Aaron Copland : a reader : selected writings 1923-1972 / edited, with an introduction, by Richard Kostelanetz ; assistant editor, Steve Silverstein.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990.

Contributor:

Kostelanetz, Richard.

Standardized Title:

Literary works. Selections

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990.

Copland, Aaron.

Music--History and criticism.

Music.

Physical Description:

xxxvii, 368 pages : music ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2004.

Summary:

Aaron Copland is universally recognized as one of the great American composers of the 20th century. He was also a prolific writer, turning out many popular books and essays during his lifetime, and maintaining a detailed diary. This new collection offers the only currently available overview of these important and illuminating writings. It draws on Copland's vast published legacy of books and articles, along with previously unpublished materials, including Copland's diaries, letters, lecture notes, and other materials. These writings give a fascinating, behind-the-scenes picture of Copland that is missing from his "official" writings.

Born in Brooklyn, Copland was recognized as a musical talent from an early age. After completing high school, he traveled to Paris where he took classes with Nadia Boulanger, who taught a succession of young American composers (Virgil Thomson, Elliott Carter, David Diamond, Arthur Berger, Philip Glass). Returning to America in 1922, Copland began an illustrious composing career and soon received commissions from major orchestras, two of the initial fellowships from the Guggenheim foundation, exclusive recording contracts, honorary degrees, conducting positions around the world, recognition in histories of American music, and requests to write articles, speeches, and books. He also composed scores for Hollywood and formed friendships with celebrities and musical powerhouses. No one before or since has been quite as successful in as many ways -- not even George Gershwin or Leonard Bernstein. For nearly a century, Copland's name has been synonymous with American classical music. He typically performed all his roles gracefully, revealing few signs of struggle or temperament.

Copland authored both popular and more scholarly works throughout his life. His What to Listen for in Music? has been in print continually since the 1940s and continues to sell very well. His two-part autobiography, authored with Vivian Perlis, has also been hailed as a classic of musical (and general) American literature. Copland wrote for a general audience in clear lucid prose that helped explain the complexities of new musical styles to a growing audience, and paved the way for the acceptance of contemporary music.

No one can understand fully the growth of contemporary American music without reading Copland's critical works.

Contents:

Musical experience

The life of music

The musician's life

Precursors

Contemporaries

His own works

Personal.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 361) and index.

ISBN:

0415939402

OCLC:

52086238