Aaron Copland known in the music circles as the Dean of American Composer was an American writer and composer. Born on November 14, 1900, Aaron Copland was also a composition teacher and music conductor. His musical career ran through genres like vocal works, chamber music as well as opera and film scores.
Aaron Copland became known for what he labelled as the vernacular style, and others termed as populist in the 1930s and 1940s. Some of the compositions, which took this style, include Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and Rodeo, Third Symphony and Fanfare for the Common Man. Most of his music was characterized by slowly open changing harmonies, which were the theme at the time and resonate the American landscape and pioneer spirit.
Early Years
Aaron Copland was born on November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York to Harris Morris Copland and Sarah Mittenthal Copland. Aaron Copland was the last child of five siblings in a family of Conservative Jewish and Lithuanian descent. Aaron Copland interest in music originated from his mother since she played the piano herself. Sarah did organize music lessons for all her kids. Copland's siblings, especially the eldest, Ralph became musically inclined and played the violin proficiently.
His sister, Laurine was skilled in piano assisted him with piano lessons and furthered supported him through his music career. Laurine who was a music student at the Metropolitan Opera School expanded Copland’s music training as she usually brought libretto for him to study. Aaron Copland started writing music around age nine and came out with his highest notated composition Zenatello, which was about seven bars when he was eleven years. Copland was educated at the Boys High School and attended summer camps during vacation.
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Music Study
He expanded his musical lessons taking piano lessons under Leopard Wolfson from 1913 to 1917. Wolfsohn tutored him on the standard classical fare. After acquiring some musical skills, Copland made a debut public performance at a Wanamaker’s recital. Being inspired by a concert by composer-pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski, he decided to become a composer at age 15. He furthered his music pursuit by attending classes of Rubin Goldmark to study harmony, composition, and theory from 1917 and 1921. As a one of the best teacher and composer of American Music, Goldmark ensured, Aaron Copland had a strong foundation in music, especially in Germanic tradition. During his graduation from Goldmark, he performed a Romantic Style three-movement piano sonata.
Aaron Copland was torn between going to college and traveling to Paris to pursue music. His father wanted him to go to the college while his mother supported his trip to Paris to further pursue music. While in France, Aaron Copland studied at the Fontainebleau with pianist and pedagogue Isidor Philipp and Paul Vidal, a composer. Copland chose to study under Nadia Boulanger upon suggestions by a colleague student as he saw the tutoring of Vidal just like that of his formal trainer Goldmark. He found comfort studying under Boulanger and extended his planned stay in France from one to three years.
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