Copland, Aaron

(1900–90)

   US composer and conductor. Copland, a prolific composer, based much of his work on contemporary American themes. He was instrumental in bringing the music of modern musicians to the attention of both American and world audiences. He achieved this through his lectures and writings, as well as through his influence upon the faculty of the music centre at Tanglewood. There he was head of the composing section from 1940 to 1965. Copland’s best known compositions on Jewish themes include a Lament (1919) for cello and piano which incorporated a traditional New Year melody, the Four Motets (1921) based on the Psalms, the trio Vitebsk (1929) subtitled Study on a Jewish Theme and a cantata based on the Creation story of Genesis entitled In the Beginning (1947). Despite these works Copland did not consider himself to be a religious Jew - he regarded observance as ‘more of a convention than a deep commitment’.

   His other compositions include the ballets Billy the Kid (1938), Rodeo (1942) and Appalachian Spring (1944), three symphonies and the opera The Tender Land. In 1944 he won the Pulitzer Prize and in 1964 the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1971 he was elected President of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.