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Donald Macleod explores how Copland’s active interest with current affairs shaped his worldview.

This week of programmes explores Aaron Copland’s most productive decade, and features some of his best-loved works in full. During this time, Copland hit his prime. He became recognised as America’s leading composer, winning the Pulitzer Prize in Music and an Academy Award for his work in Hollywood.

He toured Europe and South America, absorbing diverse influences from each, and composed key works including his Third Symphony, Appalachian Spring, Lincoln Portrait, Fanfare for the Common Man and Rodeo.

We get a sense of how Copland’s personal and professional interests developed over the 1940s and learn about his friendships and challenges during and in the aftermath of World War II.

In this episode, Donald Macleod looks at Copland’s engagement with world events, and how it shaped his friendships and his worldview, from the Americana of Rodeo and the patriotism of Lincoln Portrait to the Hispaniana of Danzón Cubano.

Music for Movies
I. New England Countryside
London Sinfonietta
Elgar Howarth, conductor

Lincoln Portrait
Maya Angelou, narrator
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Louis Langree, conductor

Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Leonard Bernstein, conductor

Danzón Cubano - (version for 2 pianos)
Genova and Dimitrov Piano Duo

Produced by Iain Chambers for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales