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Aaron Copland Quotes

Powerful Aaron Copland for Daily Growth

About Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland (1900-1990), an eminent figure in American classical music, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 14, 1900. His early musical education began with lessons from his mother, a piano teacher. At age ten, he enrolled at the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied harmony and counterpoint. Influenced by the modernist European composers like Stravinsky and Debussy, Copland developed a unique style that blended American folk music with a contemporary classical sensibility. This fusion is notably displayed in his early works such as 'Billy the Kid' (1938) and 'Rodeo' (1942), both ballets that incorporated traditional cowboy tunes into their scores. A significant turning point in Copland's career was his collaboration with choreographer Martha Graham, starting from 1925. Their partnership yielded seminal works like 'Appalachian Spring' (1944), a ballet that would win him the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1945. During World War II, Copland wrote music intended to boost morale and support the war effort. One such piece was the iconic 'Fanfare for the Common Man' (1942), dedicated to the " Democracy for which our armed forces are now risking their lives." Throughout his life, Copland remained active in promoting American contemporary music. He served as a professor at various institutions, including Tanglewood Music Center and Harvard University. In 1960, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by John F. Kennedy. Aaron Copland passed away on December 2, 1990, leaving behind an indelible mark on American music with his distinctive blend of tradition and modernism. His works continue to be celebrated worldwide as enduring symbols of American spirit and identity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I want to write music that is American in its character."

Aaron Copland's quote signifies a desire to compose music that reflects the unique spirit, culture, and identity of America. This aim was not about creating a generic "American sound," but rather infusing his compositions with elements inspired by American landscapes, traditions, and values, thereby giving voice to the nation's essence in musical form.

"The task of the composer is to write good music."

This quote by Aaron Copland, an influential American composer, emphasizes the essential purpose and responsibility of a composer: to create good music. In essence, it highlights that the primary goal for a composer should be to produce high-quality compositions that resonate with listeners, rather than focusing on other factors such as commercial success or adherence to specific stylistic trends. This view underscores Copland's commitment to artistic integrity and the importance of creating music that moves people emotionally and intellectually.

"Music, like a pendulum, oscillates between too much and not enough."

Aaron Copland's quote suggests that music, much like a pendulum, has a natural tendency to fluctuate between extremes – going from too complex or excessive to overly simple or sparse. This oscillation is essential for maintaining balance and creating a rich and dynamic musical experience.

"In a very real sense, it can be said that the United States, with its materialistic emphasis, has forgotten the value of art as a means of emotional catharsis and spiritual release."

Aaron Copland suggests that in the pursuit of material success, the United States may have overlooked the significant role of art as an outlet for emotional expression and spiritual growth. Art serves not just as an aesthetic entity but also as a means to process emotions and seek spiritual understanding, which can be crucial for personal well-being and societal harmony.

"My aim is to put over a spiritual idea, and in doing so I am using materials which I have picked up in my environment."

This quote by Aaron Copland signifies his intention to convey a profound, spiritual concept through his music, utilizing materials (themes, sounds, rhythms) drawn from his personal experiences and cultural surroundings. Essentially, he believes that art, in this case music, has the power to express abstract ideas and emotions rooted in one's environment, thereby connecting listeners to a shared human experience.

A melody is not merely something you can hum.

- Aaron Copland

Something, Melody, Merely, Hum

So long as the human spirit thrives on this planet, music in some living form will accompany and sustain it and give it expressive meaning.

- Aaron Copland

Living, Give, Some, Accompany

Inspiration may be a form of super-consciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness I wouldn't know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

- Aaron Copland

May, Sure, Antithesis, Self-Consciousness

To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.

- Aaron Copland

Music, Inconceivable, Itself, Flow

You compose because you want to somehow summarize in some permanent form your most basic feelings about being alive, to set down... some sort of permanent statement about the way it feels to live now, today.

- Aaron Copland

Alive, Some, Feels, Feelings

The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?' My answer to that would be, 'No.'

- Aaron Copland

Words, Asking, Yes, Simply

If a literary man puts together two words about music, one of them will be wrong.

- Aaron Copland

Words, Will, Literary, Puts

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