19 Oct 2019

COPLAND: Symphony No 3

From Music Alive, 8:00 pm on 19 October 2019
Marc Taddei

Marc Taddei Photo: Screenshot SOUNZ

Aaron Copland’s 'Symphony No 3' was completed in 1946.

This end-of-war piece expresses the euphoric spirit of America at the time and appealed to many through the themes he used from other contexts including moments from his ballet 'Appalachian Spring' (second movement). His popular 'Fanfare for the Common Man', written to boost morale in 1942, is hinted at throughout and appears more fully expressed in the final movement.

Copland had a knack for capturing the essence of the land and its people, from rural charm to the Wild West and for this reason, composer Virgil Thompson called Copland 'the president of American music'.

Recorded 19 October 2019 in Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert

Producer/Sound engineer: Darryl Stack

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