大象传媒

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Aaron Copland through the prism of five key relationships, without which his musical career might have gone very differently.

Donald Macleod begins by exploring the role played in Copland's life by the Russian-born conductor Serge Koussevitzky, a musical entrepreneur of great charm, energy and dedication. He provided Copland with his first big break, and continued to commission major works from him thereafter.

Then, Copland's friendship with Mexican composer Carlos Chavez - an extraordinary meeting of minds and interests that endured for more than 50 years. They hit it off immediately after their first meeting, and Copland's first visit to Mexico transformed his music, feeding into a number of his works, including the successful El Salon Mexico.

Next, Donald Macleod considers Copland's relationship with Hollywood, where he contributed a number of significant film scores. The composer got his foot in the door there in the late 1930s, with his music for a small documentary called The City, which brought him an invitation to score the film version of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.

Finally, Macleod explores Copland's relationship with the irrepressible Leonard Bernstein, an acolyte who became a fast friend and ultimately a vital musical conduit. Bernstein was a great admirer of Copland's fiercely aggressive Piano Variations and gave a memorable performance of the work at a party after the two first met.

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