Photography by Walker Evans
On this day in 1900, American composer Aaron Copland was born. Copland is remembered as the quintessential American composer who created music reflective of the spirit of the nation. Copland’s choice of subject matter was heavily influenced by his exposure to the artistic circle of Alfred Stieglitz (Georgia, O’Keeffe, Paul Strand, Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and Walker Evans.) The group was concerned with creating American art reflective of American values. Copland drew much of his inspiration for his opera “The Tender Land” from the photography of Walker Evans. Copland later composed such well-known pieces as “Fanfare for the Common Man,” “Hoedown,” and “Appalachian Spring.”
Here is an orchestral version of “Fanfare” (NY Philharmonic)”
For those who prefer a more modern treatment, try this 2005 offering from Greg Lake (of Emerson, Lake and Palmer fame)…
