The world was a better place with Aaron Copland in it. How fortunate that one of our greatest composers lived through an era when so much could be documented on film. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, here’s a Copland cornucopia, for his birthday.

Copland conducts “El Salón México,” for his 60th

Bernstein introduces Copland’s Clarinet Concerto

Copland conducts it in L.A., with Benny Goodman the soloist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYwPJrRnGSE

Copland plays his Piano Concerto, with Bernstein conducting

Copland conducts “Appalachian Spring” in D.C. on his 80th

Copland’s 80th birthday concert (complete), hosted by Hal Holbrook; conducted by Rostropovich, Bernstein, and Copland himself. Just listening to the composer’s opening remarks… we don’t have people like this anymore.

Copland interviewed and playing the coda of “Appalachian Spring” at the piano in his studio

“Appalachian Spring,” complete 1958 television broadcast with Martha Graham

“Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait”

Seiji Ozawa conducts Copland’s arrangement of “Happy Birthday” for Bernstein’s 70th

Happy birthday, Aaron Copland!