How Did Aaron Copland Reflect American Culture

“Americana is contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw.”( americanamusic.org)

Aaron Copland was an American composer who instilled a great sense of nationalism in the American people through his many works of music that became known as the standard of the Americana music style. He, along with many other American composers of the early 19th century, wrote music that had distinct characteristics that gave Americans a sense of pride and gave music the American sound. His music single handedly created pride in the American people during a time that was considered by many one of the worst periods in our great nation’s history.

Aaron Copland is, in my opinion, the greatest American composer of all time. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York in 1900 he was a man before his time. Copland would compose numerous pieces of music that would reflect American Culture and American History. His more famous works would incorporate jazz, which is a music that is created in America, and American folk

“Simple Gifts” the most famous song for the set of ten, is based off of a Shaker’s Hymn, this hymn was later was composed to highlight life after the Industrial Revolution. This song is very simple in nature and represents the core of American Values and most people describe this song as the celebration of America’s past present and future. The Old American songs are respected because they represent the core values of Americans both young and old. “Appalachian Spring, written earlier in his career than the Old American Songs, was a ballet written by Copland which also celebrates the American tradition.”