Copland's ballet Appalachian Spring makes memorable use of the Shaker melody 'Simple Gifts', though he later discovered the Shakers were never near Pennsylvania.
Historical Context
Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man was commissioned in 1942 as part of a series of wartime fanfares, intended to contribute to the war effort.
Composer Biography
Copland's El Salón México was inspired by a visit to Mexico in 1932, where he gathered traditional Mexican melodies from published sources.
Recording & Production
This Chandos recording uses 24-bit / 96 kHz technology, which offers a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Aaron Copland aimed to create a musical style of natural simplicity and popular accessibility, as exemplified in his ballet scores.
Composition History
The generous $500 commission fee for Copland's ballet Appalachian Spring was funded by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge to help choreographer Martha Graham build a repertoire of new ballets.
Cultural Impact
Fanfare for the Common Man, embodying optimism and patriotism, later influenced numerous Hollywood movies with presidential or military themes.
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