Aaron copeland
Aaron Copland was born on November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, and he was a composer, composition teacher, writer and conductor. He became one of the century’s foremost composers with highly influential music that had a distinctive blend of classical, folk and jazz idioms. Some of Copland’s most prominent pieces included Fanfare for the Common Man, El Salon Mexico and Appalachian Spring, for which he won the Pulitzer. The open, slowly changing harmonies of many of his works are archetypical of what many people consider to be the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit. In addition to his ballets and orchestral works, he produced music in many other genres including chamber music, vocal works, opera and film scores. |
Copland's father had no musical interest at all, but his mother, Sarah Mittenthal Copland, sang and played the piano, and arranged for music lessons for her children. Of his siblings, oldest brother Ralph was the most advanced musically, proficient on the violin, while his sister Laurine had the strongest connection with Aaron, giving him his first piano lessons, promoting his musical education, and supporting him in his musical career. By the age of 15, after attending a concert by composer-pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Copland decided to become a composer
After some initial studies with composer Rubin Goldmark on harmony, theory, and composition, Copland travelled to Paris, where he studied at first with Isidor Philipp and Paul Vidal at the Fontainebleau School of Music, then with noted pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. He studied three years with Boulanger, whose eclectic approach to music inspired his own broad taste in that area. On return to America, he was determined to become a full-time composer.
Demonstrating his broad range, Copland in the 1930s began composing music for ballet, including his highly successful Billy the Kid (1939)
Copland died on December 2, 1990.
After some initial studies with composer Rubin Goldmark on harmony, theory, and composition, Copland travelled to Paris, where he studied at first with Isidor Philipp and Paul Vidal at the Fontainebleau School of Music, then with noted pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. He studied three years with Boulanger, whose eclectic approach to music inspired his own broad taste in that area. On return to America, he was determined to become a full-time composer.
Demonstrating his broad range, Copland in the 1930s began composing music for ballet, including his highly successful Billy the Kid (1939)
Copland died on December 2, 1990.
ralph vaughan williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams was born on October 12, 1872 in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, was one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century, writing symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores considered to have a very "English" sound. He lost his father early in life and was raised by his mother, although the family was financially secure.
He was educated at Charterhouse School, then studied history and music at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later was a pupil of Stanford and Parry at the Royal College of Music. In 1897 he married Adeline Fisher and then traveled to Berlin to study with Max Bruch and in 1907–1908 took a big step forward in his orchestral style when he studied for three months in Paris with Maurice Ravel. In 1903 he was among the very first to travel into the countryside to collect folk-songs and carols from singers, notating them for future generations to enjoy. In many ways this informed his approach to composition. Vaughan Williams's composition developed slowly and it was not until he was 30 that the song "Linden Lea" became his first publication. He mixed composition with conducting, lecturing, and editing other music, notably that of Henry Purcell and the English Hymnal. |
Vaughan Williams served with the ambulance service in the first world war, an experience which deeply impacted him. He became famous for organizing choral singing and other entertainment in the trenches. He was commissioned from the ranks, ending his war service as an artillery officer. After the war he was a conductor and also professor of composition at the Royal College of Music in London. Williams was awarded the Order if Merit in 1938.
In his lifetime Williams wrote nine symphonies as well as operas and film scores, including Scott of the Antarctic. He is best known for The Lark Ascending, composed for violin and orchestra, and produced many works that gained world-wide popularity.
Williams died on 26th August, 1958, aged 87, with his ashes interred in Westminster Abbey.
In his lifetime Williams wrote nine symphonies as well as operas and film scores, including Scott of the Antarctic. He is best known for The Lark Ascending, composed for violin and orchestra, and produced many works that gained world-wide popularity.
Williams died on 26th August, 1958, aged 87, with his ashes interred in Westminster Abbey.