On this date in 1945, Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” became the third recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The announcement came on V-E Day. Purely by chance, this American classic was honored as the Allies celebrated victory in Europe.
Few Pulitzer Prize winners have endured as repertory pieces. Probably a handful at best. How many are actually known to the average concertgoer? Sure, the operas of Gian Carlo Menotti and Robert Ward get revived from time to time, and Jennifer Higdon has been exceptionally fortunate for a composer in her prime. But most Pulitzer winners tend to languish in relative obscurity.
The 21st century has been a little kinder, with at least ten of the recipients garnering a respectable number of performances. But there have been some real eyebrow-raisers too.
This year’s Prizes will be announced this afternoon at 3:00 EDT. You can catch the livestream at http://www.pulitzer.org.
2022 Pulitzer winner, “Voiceless Mass” by Raven Chacon
Aaron Copland conducts his 1945 winner, “Appalachian Spring,” at 80
The complete list of past recipients, including additional citations
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