life and works of aaron copland 1900-1990 cynthia l. james greenview elementary music december 11,...
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Life and Works of Aaron Copland1900-1990
Cynthia L. JamesGreenview Elementary MusicDecember 11, 2001
Picture taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Birthday
November 14, 1900
Aaron Copland was born in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of five children.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Copland’s ParentsAaron Copland’s parents were Harris Morris Copland, a department store owner, and, Sarah Mittenthal Copland.
Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Music Training Copland began his music training at the
age of 14. He took private piano lessons from
Leopold Wolfsohn in Brooklyn, New York.
He continued to study withWolfsohn until 1918.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
A New Adventure In June, Copland took the pivotal step in
his development as a musician when he left to study in France at the newly established American Conservatory at Fontainebleau, near Paris.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
A New Teacher In France he met
Nadia Boulanger, who was to become his and many other American composers’ world-renowned teacher.
Nadia Boulanger and her class, Paris, 1923
Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Famous Works Billy the Kid-1938 Lincoln Portrait-1942 Rodeo-1942 Appalachian Spring-1945 Shaker Variations-1956
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Billy the Kid October 16: First
performance of his first ballet, Billy the Kid, written for Lincoln Kirstein and the Ballet Caravan.
Billy the Kid: production shot, 1938.
Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Lincoln Portrait Completed Lincoln Portrait, commissioned
by Andre Kostelanetz, with text created by Copland from speeches and letters of Abraham Lincoln.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Rodeo Composed the ballet Rodeo, commissioned
by Agnes de Mille.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Appalachian Spring Copland was awarded
the Pulitzer Prize and New York Music Critic's Circle Award for the ballet he wrote for Martha Graham, Appalachian Spring in 1944.
Set and cast for the first production of Appalachian Spring.
Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
Shaker Variations This composition is
an arrangement of the “Simple Gifts” section of Appalachian Spring.
Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland Martha Graham and Erick
Hawkins in the first production of Appalachian Spring, 1944.
Aaron Copland’s Death
December 2, 1990: Aaron Copland died at North Tarrytown, New York.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland
What is a Shaker?
Let’s take a look…
The Shaker Religion In 1776 Mother Ann
Lee (1736-1784) and a small group of religious followers purchased land in New York and founded the first Shaker community in the United States.
Homes of Shakers, Pittsfield, MassachusettsPicture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of the Century America
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Mother Ann Lee
Was born in England in 1736. When she became a young woman, she
joined a religious known as the Shaking Quakers or Shakers.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Why were they called Shakers?
The group was named because of the ritual dancing that characterized their worship.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Group Leader
Mother Ann Lee was regarded as the group’s leader and was imprisoned several times for her beliefs.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Coming to America
In 1774, Lee led a small group of followers to America.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Picture taken from the American Memory Collection
Shaker Foundations
Simplicity Economy Charity Equality
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Shaker Followers
Shakers settled throughout New England and eventually established more than two dozen communities in eleven states.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Characteristics of Shakers
Shakers were best know for their ingenious creativity.
They were also known for their distinctive arts and crafts.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Shaker Furniture
They demonstrated precision and skill in furniture making.
Even today their furniture is viewed as valuable collectors items.
Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Shaker Tradition This is an
inspirational drawing that was given as a gift to others.
Drawn in water color and ink.
Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History
Shaker Buildings
Main Street, Shaker Village, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of-the Century America
Shaker barn, Hancock, New York
Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Creative Americans
Other Shaker Villages
Shaker Town Road, Pttsfield, Massachusetts
Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of-the-Century America
Shaker Mills, Pittsfield Massachusetts
Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of-the-Century America
Review Questions Who was the founder of the Shaker religion?
Mother Ann Lee What is another name for the Shakers
Shaking Quakers Why were they called Shakers?
The group was named because of the ritual dancing that characterized their worship
Another Question What types of things did the Shakers believe in?
Simplicity
Economy
Charity
Equality
Reflection-Journal EntryAnswer the following questions in your music
journals: Why do you think Aaron Copland based
one of his most famous works on the traditional Shaker Melody of Simple Gifts?
What would life would be like if you were a Shaker? (Describe your daily activities)