Classic Ross Amico

Category: Daily Dispatch

Rediscovering Copland’s Genius

I am so happy to rediscover this 30-minute documentary on Aaron Copland. I remember watching it years ago. What an exciting time for American music – and for America – to say nothing of the arts in general. Not that American music does not remain vital. But Copland seems to be the last man standing, in terms of the active repertoire, of that great generation. To catch a Roy Harris or a William Schuman symphony in concert is very rare indeed.

It is the fate of even the greatest composers to be remembered through but a handful of pieces, usually from a particular phase of his or her career. In Copland’s case, it’s pretty much the cowboy music. Some people love it; some are put off by it. Cowboys aren’t exactly “in” right now, and when someone hears “I Ride an Old Paint,” they may not trouble themselves to look beyond the trappings.

But nearly everything Copland wrote is worth hearing – and I’ve heard most of it – even the misfires. Once you get to know him, his sound is immediately identifiable in anything he touched. He had vision, he had craft, and he had integrity.

I love this man, and I love his music, and I love what he did for music. Would that we had someone of his caliber today. Happy birthday, Aaron Copland.

November 14, 2019
Aaron Copland’s Musical Missteps

“If a literary man puts together two words about music, one of them will be wrong.” – Aaron Copland

A truism to which anyone who reads this page can attest.

November 14, 2019
Rediscovering Copland American Music Icon

I am so happy to rediscover this 30-minute documentary on Aaron Copland. I remember watching it years ago. What an exciting time for American music – and for America – to say nothing of the arts in general. Not that American music does not remain vital. But Copland seems to be the last man standing, in terms of the active repertoire, of that great generation. To catch a Roy Harris or a William Schuman symphony in concert is very rare indeed.

It is the fate of even the greatest composers to be remembered through but a handful of pieces, usually from a particular phase of his or her career. In Copland’s case, it’s pretty much the cowboy music. Some people love it; some are put off by it. Cowboys aren’t exactly “in” right now, and when someone hears “I Ride an Old Paint,” they may not trouble themselves to look beyond the trappings.

But nearly everything Copland wrote is worth hearing – and I’ve heard most of it – even the misfires. Once you get to know him, his sound is immediately identifiable in anything he touched. He had vision, he had craft, and he had integrity.

I love this man, and I love his music, and I love what he did for music. Would that we had someone of his caliber today. Happy birthday, Aaron Copland.

November 14, 2019
Leopold Mozart At 300 A Father’s Legacy

Music historians are often critical of Leopold Mozart, describing him as haughty, domineering, and tyrannical. But really, when you are the father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, what are you going to do?

Today is the 300th anniversary of the birth of Leopold Mozart. Leopold was a composer of some ability himself, so give him credit for possessing the good sense and enough humility to recognize that the talent of his children far eclipsed his own.

Of course, times being what they were, Nannerl didn’t get to enjoy the same professional advantages that Wolfgang did. But Leopold loved both children. He raised Nannerl’s son as his own, and one can only imagine his frustration over Wolfgang never being able to land a position commensurate with his genius.

Of his own works, Leopold’s “Toy Symphony” remains popular – although it was long attributed to Haydn – as does his “Musical Sleigh-Ride.” But his Trumpet Concerto must be among his very best.

Movt. I, Adagio

Movt. II, Allegro

Happy birthday, and best wishes in your fourth century, Leopold Mozart.

November 14, 2019
Rediscovering Copland American Music Icon

I am so happy to rediscover this 30-minute documentary on Aaron Copland. I remember watching it years ago. What an exciting time for American music – and for America – to say nothing of the arts in general. Not that American music does not remain vital. But Copland seems to be the last man standing, in terms of the active repertoire, of that great generation. To catch a Roy Harris or a William Schuman symphony in concert is very rare indeed.

It is the fate of even the greatest composers to be remembered through but a handful of pieces, usually from a particular phase of his or her career. In Copland’s case, it’s pretty much the cowboy music. Some people love it; some are put off by it. Cowboys aren’t exactly “in” right now, and when someone hears “I Ride an Old Paint,” they may not trouble themselves to look beyond the trappings.

But nearly everything Copland wrote is worth hearing – and I’ve heard most of it – even the misfires. Once you get to know him, his sound is immediately identifiable in anything he touched. He had vision, he had craft, and he had integrity.

I love this man, and I love his music, and I love what he did for music. Would that we had someone of his caliber today. Happy birthday, Aaron Copland.

November 14, 2019

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