Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland (1900–1990) was an American composer, conductor, and teacher whose music came to define the sound of American classical music in the 20th century. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant parents, Copland showed an early interest in music, studying piano and composition as a teenager. In 1921, he traveled to Paris to study with the legendary teacher Nadia Boulanger, whose guidance helped him develop a clear, modern, and distinctly personal compositional voice.

Upon returning to the United States, Copland sought to create a uniquely American style that reflected the country’s landscapes, culture, and democratic ideals. His early works, such as Symphony for Organ and Orchestra (1924) and Music for the Theatre (1925), combined modernist influences with jazz rhythms and harmonies. In the 1930s and 1940s, Copland turned toward a more accessible, populist style that made him a household name. During this period, he composed some of his most beloved works, including El Salón México (1936), Billy the Kid (1938), Rodeo (1942), and Appalachian Spring (1944). These compositions captured the wide-open spirit of America through open harmonies, folk melodies, and vivid orchestration.

Copland’s Appalachian Spring, written for choreographer Martha Graham, won the Pulitzer Prize and remains a landmark of American music. His Fanfare for the Common Man (1942) became an enduring patriotic symbol, expressing dignity and optimism during World War II. Copland also wrote film scores, such as Of Mice and Men (1939) and The Heiress (1949), winning an Academy Award for the latter.

In his later years, Copland explored serialism but maintained his characteristic clarity and lyricism. Beyond composition, he was a tireless advocate for contemporary American music, conducting, lecturing, and mentoring young composers. Through his works and influence, Aaron Copland gave America its musical voice—open, hopeful, and unmistakably its own.