Composer Of The Week: Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland is the composer who can be argued to have defined the sound of American classical music. Donald Macleod explores the composer’s life and music.

Monday - The Kaplans and the Roaring Twenties

Today, Donald throws the spotlight on Copland’s early years in New York where he was taught to play the piano by his elder sister Laurine, and his defining experiences and musical studies with Nadia Boulanger in Paris in the roaring 1920s.

Tuesday - The American Depression

Copland returns to his home town of New York, where he made his name during the early 1930s. It was there he established his own individual style and a truly American sound in music, as the United States struggled through the great depression.

Wednesday - World War II

Donald tells us about Copland’s work in Hollywood, the loss of his parents and his involvement in US propaganda during the Second World War.

Thursday - A Witchunt

Today, the struggles that Copland endured throughout the 1950s are explored as he found himself persecuted for alleged communist activities by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Friday - A Retirement From Composition

Donald explores Copland’s more radical works of the 1960s and his increased interest in conducting which eventually led to a retirement from composition.

• Producer: Sam Phillips

Publicity contact: SRB