Aaron Copland composer / arranger

Aaron Copland born 14.11.1900 in Brooklyn (New York), is considered one of the typical American composers of our time. Copland began his musical career with Rubin Goldmark in New York (piano and composition). In 1921 he moved to Paris to study with Nadya Juliette Boulanger, a respected music teacher and composer. In 1924 Copland returned to New York, where he gave concerts of works by contemporary composers with the composer Roger Sessions. He lectured at the New School for Social Research in New York from 1927 to 1944 and at Harvard University between 1935 and 1944 and 1951/52. He was also entrusted with numerous organisational posts.

His compositional oeuvre includes three symphonies, numerous pieces of music, music for plays, instrumental works and songs, as well as musical arrangements for such successful film productions as "Of Mice and Men", based on the novel "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck from 1939, "Our Town" (original by Th. Wilder), "North Star" (1943) or "The Red Pony" 1948.

Through the simple, clear and generally understandable form of his works, as well as the inclusion of typical jazz characteristics, especially during his early years, Copland opened the way to a wide range of audiences.