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Friends and Foes

Donald Macleod examines Copland’s closest collaborations - and his political controversies.

Donald Macleod looks at Copland’s friendships with Leonard Bernstein and Serge Koussevitsky, his work with Martha Graham, and the creation of Appalachian Spring. We also uncover the darker chapter of McCarthy-era suspicion, when Copland’s patriotism was questioned and his music became a lightning rod for political debate.

Letter from Home
BBC Philharmonic
John Wilson, conductor

Appalachian Spring Suite:
v. Solo Dance
vi. Meno mosso
vii. Variation on a Shaker Hymn
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Zubin Mehta, conductor

Clarinet Concerto
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
London Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

Lincoln Portrait
James Earl Jones, narrator
Seattle Symphony
Gerard Schwarz, conductor

Fanfare for the Common Man
London Symphony Orchestra
Aaron Copland, conductor

Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West.

27 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Aaron Copland

    Letter From Home

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: John Wilson.
    • Copland: Symphonies Vol.3.
    • Chandos.
    • 6.
  • Aaron Copland

    Appalachian Spring Suite (5th, 6th & 7th mvts)

    Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic. Conductor: Zubin Mehta.
    • DECCA : 448-261-6.
    • DECCA.
    • 6.
  • Aaron Copland

    Clarinet Concerto

    Performer: Richard Stoltzman. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas.
    • SONY : G010005422521J.
    • SONY.
    • 8.
  • Aaron Copland

    Lincoln Portrait

    Orchestra: Seattle Symphony. Conductor: Gerard Schwarz. Narrator: James Earl Jones.
    • DELOS : DE-3140.
    • DELOS.
    • 2.
  • Aaron Copland

    Fanfare for the Common Man

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Aaron Copland.
    • SONY : G010001222726C.
    • SONY.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Friday16:00

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