has also appeared in rock adaptations, such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 1977 progressive rock version.
4. VIDEO GAMES Copland’s compositions, including excerpts from "Rodeo" and "Appalachian Spring," have been included in soundtracks for video games that explore American history or themes of nature and exploration.
ACHIEVEMENTS Composed timeless works like "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Appalachian Spring."
Won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1945 for "Appalachian Spring."
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.
Championed American music, earning the title "Dean of American Composers."
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