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The American Depression

Donald Macleod explores Copland's return to New York in the 1930s, where he made his name, and established his own individual style as America struggled through the depression.

Aaron Copland is the composer who, more than any other, defined the sound of American classical music. Copland's life spanned every decade of the 20th Century, and this week Donald Macleod explores the composer's life and music against the background of the events of that Century. In this episode, Copland returns to his home town of New York, where he made his name during the early 1930s. It was there he established his own individual style and a truly American sound in music, as the US struggled through the depression.

Music for Theater: Dance
Orchestra of St Lukes
Dennis Russell Davies (conductor)

Piano Variations
Emanuel Ax (piano)

El Salon Mexico
´óÏó´«Ã½ Philharmonic
John Wilson (conductor)

Billy the Kid
New York Philharmonic
Leonard Bernstein (conductor)

John Henry
London Symphony Orchestra
Aaron Copland (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Aaron Copland

    Music For The Theatre: Dance

    Performer: Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies.
    • NIMBUS NI2522.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 1.
  • Aaron Copland

    Piano Variations

    Performer: Emanuel Ax.
    • SONY : 88765420862.
    • SONY.
    • 5.
  • Aaron Copland

    El Salon Mexico

    Orchestra: ´óÏó´«Ã½ Philharmonic. Conductor: John Wilson.
    • Chandos CHSA5164.
    • Chandos.
    • 1.
  • Aaron Copland

    Billy The Kid

    Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Leonard Bernstein.
    • SONY : SMK-63082.
    • SONY.
    • 1.
  • Aaron Copland

    John Henry

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Aaron Copland.
    • SONY SM3K46559.
    • SONY.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Tue 1 May 2018 12:00

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