Reply #51: When I opined that Copland wrote "music for "repigs" [View All]

I was opining that he wrote the kind of Americana that repigs like. That includes Fanfare for the Common Man, the embarrassing Lincoln Portrait, Rodeo and other stuff that seems to be making it into more and more TV commercials. His serial music, atonal music and big form stuff (symphonies, concerti) remain unknown by most 'Murkins. Those who don't know Harry Partch from Adam can whistle Rodeo thanks to those beef commercials.

Now, Ives - there's a UNIQUE American voice. I'd love to attend a July 4th concert that featured Three Places in New England or General William Booth Enters Into Heaven or The Circus Band. But, N-O-O-O! We get that crappy FFTCM every single time! Here in Vegas, we had to suffer through FFTCM AND an abridged Lincoln Portrait on the 4th (the concert ended with the full 1812 and a medley of Sousa. Fun stuff!).

BTW - I played Rodeo (oboe) and sang in Las Agaches (sp?) under Copland back in 76 or 77. I wish I could say it was a great experience, but he was on one of those college circuit tours (different day, different college) and was so wiped out by the travel that he basically scowled his way through the rehearsal. He did manage to get it up for the show later that night and injected a little bit of life into the proceedings. But overall, he offered no insights into playing his music beyond those that our staff conductor had conveyed beforehand.